Corn Protein Research Articles

Effects of Different Corn Protein Sources and Level on Nursery Pig Growth Performance and Feed Efficiency

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of 3 corn protein sources added at the expense of other specialty protein sources or corn on nursery pig growth performance and feed efficiency (F/G), and economic return. A total of 315 pigs (241 × 600; DNA, Columbus, NE; initially 12.1 lb) were used in a 35-d growth trial. There were 5 pigs per pen and 9 replicates per treatment. The treatments were struc­tured as a randomized complete block design and arranged in a 3×2+1 factorial with main effects of corn protein source (CP1, CP2, and CP3; Cargill Inc., Blair, NE) and level (5 or 10%) plus a control diet. Treatment diets were fed in 2 phases (phase 1: d 0 to 7; phase 2: d 7 to 21) with a common diet fed from d 21 to 35. In phase 1, protein sources were added at the expense of fish meal in the 5% inclusion diets and replaced both fish meal and enzymatically treated soybean meal (HP300) for the 10% inclu­sion diets. In phase 2, protein sources were added at the expense of fish meal in the 5% inclusion diets, and both fish meal and corn in the 10% inclusion diets. All diets were fed in pellet form throughout the trial. In the treatment period (d 0 to 21), increasing corn protein sources decreased (linear, P < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI). Feed efficiency worsened (linear, P < 0.05) when pigs were fed increasing CP1 or CP2 and tended to worsen (linear, P < 0.10) when fed increasing CP3. The growth performance was poorest when the 10% level of the corn protein sources were fed with the 5% level of CP2 or CP3, eliciting similar performance to the control-fed pigs. Pigs fed CP1 had decreased (P < 0.05) ADG and ADFI compared to those fed CP2 or CP3. The poorer growth performance of pigs fed CP1 resulted in lower d 21 body weight (BW) (P < 0.05) compared to those fed CP2 or CP3. There was no evidence of any difference between pigs fed CP2 and CP3 on all growth perfor­mance criteria throughout the treatment period. In the common period (d 21 to 35), compensatory growth and feed intake were observed, but final BW was still lower when pigs were fed diets with any of the corn protein sources compared to pigs fed the control

Improving Performance of Finishing Pigs with Added Valine, Isoleucine, and Tryptophan: Validating a Meta-Analysis Model

Based on a recent meta-analysis, we hypothesized that increased dietary Val, Ile, or Trp could correct possible amino acid interactions caused by high dietary Leu in diets containing high levels of corn protein, namely dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). A total of 1,200 pigs (PIC TR4 × (Fast LW × PIC L02); initially 74.0 ± 1.38 lb) were used in a 103-d study. The 6 dietary treatments were corn-soybean meal- DDGS-based diets as follows: 1) low level of Lys-HCl (HSBM), 2) high Lys-HCl and moderate Ile, Val, Trp (NC; AA above NRC4 estimates), 3) moderate Lys-HCl and high Ile, Val, Trp (PC), and 4) PC with either increased L-Val (PC+Val), 5) L-Ile (PC+Ile), or 6) L-Trp (PC+Trp). Diets contained 30% DDGS until pigs reached approximately 217 lb, and then pigs were fed diets with 20% DDGS until market. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design using the lmer function in the lme4 package in R with pen considered as the experimental unit, body weight, and pen location as a blocking factor, and treatment as a fixed effect with 10 replicates/treatment.

PSIX-34 Effects of corn protein concentrate level in the diets of the weanling piglet on performance, nitrogen balance, visceral organ mass and blood parameters

Abstract An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of corn protein concentrate (CPC) levels on performance, nitrogen digestibility, blood parameters, and visceral organ mass by newly weaned piglets. Forty piglets (6. 9 kg ± 1.2 kg of live weight) were allotted to 4 dietary treatments in a completely randomized block design. Piglets were fed individually 1 of 4 experimental diets containing different CPC levels (0%, 5%, 10% or 15%) during 44 d. Performance parameters were measured weekly. Total fecal and urine samples were collected on d 33 of the experiment for 4 consecutive days to determine N balance. At the end of the feeding period, blood samples were collected to measure blood parameters, and animals were slaughter to determine visceral organ mass. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block designed using PROC MIXED in SAS. Final BW tended to decrease linearly (P = 0.065) as dietary CPC level increased. Overall, ADG tended to decrease linearly (P = 0.065), and ADFI was significantly reduced (P = 0. 038) as dietary CPC level increased. Nevertheless, FCR was not by dietary treatment (P = 0.1872). There were no differences on nitrogen intake, retention and digestibility across dietary treatments (P &amp;gt; 0. 407). However, there was a tendency to decrease linearly N excretion on urine as CPC increased in the diet. Hematocrit and Serum Urea-N were linearly increased and reduced, respectively as CPC increased in the diet (P &amp;lt; 0. 027). Empty BW at d 44 tended to linearly reduce as CPC increased. Pancreas weight was reduced by inclusion of CPC (linearly; P = 0. 005). In summary, it was demonstrated that, when CPC replaced partially traditional protein sources up to 5% of the diet, performance and N status of the animal are not altered. However, caution should be taken with higher levels of inclusion.

PSIX-33 Effects of corn protein concentrate levels on egg production and egg quality parameters of commercial layers

Abstract This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of corn protein concentrate (CPC) levels in the diets on laying performance, and egg quality of laying hens. A total of 180 64-wk-old laying hens (2.05 kg ± 0.19 kg of live weight) were randomly assigned to 36 cages (5 birds/cage) with separate feeders, including 6 dietary treatments. Birds were fed 1 of 6 experimental diets containing CPC at different levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 or 2.5%) for 10 weeks. Diets were isocaloric (2850 Mcal/kg) and isonitrogenous (CP, 15.0%), having similar digestible amino acid profile. Hens were weighed at the beginning and at the end of the experiment to determine BW change. Egg production, feed consumption and egg weight were recorded daily, while egg quality variables were evaluated every 14 days. Data were analyzed using the general linear model procedure of SAS in a complete randomized design. The cage was considered the experimental unit. Linear and quadratic effects of treatment were used for mean separation and significance was declared at P ≤ 0.05. Hens fed CPC maintained BW and gain at an increased rate (Quadraic: P &amp;lt; 0.01). Feed intake increased as CPC increased in the diet (Lineal and quadratic: P &amp;lt; 0.01). Egg production, mass and weight were increased as CPC increased in the diet (Quadraic: P &amp;lt; 0.01). Feed conversion rate was improved as CPC increased in the diet (Lineal and Quadraic: P &amp;lt; 0.02). Shell thickness and breaking strength tended to linearly increased as CPC increased in the diet (P &amp;lt; 0.06). Albumen height and Haugh unit were not altered by dietary treatment (P &amp;gt; 0.25). Yolk color was increased as CPC increased in the diet (P &amp;lt; 0.01). Results from this experiment suggest addition of up to 2.5% CPC in the diet enhances egg production and some parameters of egg quality.

Mango (Mangifera indica) seed kernels as untraditional source of energy in Rahmani sheep rations

BackgroundThe present work aimed to investigate the impact of partial replacement yellow corn by mango seed kernels (MSK) at different levels of (0, 25, and 50%) on feed and water consumption, water metabolism, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, and rumen fluid parameters.MethodsTwelve mature male Rahmani sheep of about 58.39 ± 1.22 kg live body weight on average were used to investigate the influence of replacing yellow corn contents (45% in the control ration) by mango seed kernels (MSK) at different levels (0, 25, and 50%) that equal (0, 11.25, and 22.5% of total ration contents) on feed and water intakes, water metabolism, nutrient digestibility coefficients, nitrogen utilization, and some rumen fluid parameters. The animals were randomly assigned to three experimental groups (four animals in each treatment). Sheep fed rations are composed of 50% concentrate feed mixture (CFM) and 50% peanut vein hay (PVH) at portion 3% dry matter (DM) of live body weight (LBW).ResultsThe results showed that values of crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) of MSK and yellow corn were similar. Meanwhile, MSK has superior ether extract content compared to yellow corn; meanwhile, ash content of yellow corn was lower than ash content of MSK. All tested CFM were isonitrogenous (16.17% CP), but it differs in their contents of gross and digestible energy. On the other hand, all experimental total mixed rations (TMR) were isonitrogenous (14.52% CP) and isocaloric (4177 kcal/kg DM in average). Dietary treatments significantly (P < 0.05) decreased total dry matter intake (DMI) and crude protein intake (CPI) that expressed as (g/h/day, g/kgW0.75, and kg/100 kg LBW) or gross energy intake (GEI) and digestible energy intake (DEI) that expressed as (Mcal/h/day, kcal/kgW0.75, and Mcal/100 kg LBW). Inclusion MSK in sheep ration insignificantly (P > 0.05) increased drinking water by 20% and 6.89% for experimental groups fed TMR2 and TMR3, respectively, compared to the control one (TMR1). Incorporation MSK in the rations significantly (P < 0.05) increased insensible losses of water. Dietary treatments significantly (P < 0.05) increased nutrient digestibility coefficients of DM, organic matter (OM), CP, CF, and NFE. Meanwhile, it significantly (P < 0.05) decreased EE digestibility. On the other hand, both values of total digestible nutrient (TDN) and digestible crude protein (DCP) were significantly (P < 0.005) improved. Nitrogen retention (NR) (NR % of nitrogen intake (NI) and NR % of digested nitrogen (DN)) values were significantly (P < 0.05) increased with increasing level of MSK in the sheep ration. Inclusion MSK significantly (P < 0.05) increased ruminal pH; however, it had no significant (P > 0.05) on both ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) and total volatile fatty acid (TFVA) concentrations. Sampling time at 3 h post feeding significantly (P < 0.05) decreased ruminal pH in comparison with before and 6 h post feeding; meanwhile, sampling time had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on NH3-N concentration. Dietary treatment significantly (P < 0.05) increased the interaction between treatments and sampling time for ruminal pH. However, no interaction between treatments and sampling time was observed for both NH3-N and TVFA concentrations.ConclusionThe present results revealed that replacement up to 50% of yellow corn by MSK as alternative source of energy could be useful in feeding sheep without any adverse effect on digestion and fermentation processing. Also, it can be used to depress the rations cost.

Evaluating the cytocompatibility and differentiation of bone progenitors on electrospun zein scaffolds.

Bone fractures often result in complications that require surgical intervention to promote fracture healing. Tissue engineering seeks to alleviate the need for autologous bone grafting by utilizing scaffolds that can promote bone fracture healing. Plant-derived materials are desirable biomaterials because of their biodegradability, availability, and low immunogenicity. Among various plant-derived proteins, zein, which is a corn protein, has shown promise for bone repair. However, when processed, zein is often blended with synthetic materials to improve mechanical properties and overall hydrolytic stability. In this study, pure zein was electrospun to create fibrous scaffolds and cross-linked with trimethylolpropane triglycidyl ether to improve hydrolytic stability. Scaffolds were characterized and evaluated in vitro for promoting the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells, which are bone progenitor cells. Cross-linked zein scaffolds retained their uniform fiber morphologies after hydration. MC3T3-E1 cells grew and differentiated on the zein scaffolds even in the absence of induction factors, as demonstrated by increased alkaline phosphatase activity, mineralization, and early upregulation of Runx2 gene expression, a transcription factor associated with osteoblast differentiation. These studies demonstrate that stable, zein fibrous scaffolds could have potential for use in bone repair applications.

Synergistic effects of plant protein hydrolysates and xanthan gum on the short- and long-term retrogradation of rice starch

Controlling and delaying the retrogradation of gelatinized rice starch (GRS) can improve the quality of GRS-based foods during storage. Here, we evaluated the influence of corn protein hydrolysates (CPHs), rice protein hydrolysates (RPHs), wheat protein hydrolysates (WPHs), and soybean protein hydrolysates (SPHs) on inhibiting the short- and long- term retrogradation of RS-xanthan gum mixtures. Compared with WPHs, RPHs, CPHs, the SPHs cooperating with xanthan gum (SPHs-XT) showed the highest inhibitory effect. The increased loss tangent (tan δ) in the dynamic viscoelastic measurement suggested that SPHs-XT enhanced the liquid-like properties of GRS gel. The decreased storage modulus (G') and the reduced setback value indicated that the short-term retrogradation of GRS was restrained by SPHs-XT. Meanwhile, during a 14-day storage at 4 °C, the hardness of GRS gel was significantly decreased from 1382.5 g to 201.4 g after the addition of SPHs-XT before storage determined by using a texture profile analysis (TPA), and the relative crystallinity of the retrograded GRS was decreased from 18.18% to 8.15% determined by using a X-ray diffraction (XRD) with a corresponding decrease of the retrogradation enthalpy determined by using a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). These results suggested that SPHs-XT could inhibit the the long-term retrogradation of GRS. Moreover, the water molecules were determined to be locked in GRS gel after the addition of SPHs-XT by using a low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR). In addition, thin membranes and filaments formed by the addition of SPHs-XT in GRS gel were observed by using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM), suggesting a decreased cross-linking of GRS molecules by the addition of SPHs-XT to form ordered structures. These results indicated that the addition of SPHs-XT is a potential to inhibit the short- and long-term retrogradation of GRS and further to improve the nutrition of the GRS based products.

Corn protein hydrolysate as a new structural modifier for soybean protein isolate based O/W emulsions

In the work, a new approach to modify the structure of soybean protein isolate (SPI) stabilized oil in water (O/W) emulsions based on peptides induced protein aggregation was reported.The results indicated that corn protein hydrolysate (CPH) considerably changed the physical characteristics of the SPI stabilized emulsions under the heating conditions, and the emulsions changed from flow state to semi-solid one with the increasing of CPH in CPH/SPI mixture. The results from microstructure investigation showed that more SPI molecules were adsorbed at the O/W interface and the interfacial thickness could increase due to the presence of CPH. Moreover, the study on rheological behavior showed that the apparent viscosity, viscoelasticity and thixotropic properties of the emulsions all could be modified by controlling CPH content. The structural changes of SPI-based emulsions may be attributed to the hydrophobic interactions of CPH and SPI under heating treatment, and CPH may have enhanced SPI molecular connection (at the interface or aqueous phase) through the unfolded hydrophobic locus. These findings suggested that protein hydrolysate could be used as a new structural modifier for native protein stabilized emulsions.

Parenteral re-exposure to an immunologically tolerated protein up to 6h after skin injuries improves wound healing in diabetic mice

IntroductionOral tolerance is an immunological phenomenon defined by specific inhibition of immune responses to proteins contacted by the oral route. However, parenteral re-exposure to orally-tolerated proteins has systemic effects that reduce inflammation to unrelated agents injected soon afterward. Chronic skin wounds are major complications for diabetic patients, which may be related with pro-inflammatory conditions in the wound bed, as well as with impaired angiogenesis. We used a mouse-model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes to test whether injection of a regular dietary protein (zein) concomitantly with skin lesions reduces wound bed inflammation and improves wound healing in diabetic mice. MethodsC57BL/6 mice fed a standard chow containing zein (corn protein) were turned diabetic by streptozotocin injection. Two full skin thickness excisional wounds were created on the dorsum of anaesthetized mice. Experimental groups received one i.p. injection of 10 μg zein in adjuvant, 10 min before or 6 h after wounding and were sacrificed 7 and 40 days thereafter. Skin samples were processed and examined macroscopically and microscopically. ResultsIntraperitoneal injection of zein either before or after skin injuries, reduced the number of leukocytes (CD45+ cells) and of myofibroblasts, increased the number of alternatively activated (M2) macrophages, increased the expression transforming-growth factor (TGF)-β3 and rescued angiogenesis in the wound bed of diabetic mice. Zein treatment reduced the scar area and improved the organization of collagen fibers in the neodermis. ConclusionParenteral re-exposure to a protein previously contacted by the oral route concomitantly with or 6 h after skin injuries reduces wound inflammation and improves wound healing in diabetic mice.

Strong Adhesives from Corn Protein and Tannic Acid

AbstractModern society is in great need of environmentally sustainable and low‐cost alternatives to some petroleum derived adhesives. To allow recycling and avoid pollution, adhesives for single use products including packaging are of particular interest. Potential candidates for such applications are the adhesive formulations of corn zein protein and tannic acid presented here. High strength adhesive bonding is found when the formulations are optimized with regard to composition, pH, and curing temperature. Bonding is tested on aluminum substrates using lap shear configurations. Adhesion strengths exceed the minimal bonding of zein‐only controls. Maximum adhesion for zein and tannic acid is as strong as commercial Super Glue when measured under similar conditions. The system forms nanometer and micrometer sized pores throughout the bulk adhesive. A low amount of tannic acid and neutral pH of the strongest adhesive make the corn zein–tannic acid system potentially appealing for cost efficient adhesives used in packaging, cosmetics, and other single use applications where biomedical grade purity is not required.

Physical chemical study of zein and arabinogalactans or glucuronomannans polyelectrolyte complexes and their film-forming properties

Four gum exudates, the arabinogalactans gum Acacia (GA) and Acacia mearnsii gum (GN) and the glucuronomannans gum Ghatti (GG) and Vochysia thyrsoidea gum (VT) were used to obtain polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) with zein, a corn protein. GA and GG are commercially available, whereas GN and VT are obtained from Brazilian trees. The polysaccharides differ in their monosaccharide composition and protein content. The PECs were prepared by desolvation or nanoprecipitation methods, therefore the type of gum and the preparation method were related to the PECs physical chemical properties and their film-forming characteristics. The higher yields of complexation were obtained by desolvation, which also lead to the larger aggregates due to the diffusion impairments inherent to this method. The different chemical properties of polysaccharides influenced the yielding of complexation. The spatial availability of uronic acid units contributed to make GG the best pair for zein, followed by VT, GN, and GA, according to the carbohydrate coacervation yield. Concerning the protein yield, PECs with GA retained more zein, followed by GG, GN, and VT. Despite all PECs presented good film-forming properties, the glucuronomannans formed the most homogeneous ones. The films surface energies were obtained by the Lifshitz-van der Waals/Lewis acid-base (LWAB) model, being possible to predict that these coatings would adhere more favorably to strawberry, independently of the polysaccharide used. Therefore, it was demonstrated that the polysaccharides extracted from A. mearnsii and V. thyrsoidea trees can be used in multicomponent edible coatings as their commercial analogues, respectively gum Arabic and gum Ghatti.

Use of plant‐based protein concentrates as replacement for fishmeal in practical diets for the Pacific white shrimp ( Litopenaeus vannamei ) reared under high stocking density and low salinity conditions

Two feeding trials were conducted to investigate the effect of replacing fishmeal with a combination of soy and corn protein concentrate (1:1 ratio) on growth performance of the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). A basal diet containing 200 g/kg fishmeal was systematically reduced (200, 150, 100, 50 and 0 g/kg) with protein concentrate on an isonitrogenous basis. Additionally, two diets containing 0 or 50 g/kg fishmeal were supplemented with lysine and methionine to evaluate possible limitations in EAAs. Each diet was randomly fed to five replicate tanks (15 shrimp per 75 L aquaria) reared in an indoor clear water system (Trial 1), or four replicate circular tanks (100 shrimp per 800 L) reared in outdoor green water system (Trial 2). In trial 1, results indicated a slight decrease in shrimp performance as fishmeal was replaced at the highest levels. Meanwhile, the supplementation of lysine and methionine to the diets did not result in shifts in survival, growth or FCR. In trial 2, there were no significant differences in growth performance across the tested diets. This study demonstrated that plant‐based protein concentrates can be used to replace fishmeal in practical shrimp diet in clear and green water under high stocking density.

Effects of toxic baits and food-based attractants for fruit flies on the parasitoid Fopius arisanus (Sonan) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of toxic baits and attractants for fruit flies on the biology of its parasitoid Fopius arisanus. We tested two food-based attractants; hydrolysed corn protein (Biofruit® 3%) and sugarcane molasses (7%), their mixtures with spinosad and malathion-based insecticides, and a ready-to-use commercial bait (Success 0.02 CB®). Malathion-based lures were used as references for mortality (i.e., positive control), while negative control was honey. The formulations Biofruit® + malathion (T1), molasses + malathion (T2), and spinosad + molasses (T3) were toxic to F. arisanus, being classified as harmful (class 4). In addition, toxic baits composed of Biofruit + spinosad (T4) reduced parasitism by 97.99%, being rated as moderately harmful (class 3). Yet, Success 0.02 CB® (T7) was considered slightly toxic (class 2), causing a 64.55% reduction in parasitism. Regarding the biological parameters of F. arisanus, offspring number and parasitoid longevity were significantly reduced by using hydrolysed protein attractants when compared to the control (honey). However, sugarcane molasses improved parasitoid reproduction and longevity, as did the honey. Lastly, ingestion tests showed the major role of attractants in toxic-bait formulations against F. arisanus.

Design and mechanistic understanding of graphene oxide reinforced zein nanocomposites with improved mechanical, barrier and thermal properties

Graphene oxide (GO)-based zein nanocomposite films with superior mechanical, barrier and thermal properties were fabricated by incorporating GO nanoparticles into corn protein zein (Z), through the solvent casting process. The study offers a mechanistic understanding of the effect of graphene oxide nanofiller on the physicochemical properties of zein. TEM of the zein–graphene oxide (Z–GO) nanocomposites showed uniform dispersion of GO sheets up to 1%GO loading. Mechanisms for Z–GO nanocomposite formation through covalent and noncovalent bonding are developed based on FTIR, FT-Raman and DSC results. At only 3% loading, the Young’s modulus of a nanocomposite film increased by 300% and tensile strength increased by 80%. The increases in mechanical property improvements are accompanied by surface roughness increases as indicated by AFM studies. Even though GO is hydrophilic, the Z–GO nanocomposite films showed hydrophobic tendencies. The amount and degree of exfoliation of GO as well as the relative orientation of GO nanoparticles within the zein film all play an important role in the physical property changes of the film. The films became less permeable with increasing amounts of GO addition, as shown by water vapor permeability tests. GO increased thermal stability as shown by TGA.

Assessment of grain quality in terms of functional group response to elevated [CO2], water, and nitrogen using a meta-analysis: Grain protein, zinc, and iron under future climate.

The increasing [CO2] in the atmosphere increases crop productivity. However, grain quality of cereals and pulses are substantially decreased and consequently compromise human health. Meta‐analysis techniques were employed to investigate the effect of elevated [CO2] (e[CO2]) on protein, zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) concentrations of major food crops (542 experimental observations from 135 studies) including wheat, rice, soybean, field peas, and corn considering different levels of water and nitrogen (N). Each crop, except soybean, had decreased protein, Zn, and Fe concentrations when grown at e[CO2] concentration (≥550 μmol/mol) compared to ambient [CO2] (a[CO2]) concentration (≤380 μmol/mol). Grain protein, Zn, and Fe concentrations were reduced under e[CO2]; however, the responses of protein, Zn, and Fe concentrations to e[CO2] were modified by water stress and N. There was an increase in Fe concentration in soybean under medium N and wet conditions but nonsignificant. The reductions in protein concentrations for wheat and rice were ~5%–10%, and the reductions in Zn and Fe concentrations were ~3%–12%. For soybean, there was a small and nonsignificant increase of 0.37% in its protein concentration under medium N and dry water, while Zn and Fe concentrations were reduced by ~2%–5%. The protein concentration of field peas decreased by 1.7%, and the reductions in Zn and Fe concentrations were ~4%–10%. The reductions in protein, Zn, and Fe concentrations of corn were ~5%–10%. Bias in the dataset was assessed using a regression test and rank correlation. The analysis indicated that there are medium levels of bias within published meta‐analysis studies of crops responses to free‐air [CO2] enrichment (FACE). However, the integration of the influence of reporting bias did not affect the significance or the direction of the [CO2] effects.

Ileal digestibility of amino acids in corn condensed distiller’s solubles and whole stillage for pigs

The immense growth in global bioethanol production has greatly increased the supply of by-products such as whole stillage and condensed distiller’s solubles, which could be potentially used for animal feeding. The objective of this experiment was to determine apparent ileal digestibility coefficients (AID) and standardized ileal digestibility coefficients (SID) of crude protein and amino acids in corn condensed distiller’s solubles (CCDS) and corn whole stillage (CWS) when fed to pigs. A total of 18 finishing barrows with an average initial body weight 79.4 ± 4.5 kg and a simple T cannula in the distal ileum were used in this experiment. Two test diets were formulated with CCDS or CWS as the sole source of amino acids, and a nitrogen free diet was used for estimation of basal ileal endogenous losses of crude protein and amino acids. The direct procedure was employed for calculation of AID and SID in the two by-products. Compared with CWS, CCDS had higher SID of crude protein (0.864 vs. 0.796; P = 0.03) and lysine (0.821 vs. 0.743, P = 0.10), but lower SID of methionine (0.730 vs. 0.831, P = 0.009), and similar SID of threonine (0.762 vs. 0.710, P = 0.26), tryptophan (0.862 vs. 0.863, P = 0.98), and cysteine (0.675 vs. 0.686, P = 0.74). The information generated from this experiment can be used for formulation of swine diets containing these two ethanol by-products.

Does the surrounding vegetation influence the fruit fly assemblage in guava orchards?

This study aimed to evaluate how the surrounding vegetation affects the assemblage of fruit flies. For this, flies were collected in guava orchards with distinct types of surrounding vegetation (exotic pasture, native forest and fruit tree intercropping). The experiment was conducted in Itaporã and Dourados, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Weekly samples were collected from March to April 2015. McPhail traps were baited with 5% hydrolyzed corn protein. Species richness, diversity index and abundance were evaluated for each orchard, as well as the species composition of fruit fly between the environments surrounding the orchard and, finally, the sex ratio. A total of 579 individuals were collected of the species Anastrepha fraterculus, A. montei, A. obliqua, A. sororcula, A. striata, A. turpiniae and A. zenildae. The orchard surrounded by native forest had the highest species richness and Shannon diversity. The species composition differed between environments, with the formation of three distinct groups. The environment surrounding the guava orchard influences the richness, diversity, abundance and sex ratio of fruit flies, indicating that the native forest may provide more resources for the maintenance of these insects.

Evaluation of the History of Safe Use of the Maize ZMM28 Protein.

The ZMM28 protein encoded by the zmm28 gene is endogenous to maize. DP202216 maize was genetically modified to increase and extend expression of the zmm28 gene relative to native zmm28 gene expression, resulting in plants with enhanced grain yield potential. Evaluation of the history of safe use (HOSU) is one component of the safety assessment framework for a newly expressed protein in a GM crop. The deduced amino acid sequence of the introduced ZMM28 protein in DP202216 maize is identical to the ZMM28 protein in nonmodified conventional maize. The ZMM28 protein has also been found in selected varieties of sweet corn kernels, and closely related proteins are found in other commonly consumed food crops. Concentrations of the ZMM28 protein in event DP202216 maize, conventional maize, and sweet corn are reported. This information supports, in part, the evaluation of HOSU, which can be leveraged in the safety assessment of the ZMM28 protein. Additional studies will be considered in the food and feed safety assessment of the DP202216 maize event.

An Enhanced Stability Nanoparticle Preparation by Corn Protein Hydrolysate-Carboxymethyl Chitosan Maillard Conjugates Loaded with Rutin.

Rutin-loaded corn protein hydrolysate-carboxymethyl chitosan (CPH-NOCC) Maillard conjugate nanoparticles (NPs) with superior stability under different NaCl concentrations (0-0.25 mol/L) and pH levels (7.0 to 3.0) were investigated. Results showed that the degree of glycosylation of 53.3%, browning index of 0.6, and SDS-PAGE lane of CPH-NOCC conjugates were obtained after dry heating for 48 hr (60 °C, 79% RH). The high encapsulation efficiency (EE, 97.8%-98.8%) and CPH-NOCC-rutin (98.8%) was significantly higher than CPH-rutin (97.8%) and CPH/NOCC-rutin (98.4%) NPs illustrated that hydrolysis was positive for zein encapsulation, and conjugation of NOCC to CPH increased the EE. Hairy carbohydrate protrusions on the surface of CPH-NOCC-rutin NPs produced a stronger steric effect and hampered the formation of salt bridges and the particle aggregation under CPH isoelectric point at pH 4.0. Therefore, the CPH-NOCC conjugate NPs may be suitable carrier for hydrophobic bioactive substances in a board range of business foodstuffs.

Changes in peptidomes and Fischer ratios of corn-derived oligopeptides depending on enzyme hydrolysis approaches

Enzyme hydrolysis of corn gluten meal (CGM) is a promising process to prepare oligopeptides with high Fischer ratios (HFOPs). However, the relationship between Fischer ratios and enzyme hydrolysis approaches remains poorly understood. In this study, peptidomes of varying corn protein hydrolysates (CPHs) before and after activated carbon adsorption were profiled and analyzed according to sequence composition and chain length. Fischer ratios of HFOPs depended on sequences in CPHs by differing enzyme hydrolysis approaches, especially branched-chain amino acid (BCAA)-aromatic amino acid (AAA)-containing-oligopeptides. Activated carbon adsorption increased BCAA-containing-oligopeptide contents and decreased oligopeptide contents including AAAs, preferring BCAA-AAA-containing-oligopeptides with long chain length. Employing a three-enzyme hydrolysis approach, HFOPs were obtained with a yield of 49%, comprising 90% of dipeptides and tripeptides and possessing additional bioactivities. This work revealed the mechanism of HFOP production depending on the release and selective removal of oligopeptides and confirmed CGM was a promising alternative for value-added HFOP production.