Soybean Fractions Research Articles

Response of Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] to Sources and Levels of Phosphorus

A field experiment was conducted during rainy seasons of 2007-2009 in India (Manipur) to study the effect of different sources and levels of phosphorus on productivity of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill]. The treatments consisted of four sources of phosphorus [Single super phosphate (SSP), Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP), Single super phosphate (SSP)+Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), Di-ammonium phosphate (DAP)+Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB)], four levels of phosphorus (20, 40, 60 and 80 kg P2O5 ha-1) and one absolute control(without any fertilizer and PSB). Application of SSP+PSB produced significantly higher number of nodules per plant, dry weight of nodules per plant, number of pods per plant and 100-seed weight than the other treatments. Maximum grain yield and total phosphorus uptake were also recorded when using SSP+PSB. Yield attributing characters, grain and stover yield were increased with increasing levels of phosphorus. Regarding evaluation of various efficiency fractions of soybean, agronomic efficiency, physiological efficiency and phosphorus use efficiency had more pronounced effects on combined application of SSP+PSB. However, apparent recovery of phosphorus was higher in DAP+PSB due to higher stover yield and higher phosphorus uptake. Among the different levels the efficiency fractions increase up to 60 kg P2O5 ha-1 and declined at 80 kg P2O5 ha-1.

Ethanol Production from Soybean Fiber, a Co‐product of Aqueous Oil Extraction, Using a Soaking in Aqueous Ammonia Pretreatment

AbstractThe effectiveness of soaking in aqueous ammonia (SAA) as a pretreatment method for the conversion of soybean fiber to ethanol via simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) was investigated. Insoluble fiber is a co‐product from oil and protein extraction using two‐stage, countercurrent, enzyme‐assisted, aqueous extraction processing of full‐fat soybean flakes (FFSF) and extruded FFSF. The fiber fractions were soaked in 15 wt% aqueous ammonia at 1:10 solid‐to‐liquid ratio. The effects of operating variables, including treatment times (6, 12, and 24 h), treatment temperatures (60 and 80 °C), and cellulase loadings (15 and 60 FPU/g‐glucan) on the degree of enzymatic hydrolysis were determined. The best SAA conditions were 80 °C for 12 h followed by an enzyme loading of 15 FPU/g‐glucan, which produced a 152‐mg/g glucose yield after 48 h of hydrolysis. This was 8.7 times the amount produced from the same fiber not pretreated with SAA. The glucose yield increased to 381 mg/g when fiber obtained from extruded FFSF was submitted to SAA. SAA (80 °C, 12 h) on extruded fiber subjected to SSF increased ethanol yield from 0.06 g of ethanol/g [40% of theoretical yield] (for non SAA pretreated fiber) to 0.25 g of ethanol/g [92% of theoretical yield]. The combination of extrusion and SAA was an efficient means for converting the fiber‐rich soybean fraction into ethanol.

Estimating soybean ground cover from satellite images using neural-networks models

The ground cover is a necessary parameter for agronomic and environmental applications. In Argentina, soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merill) is the most important crop; therefore it is necessary to determine its amount and configuration. In this work, neural-network (NN) models were developed to calculate soybean percentage ground cover (fractional vegetation cover, fCover) and to compare the accuracy of the estimate from Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Landsat satellites data. The NN design included spectral values of the red and near-infrared (NIR) bands as input variables and one neuron output, which expressed the estimated coverage. Data of fCover were acquired throughout the growing season in the central plains of Córdoba (Argentina); they were used for training and validating the networks. The results show that the NNs are an appropriate methodology for estimating the temporal evolution of soybean coverage fraction from MODIS and Landsat images, with coefficients of determination (R 2) equal to 0.90 and 0.91, respectively.

Comparison of broiler performance and carcass yields when fed transgenic maize grain containing event DP-Ø9814Ø-6 and processed fractions from transgenic soybeans containing event DP-356Ø43-5

The performance of broilers fed diets containing maize grain from event DP-Ø9814Ø-6 (98140; gat4621 and zm-hra genes) and processed fractions (meal, hulls, and oil) from soybeans containing event DP-356Ø43-5 (356043; gat4601 and gm-hra genes) was evaluated in a 42-d feeding study. Diets were produced with nontransgenic maize grain and soybean fractions from controls with comparable genetic backgrounds to 98140 and 356043 (control), 98140 maize and 356043 soybean (98140 + 356043), or 3 commercially available nontransgenic maize and soybean combinations. Ross 708 broilers (n = 120/group; 50% male, 50% female) were fed diets in 3 phases: starter (d 0 to 21), grower (d 22 to 35), and finisher (d 36 to 42). Starter diets contained (on average) 63% maize and 28% soybean meal, grower diets 66% maize and 26% soybean meal, and finisher diets 72% maize and 21% soybean meal; soybean hulls and oils were held constant at 1.0 and 0.5%, respectively, across all diets in all phases. Weight gain, feed intake, and mortality-adjusted feed efficiency were calculated for d 0 to 42. Standard organ and carcass yield data were collected on d 42. Data were analyzed using a mixed model ANOVA with differences between control and 98140 + 356043 group means considered significant at P < 0.05. Reference group data were used only to estimate experimental variability and to generate tolerance intervals. No significant differences were observed in weight gain, mortality, mortality-adjusted feed efficiency, organ yields, or carcass yields between broilers consuming diets produced with 98140 + 356043 and those consuming diets produced with control maize and soybean fractions. All values of response variables evaluated in the control and 98140 + 356043 groups fell within calculated tolerance intervals. Based on these results, it was concluded that the combination of genetically modified 98140 maize and 356043 soybean fractions was nutritionally equivalent to nontransgenic maize and soybean controls with comparable genetic backgrounds.

In vitro N degradability and N digestibility of raw, roasted or extruded canola, linseed and soybean

The N degradability and N digestibility of raw, roasted or extruded oilseeds were studied using an in vitro enzyme method. The N degradability and N digestibility of canola, linseed and soybean were calculated based on the proportional difference in N remaining after incubation and the initial N content. Heat treatments increased the undegradable N fraction of linseed and soybean, whereas that of canola was decreased by extrusion. Heat treatments did not decrease the N digestibility of the oilseeds compared to raw samples. The high N digestibility and lower acid detergent insoluble N values of heat treated oilseeds indicated no indigestible complexes were formed. In conclusion, roasting or extrusion can be used to increase the undegradable N fraction of linseed and soybean to increase the dietary protein availability for digestion in ruminants, but was less effective for canola. The present heat treatments did not damage the protein or affect the N digestibility of the oilseeds.;

Effects of pH, temperature and osmolality on the level and composition of soluble N in feedstuffs for ruminants

Solubility of N is an important parameter in many protein evaluation systems for ruminants. The influence of different rumen conditions, such as pH, osmolality and temperature of solvents, on solubility of N compounds in various animal feed ingredients was examined in two experiments. In the first experiment, 17 feedstuffs were evaluated including legumes, oilseeds, grains, ryegrass and silages. Solvents were tap water at 18 and 38 °C, borate-phosphate buffer of pH 6.8 and sodium acetate buffer of pH 5.0, both at 38 °C. In the second experiment, N solubility of soybeans, soybean meal, peas, faba beans and lupins was evaluated in buffers at 4 pH values (5.0, 5.6, 6.2 and 6.8) and two osmolality values (300 and 400 mOsm/l) at 38 °C. The N solubility in feedstuffs was affected by the pH and osmolality of the solvent used, with the largest effects related to pH. Nitrogen solubility decreased upon reduction in pH from 6.8 to 5.0 for many feeds investigated, except for grass silage, maize silage, formaldehyde treated feeds, rapeseed meal and maize. The largest effect was for untreated legumes, where the average solubility as a fraction of the total N decreased from 0.43 at pH 6.2 to 0.26 at pH 5.6. The pH did not affect the NPN expressed as a fraction of total N, but NPN as a fraction of soluble N increased from 0.35 at pH 6.2 to 0.67 at pH 5.0. SDS-PAGE electrophoresis of the soluble N fraction of lupins, peas and soybeans showed that the decline in pH increased the ratio between albumins and storage globulins, especially 11S, in this fraction. The reduction in pH also decreased the proportion of 11S globulins of the soluble N fraction in faba beans. The effect of osmolality on N solubility was less pronounced than that of pH. Increasing osmolality from 300 to 400 mOsm/l generally increased N solubility. However, a significant pH–osmolality interaction for beans, lupins and peas occurred because osmolality did not affect N solubility at the highest pH level. Results show that pH of the solvent, and to a lesser extent osmolality, affect N solubility, and suggest that evaluation of CP degradation in the rumen requires consideration of rumen fluid pH and osmolality.

Altering functional attributes of proteins through cross linking by transglutaminase – A case study with whey and seed proteins

The effect of cross linking of the major whey protein b-lactoglobulin (b-Lg) and major protein fractions (11S) of soybean (Glycinin) and sesame seed (a-globulin) with the microbial enzyme transglutaminase (EC 2.3.2.13) was studied. The formation of polymerized proteins was followed by poly acrylamide gel electrophoresis, gel filtration high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and evaluation of functional properties. Cross linked proteins were less turbid on heating to higher temperature as compared to untreated samples and the temperature at which the protein turns turbid also increased in the treated samples. In case of b-Lg and a-globulin of sesame seed when the control showed turbidity at 60 �C, the enzyme treated sample indicated at 65 �C and higher. Similar results were obtained in the case of soybean also. The treated samples showed higher emulsifying activity when compared to the control. The control showed an emulsifying activity of 0.55 ± 0.02, and the treated sample showed an emulsifying activity of 0.72 ± 0.02 (optical density at 500 nm is taken as emulsifying activity). Foaming capacity did not improve significantly with the enzyme treatment. The complex formed was investigated by gel filtration chromatography. Nearly 30% of the proteins (11S protein fractions and b-Lg) formed the complex and increase in the concentration of the proteins or the enzyme did not show any increase in the complex formation. The changes in the fluorescence intensity indicated changes in the microenvironment of the chromophores induced by the enzymatic cross linking.

Complexation of bovine β-lactoglobulin with 11S protein fractions of soybean (Glycine max) and sesame (Sesamum indicum)

β-Lactoglobulin (β-Lg) comprises 50% of the whey component of bovine milk. Protein–protein interactions between bovine β-Lg and 11S protein fractions of soybean and sesame were investigated by turbidity, solubility behaviour and by evaluation of functional properties in the mixed systems. In this work, the aggregation behaviour of soybean and the whey protein (β-Lg) showed the formation of soluble complexes. Turbidity and solubility studies showed that the proteins interacted at temperatures between 60 and 90±5°C. Heating a mixture of β-Lg and 11S proteins of soybean at higher temperatures formed soluble complexes with β-Lg. It also reduced the self aggregation behaviour, especially that of 11S protein fraction of soybean. This reduced the precipitation of soybean proteins at higher temperature. The complex formed was resolved by gel filtration using high-performance liquid chromatography. Upon heating β-Lg at neutral pH, native dimer starts to dissociate into monomers leading to the exposure of previously buried hydrophobic amino acids and the free thiol group. The soluble complex is formed by the exposed thiol groups. But interaction of β-Lg with sesame 11S protein fractions did not form any soluble complexes. The mechanism of interaction indicates that hydrophobic interactions were preferred over disulfide linkages at the high salt concentrations of the buffer used. During thermal treatment the molecules are unfolded, leading to an exposure of the hydrophobic groups that further enhance the protein–protein interactions that are entropically driven hydrophobic interactions.

Comparison of Broiler Performance When Fed Diets Containing Event DP-3Ø5423-1, Nontransgenic Near-Isoline Control, or Commercial Reference Soybean Meal, Hulls, and Oil

DP-3Ø5423-1 (305423) is a genetically modified soybean that was produced by biolistic insertion of the gm-fad2-1 gene fragment and gm-hra genes into the germline of soybean seeds. Expression of gm-fad2-1 results in greater concentrations of oleic acid (18:1) by suppressing expression of the endogenous FAD2-1 gene, which encodes an n-6 fatty acid desaturase enzyme that catalyzes desaturation of 18:1 to linoleic acid (18:2). The GM-HRA protein expressed by the gm-hra gene is a modified version of the soybean acetolactate synthase enzyme that is used as a selectable marker during transformation. A 42-d feeding trial was conducted with broiler chickens to compare the nutritional performance of 305423 soybeans with nontransgenic soybeans. Diets were prepared using processed fractions (meal, hulls, and oil) from 305423 soybean plants. For comparison, additional diets were produced with soybean fractions obtained from a nontransgenic near-isoline (control) and nontransgenic commercial Pioneer brand varieties (93B86, 93B15, and 93M40). Diets were fed to Ross x Cobb broilers (n = 120/group, 50% male and 50% female) in 3 phases. Starter, grower, and finisher diets contained 26.5, 23, and 21.5% soybean meal, respectively. Soybean hulls and oil were added at 1.0 and 0.5%, respectively, across all diets in each phase. No statistically significant differences were observed in growth performance (BW, mortality, feed efficiency), organ yield (liver and kidney), or carcass yield (breast, thigh, leg, wing, and abdominal fat) variables between broilers consuming diets prepared with isolated fractions from 305423 or near-isoline control soybean. Additionally, all performance and carcass variables from control and 305423 soybean treatment groups fell within tolerance intervals constructed for each response variable using data from broilers fed diets prepared with reference soybean fractions. Based on the results from this study, it was concluded that 305423 soybeans were nutritionally equivalent to non-transgenic control soybeans with a comparable genetic background.

Effects of cooking methods on starch hydrolysis kinetics and digestion-resistant fractions of rice and soybean

In this study, we investigated the effects of cooking methods and digestion-resistant fractions on the starch hydrolysis kinetics of rice and soybeans. The RS1 contents in unheated rice and soybeans were found to be high at 5.3 and 4.9%, respectively. After heating, the RS1 levels of the rice and soybeans were significantly reduced to 0.4 and 2.4%, respectively. The total nonstarch polysaccharide (NSP) content was not significantly different according to heat treatment, but the heat treatments affected the amounts of water insoluble nonstarch polysaccharides (WISNSP) and water soluble nonstarch polysaccharides (WSNSP). The level of WISNSP in the unheated samples was higher than the WSNSP of both samples; however, the WISNSP level showed a reducing trend after heating. Also, total pentosan and water soluble pentosan contents showed similar trends with total NSP and WSNSP. The hydrolysis indices (HI) of the unheated rice and soybeans were low (36.2 and 40.3%), while the heated group had high levels (89.5 and 45.0%). Among the cooking methods, the highest kinetic constants (0.284 and 0.199) were found with autoclaving for both rice and soybeans, followed by electric cooker (0.282 and 0.170), microwave oven (0.256 and 0.155), and stone pot (0.238 and 0.167). Particularly, all soybean samples appeared to have lower starch hydrolysis kinetics than the rice samples. The RS contents of the rice and soybeans were highest in the samples that were cooked in the stone pot, at 1.2 and 3.8%, respectively.

Comparison of Broiler Performance When Fed Diets Containing Event DP-356Ø43–5 (Optimum GAT ), Nontransgenic Near-Isoline Control, or Commercial Reference Soybean Meal, Hulls, and Oil

Event DP-356Ø43–5 (356043; Optimum GAT) is a genetically modified soybean (Glycine max) that was produced by insertion of the gat4601 and gm-hra genes. The expression products of these genes are the glyphosate acetyltransferase 4601 and acetolactate synthase proteins, respectively. Expression of the glyphosate acetyltransferase 4601 protein confers tolerance in planta to the herbicidal active ingredient glyphosate, whereas expression of the acetolactate synthase protein confers tolerance to sulfonylurea and imidazolinone herbicides. The objective of this study was to compare the nutritional equivalence of 356043 soybeans to nontransgenic soybeans in a 42-d feeding trial in broiler chickens. Diets were prepared using processed fractions (meal, hulls, and oil) from untreated 356043 soybean plants or from soybean plants treated with a mixture of glyphosate, chlorimuron, and thifensulfuron (356043 + Gly/SU). For comparison, additional diets were produced with soybean fractions obtained from a nontransgenic near-isoline (control; 091) and nontransgenic commercial Pioneer varieties (93B86, 93B15, and 93M40). Diets were fed to Ross × Cobb broilers (n = 120/group, 50% male and 50% female) in 3 phases. Starter diets contained 30% soybean meal, grower diets 26% soybean meal, and finisher diets 21.5% soybean meal. Soybean hulls and oil were added at 1.0 and 0.5%, respectively, across all diets in each phase. No statistically significant differences were observed in mortality, growth performance variables, or carcass and organ yields between broilers consuming diets produced with 356043 or 356043 + Gly/SU soybean fractions and those consuming diets produced with near-isoline control soybean fractions. Additionally, all performance and carcass variables from control, 356043, and 356043 + Gly/SU soybean treatment groups fell within the tolerance intervals constructed using data from reference soybean groups. Based on the results from this study, it was concluded that 356043 soybean was nutritionally equivalent to nontransgenic control soybean with a comparable genetic background.

대두 분획물의 항돌연변이 및 항암활성 효과

대두를 먼저 헥산(Hex)으로 지방을 제거한 후 메탄올로 추출한 추출물에서 항돌연변이성 및 항암활성 물질을 분리하기 위해 극성이 다른 용매인 디클로로메탄(<TEX>$CH_2Cl_2$</TEX>), 에틸아세테이트(EtOAC), 부탄올(BuOH)로 분획하여 각 분획물의 항돌연변이 및 항암활성 효과를 검토하였다. <TEX>$AFB_1$</TEX>에 대한 돌연변이 억제효과는 대두의 메탄을 추출물(MeOH)의 분획물들 중 디클로로메탄 분획물(<TEX>$CH_2Cl_2$</TEX>)과 에틸아세테이트 분획물(EtOAc)은 2.5 mg/plate 첨가농도에서 각각 83%로 상당히 높은 항돌연변이 효과를 나타내었다. 중간 분획물(Inter)의 경우는 56%의 항돌연변이 효과를 나타내었으나 다른 분획물들의 경우 항돌연변이 효과가 낮았다. 한편 MNNG의 경우, <TEX>$AFB_1$</TEX>에 비해 돌연변이 저해효과가 떨어지지만 그 중에서도 에틸아세테이트 분획물(EtOAc)이 67%로 가장 높은 항돌연변이 효과를 나타내었으며 중간 분획물과 디클로로메탄 분획물(<TEX>$CH_2Cl_2$</TEX>)은 각각 63%, 49%의 돌연변이 저해효과를 나타내었다. 대두의 메탄을 추출물은 첨가농도 2 mg/assay에서 44%의 인체 위암세포의 증식 억제효과를 가졌고 대두 메탄을 추출물의 분획물들 중 에틸아세테이트층(EtOAC)의 저해 효과가 가장 높았는데 동일농도에서 66%로 위암세포 성장을 저해시키는 효과를 나타내었고 디클로로메탄(<TEX>$CH_2Cl_2$</TEX>)과 중간 분획물(Inter)의 경우에는 각각 54% 및 51%의 저해효과를 나타내었다. Hep 3B 인체 간암세포의 경우, 대두 메탄을 추출물을 2 mg/assay 투여했을 때 60%의 저해효과를 나타내었으며 여기에서도 분획물들 중에서 에틸아세테이트 분획물(EtOAC)이 73%로 가장 높은 저해효과를 보였다. 대두의 메탄을 추출물은 첨가농도 2 mg/assay에서 44%의 인체 결장암세포 증식억제효과를 가졌고 대두 메탄을 추출물의 분획물들 중 에틸아세테이트층(EtOAC)의 저해 효과가 가장 높았는데 동일농도에서 77%의 결장암세포의 성장을 저해시키는 효과를 나타내었다. 이상의 결과로부터 대두 분획물들 중 특히 에틸아세테이트 분획물에 의한 항돌연변이 및 항암활성효과가 가장 높았으므로 이 분획물에 주로 isofavone류가 함유되어 있으므로 에틸아세테이트 분획물을 더욱 정제하여 연구할 필요가 있다고 여겨진다. Inhibitory effects of several solvent fractions from soybean on mutagenicity using Salmonella typhimurium TA 100 in Ames test and growth of human cancer cells (AGS gastric adenocarcinoma, Hep 3B hepatocellular cancinoma and HT-29 colon cancer cells) were studied. The treatment of dichloromethane and ethylacetate fractions (2.5 mg/assay) extracted from soybean to Ames test system inhibited aflatoxin <TEX>$B_1\;(AFB_1)$</TEX> induced mutagenicity by 83%, respectively, and showed a higher antimutagenic effect than other solvent fractions. In case of N-methyl-N#-nitro-N-nitrosoguamidine (MNNG) induced mutagenicity, the ethylacetate fraction showed the highest inhibitory effect (by 67%) among solvent extracts, although the inhibitory effect was not stronger compared with <TEX>$AFB_1$</TEX> induced mutagenicity. In sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay, the treatment of ethylacetate fraction (2 mg/assay) significantly inhibited the growth of AGS, Hep 3B and HT-29 cancer cells by 66%, 73% and 77%, respectively, followed with the intermediate and dichloromethane fractions. These results indicated that soybean fraction extracted with ethylacetate had higher inhibitory effects on <TEX>$AFB_1$</TEX> and MNNG in Ames test and growth inhibition activity to human cancer cells was appeared, suggesting that soybean fraction extracted with ethylacetate may contain the biologically active compounds.

Effects of a Soluble Fraction of Soybean on Lipid Profiles in Ovariectomized Rats Fed a Cholesterolemic Diet

The increases in serum lipid profiles at the onset of menopause are regarded as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. This study was designed to clarify the effects of a dried aqueous soybean extract and ovariectomy on lipid parameters in rats fed with cholesterolemic diet. Twenty-four 9-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups of 12 each and either sham-operated or ovariectomized. The ovariectomized and sham groups were then subdivided into groups of six and fed a semipurified casein-based diet (control diet) or the same diet containing dried soybean extract (0.5%) at the expense of sucrose (experimental diet). Total isoflavone content was 4.52 mg/g of soy extract. Ovariectomized groups showed significantly greater weight gain and food intake than sham groups, while uterus weight was markedly lower in ovariectomized groups. Although ovariectomy significantly increased the concentration of serum triacylglycerol, the concentration of serum total cholesterol was not affected by the operation. Soybean extract restored the concentration of serum triacylglycerol in the ovariectomized groups to the level observed in the sham groups. On the other hand, liver cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the ovariectomized groups compared to the sham group, without effects of the diet. This study suggests that soybean extract supplementation modulates the level of serum triacylglycerol induced by ovariectomy in rats, and furthers the possibility that dietary cholesterol may be a crucial factor in determining liver cholesterol in the presence of ovarian hormone deficiency.

Separating Oil from Aqueous Extraction Fractions of Soybean

AbstractPrevious research has shown that enzyme‐assisted aqueous extraction processing (EAEP) extracts 88–90% of the total soybean oil from extruded full‐fat soy flakes into the aqueous media, which is distributed as cream (oil‐in‐water emulsion), skim, and free oil. In the present work, a simple separatory funnel procedure was effective in separating aqueous skim, cream and free oil fractions allowing mass balances and extraction and recovery efficiencies to be determined. The procedure was used to separate and compare liquid fractions extracted from full‐fat soy flour and extruded full‐fat soy flakes. EAEP extracted more oil from the extruded full‐fat soy flakes, and yielded more free oil from the resulting cream compared to unextruded full‐fat soy flour. Dry matter partitioning between fractions was similar for the two procedures. Mean oil droplet sizes in the cream and skim fractions were larger for EAEP of extruded flakes compared to non‐enzymatic AEP of unextruded flour (45 vs. 20 μm for cream; 13 vs. 5 μm for skim) making the emulsions from EAEP of extruded flakes less stable. All major soy protein subunits were present in the cream fractions, as well as other fractions, from both processes. The cream could be broken using phospholipase treatments and 70–80% of total oil in the extruded full‐fat flakes was recovered using EAEP and a phospholipase de‐emulsification procedure.

Evidence of effectiveness of herbal antiinflammatory drugs in the treatment of painful osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain

Treatment with herbal medicines is very popular in Europe. In order to get information on the evidence of effectiveness of oral herbal medicines in the treatment of pain in the joints or lower back, OVID(MEDLINE), PUBMED and COCHRANE COLLABORATION LIBRARY were searched back to 1985 for systematic reviews. The level of evidence of effectiveness was defined as strong - at least two confirmatory studies demonstrating a clinical relevant effect, moderate - one confirmatory study with a clinical relevant effect and/or multiple exploratory studies of good quality; otherwise the evidence was insufficient or conflicting in the case of inconsistent findings. Fifteen systematic reviews were identified. The evidence of effectiveness was strong for a proprietary unsaponifiable avocado soybean fraction and Harpagophytum preparations containing > 50 mg harpagoside in the daily dosage, moderate for ginger and a proprietary rose hip and seed powder, insufficient for Boswellia serrata gum resin and other herbal preparations and inconsistent for a proprietary willow bark extract. Further rigorous studies are required to confirm the usefulness of herbal medicines in the treatment of osteoarthritic complaints and chronic low back pain in order to enable acceptance of the herbal medicines into the treatment guidelines.

Seed Iron in Diverse Soybean Genotypes

ABSTRACT Iron (Fe) in the embryo fraction of soybean (Glycine max L.) seed is important for seedling growth. Seed Fe accumulation in 27 soybean genotypes differing in seed size was studied at two field locations. Mean seed weight was 148 mg seed−1 with mean individual genotypic values ranging from 68 to 217 mg seed−1. Percentage of total seed dry matter in the seed-coat fraction, which was inversely correlated with individual seed weight, was 8.2%, with mean individual genotypic values ranging from 7.0% to 12.4%. Mean seed-Fe concentration [Fe] was 65 μg Fe g−1, with individual genotypic values ranging from 48 to 81 μg Fe g−1. Seed Fe relative to dry-matter distribution was much more concentrated in seed coats than in embryos of all genotypes. Mean percentage of total seed Fe located in the seed-coat fraction was 29%, with mean genotypic values ranging from 23% to 38%. Neither seed-Fe characteristic was correlated with individual seed weight. Seed [Fe] was not correlated with seed-manganese (Mn) concentration [Mn]. Mean seed [Fe] for the 27 genotypes was different at the two locations, presumably due to differences in available soil Fe. Both genotype and environment affected seed [Fe] of soybean. Soybean seed coats, a major by-product after oil extraction, are a possible rich source of Fe for human nutrition.

Quantitative trait loci for β‐conglycinin (7S) and glycinin (11S) fractions of soybean storage protein

AbstractGlycinin (11S) and β‐conglycinin (7S) are important seed storage proteins in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]. A major limitation of soybean seed storage proteins is their low levels of the sulfur‐containing amino acids, methionine and cysteine, which are important nutritional components of protein mea. Glycinin contains significantly more S‐containing amino acids than does β‐conglycinin. Thus, detection of quantitative trait loci (QTL) that govern 11S may provide marker‐assisted selection (MAS) opportunities to improve soybean total S‐containing amino acids. The objective of this study was to detect and map QTL governing 7S and 11S fractions of soybean seed storage proteins. To achieve this objective, 101 F6‐derived recombinant inbred lines (RIL) developed from a cross of N87‐984‐16 ×TN93‐99 were used. Storage proteins were extracted from all RIL and separated in 10–20% linear gradient polyacrylamide gels. Dried gels were scanned for individual subunits of storage protein with a densitometer equipped with a He−Ne laser light source. Data were converted to concentration for each subunit component and analyzed using SAS software. A significant (P&lt;0.05) difference among genotypes was found for glycinin and β‐conglycinin. A total of 94 polymorphic simple sequence repeat molecular genetic markers were used in screening all RIL. Three QTL for glycinin (Satt461, Satt292, and Satt156) were distributed on linkage group (LG) D2, I, and L, respectively, whereas two QTL for conglycinin (Satt461 and Satt249) were distributed on LG D2 and J. Phenotypic variation explained by individual QTL ranged from 9.5 to 22%. These QTL may provide useful MAS opportunities for improvement of nutritional quality in soybean.

Identification and concentration of soy phytoestrogens in commercial dog foods.

To identify and determine the concentrations of phytoestrogens in commercial dog foods. 24 commercial dog foods, including 12 moist or dry extruded commercial dog foods that contained soybeans or soybean fractions and 12 foods without any soybean-related ingredients listed on the label. Foods were analyzed for phytoestrogen content, including 4 isoflavones (genistein, glycitein, daidzein, and biochanin A), 1 coumestan (coumestrol), and 2 lignans (secoisolariciresinol and matairesinol) by use of acid-methanol hydrolysis and high-pressure liquid chromatography with UV-absorbance detection. Phytoestrogens were identified and quantified by reference to authentic standards. Isoflavones, coumestans, and lignans were undetectable in diets that did not list soybean-related ingredients on the label. Only 1 of the 12 diets that included soybean or soybean fractions had undetectable concentrations of phytoestrogens and that product contained soy fiber. The major phytoestrogens were the isoflavones daidzein (24 to 615 microg/g of dry matter) and genistein (4 to 238 microg/g of dry matter). Soybean and soybean fractions are commonly used ingredients in commercial dog foods. Dietary intake of phytoestrogens may have both beneficial and deleterious health effects. Our results indicated that certain commercial dog foods contain phytoestrogens in amounts that could have biological effects when ingested long-term.

Liquid−Liquid Equilibrium of the Castor Oil + Soybean Oil + Hexane Ternary System

Liquid−liquid equilibria for the ternary system castor oil + soybean oil + hexane are studied at 298.15 K. Mixtures are equilibrated in a temperature-controlled water bath. After evaporation of hexane, the oil compositions of each phase are determined by a combination of gravimetric measurements and the analysis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) using gas chromatography. Since castor and soybean triglycerides are a mixture of five or six fatty acids, the castor and soybean fractions are characterized by the relative concentration of ricinoleic acid. Fitting the K-ratios for castor oil, soybean oil, and hexane smoothed the liquid−liquid equilibrium data. A computational cross-flow extraction is designed on the basis of the smoothed phase diagram and is experimentally validated.

Effect of pH and Ca2+-induced associations of soybean proteins.

An experimental procedure was developed to characterize the solubility of the soybean protein fractions close to the isoelectric point. The results show that the 7S fraction is precipitated in a much narrower range of pH values than the 11S fraction. Surprisingly, the addition of salt to the solutions leads to increased solubility of proteins, unlike the common "salting out" effect generally expected for proteins in solution in this range of salt concentrations. The precipitation equilibria of both soybean fractions in the presence of calcium ions and electrolyte were characterized. The amount of calcium ions required to precipitate a mole of the 7S fraction is much larger than that required for the 11S fractions. The precipitation pattern can be correlated to the charge density per surface area of the proteins.