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Technology Enhanced to Evaluate Tenderness and Color Stability in Meat

Researchers Create Potatoes with Higher Levels of Carotenoids

Researchers Investigate Natural Compounds in Cranberries

Gene Suppression Can Reduce Cold-induced Sweetening in Potatoes

New Fresh-Market Blueberries Available for Southern Production

"Pink Lemonade," "Razz," "Sweetheart," and "Cara's Choice": Superb Blueberries from ARS

Tree Nut Research May Unexpectedly Lead to Medical Advances

Research Aims to Extend Strawberry Growing Season in Mid-Atlantic Region

Technology Enhanced to Evaluate Tenderness and Color Stability in Meat

A system designed by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists to predict superior beef tenderness has also been found to be effective at predicting tenderness in pork and color stability in meat. The technology is based on visible and near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy, and can be used without destroying any product from the carcass. Some steaks and chops turn brown more quickly than others, and these often have to be sold at a discount or thrown away. The scientists were able to modify the tenderness test system so it was also able to predict color stability. The researchers also looked at other factors that might influence color stability, including environmental factors such as lighting and oxygen consumption in a display case that mimicked the conditions steaks go through in a traditional supermarket. Variations based on genetics from the pedigrees of 500 animals were also studied, and considerable differences in color stability were found among those animals. That finding suggests color stability might be improved through genetic selection.

Details

For details, contact: Steven D. Shackelford, (402) 762-4223, Meat Safety and Quality Research Unit, ARS U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Neb.

Meat color is important to shoppers who consider bright-red beef or bright-pink pork as a mark of freshness and quality.

ARS scientists closely examined the types and amounts of natural compounds in cranberry pomace (center), which is the stems, skin, and pulp left over after the berries are pressed to make juice or canned products.

Researchers Investigate Natural Compounds in Cranberries

Fresh whole cranberries are known to contain high levels of flavonols—higher than most other berries and, in fact, more than most fruits or vegetables. Agricultural Research Service (ARS)-funded research has now shown that appreciable levels of the total flavonol content of whole berries is in the pomace—the stems, skins, seeds, and pulp that are left over when the berries are pressed to make juice or canned products. Cranberry processors are looking for new, value-added uses for this byproduct.

Details

For details, contact: Ronald L. Prior, (501) 364-3309, formerly with the ARS Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center, Little Rock, Ark.

New Fresh-Market Blueberries Available for Southern Production

Two new southern highbush blueberry cultivars—"Gupton" and "Pearl"—developed by ARS researchers will benefit consumers and growers. In addition to high yields of plump, flavorful berries and vigorous growth, the new cultivars should provide a headstart on the lucrative, early-ripening fresh market, which traditionally begins in April and May. In Mississippi field trials, "Gupton" and "Pearl" flowered in mid to late April and were ready for harvest approximately 21 days before the earliest ripening rabbiteye cultivars, the predominant type grown in the South.

Details

For details, contact: Stephen J. Stringer, (601) 403-8768, ARS Thad Cochran Southern Horticultural Research Laboratory, Poplarville, Miss.

Gupton and Pearl, two highbush blueberry cultivars developed by ARS for the lucrative, early-ripening fresh market with improved adaptation to southeastern growing conditions, are now making their way into farmers' fields. Photo, Stephen Stringer, ARS.

The popular herb thyme. ARS scientists in Albany, California, are determining whether the natural compound thymol, extracted from thyme, can work synergistically with conventional antifungal meds to boost their effects.

Tree Nut Research May Unexpectedly Lead to Medical Advances

Agricultural research studies on how to control species of Aspergillus mold have attracted the attention of medical and public health researchers. Found worldwide in air and soil, Aspergillus can infect corn, cotton, pistachios, almonds and other crops, and produce aflatoxin, a natural carcinogen. Aflatoxin-contaminated crops must be identified and removed from the processing stream, at times resulting in large economic losses. Since 2004, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) researchers have carefully built a portfolio of potent, plant-based compounds that can kill A. flavus, or thwart its ability to produce aflatoxin. But A. flavus and two related species, A. fumigatus and A. terreus, also can impact the health of immunocompromised individuals exposed to the fungus in moldy homes. Petri-dish experiments suggest that pairing conventional antifungal medicines with the natural, edible compounds from plants—for example, thymol, extracted from the herb thyme—could boost the healing effects of some of the medical drugs.

Details

For details, contact: Bruce Campbell, (510) 559-5841, Plant Mycotoxin Research Unit, ARS Western Regional Research Center, Albany, Calif.

Researchers Create Potatoes with Higher Levels of Carotenoids

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists have bred yellow potatoes with carotenoid levels that are two to three times higher than those of the popular "Yukon Gold" potato. Intensely yellow-fleshed wild potatoes had been found that have about 23 times more carotenoids than white-flesh potatoes. By crossing these wild potatoes with cultivated types, high-carotenoid potatoes were developed. The researchers also developed a potato named "Peter Wilcox" with purple skin and yellow flesh that has become popular in niche roadside markets. The overall carotenoid levels in the "Peter Wilcox" potato are more than 15 percent higher than those in "Yukon Gold."

For details, contact: Kathy Haynes, (301) 504-7405, Genetic Improvement of Fruits and Vegetables Laboratory, ARS Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, Md.

ARS scientists are developing new potatoes like Peter Wilcox (shown here) with more than 15 times the carotenoid level of the popular Yukon Gold yellow-fleshed potato.

ARS scientists are finding ways to overcome cold-induced sweetening, which occurs when potatoes are put in long-term cold storage.

Gene Suppression Can Reduce Cold-induced Sweetening in Potatoes

Preventing activity of a key enzyme in potatoes could help boost potato quality by putting an end to cold-induced sweetening, according to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists. Cold-induced sweetening, which occurs when potatoes are put into long-term cold storage, causes flavor changes and unwanted dark colors in fried and roasted potatoes. But long-term cold storage is necessary to maintain an adequate supply of potatoes throughout the year. ARS scientists found that during cold storage, an enzyme called invertase causes changes in potato sugars—more accumulation of sucrose—and a corresponding increase in the amount of glucose and fructose in tubers stored at very low temperatures. Decreasing the activity of invertase was found to be sufficient to enable cold storage of potatoes without compromising the appearance of potato chips or the growth characteristics of the potato plants.

Details

For details, contact: Paul Bethke, (608) 890-1165, ARS Vegetable Crops Research Unit, Madison, Wis.

"Pink Lemonade," "Razz," "Sweetheart," and "Cara's Choice": Superb Blueberries from ARS

"Razz," a stellar blueberry released by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) blueberry program in Chatsworth, N.J., offers a flavorful surprise: It tastes quite a bit like a raspberry. "Razz" was bred by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's first blueberry breeder, Frederick W. Coville, in 1934. Originally regarded as too unusual for its time, "Razz" was later rediscovered, newly tested, then officially released last year. Other new releases from the program include "Sweetheart," which produces firm, delectable, medium- to medium-large berries in mid to late June, and also produces a small crop of new berries months later, if the autumn is mild. And some blueberry fans regard "Cara's Choice" as the best blueberry they have ever tasted. It is a very sweet, medium-sized berry that has a pleasant aroma. This berry can be allowed to remain on the plant for several weeks after ripening. It will continue to sweeten, while enabling growers to extend their harvests over a longer period of time.

Details

For details, contact: Mark K. Ehlenfeldt, (609) 726-1590, ext. 4421, Marucci Center for Blueberry and Cranberry Research and Extension, Chatsworth, N.J.

Pink Lemonade blueberries have a sweet, mild, flowery flavor and a pretty pink color.

ARS geneticist Kim Lewers and ARS horticulturist John Enns are testing the idea of growing strawberries under low row covers to extend the berry's growing season in the northern and eastern United States.

Research Aims to Extend Strawberry Growing Season in Mid-Atlantic Region

Growing strawberry plants in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region beneath canopy-like structures called low tunnels can allow the season to start earlier and continue through the summer and fall, according to Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists. Strawberry cultivars are being tested in the new production system that could extend the growing season in the northern and eastern United States.

Details

For details, contact: Kim Lewers, (301) 504-6768, Genetic Improvement of Fruits and Vegetables Laboratory, ARS Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, Md.