Location: Functional Foods Research
2017 Annual Report
Objectives
Objective 1: Evaluate and characterize chemicals and nutriceuticals in agricultural crops and products for new or improved food and feed uses.
Objective 2: Enhance methodologies to quickly determine and evaluate chemical components in a given agricultural product.
Objective 3: Enhance methodologies to rapidly and non-destructively assess the identity and levels of key phytochemicals and nutriceuticals in large sample sets of raw agricultural harvests and products.
Objective 4: Evaluate and characterize phytochemical composition and bio-physical properties from mid-west area crops, and under-utilized plants and nuisance plants to develop new materials for use as naturally based bio-pesticides for microbial, insect, or weed pests, or to enhance home garden, organic, agricultural, horticultural plant growth and production.
Objective 5: Evaluate and characterize phytochemical composition and biophysical properties to develop new bio-based additives and products for the production of new bio-based ingredients as plastics, fillers, delivery agents, replacement ingredients for the production of new bio-based consumer products.
Approach
The goals of this project are (1) to develop accurate analytical methodology and rapid non-destructive spectrophotometric analytical methods to rapidly assess the levels of specific phytochemicals in seeds, tissues, and processed products, and (2) to develop new uses for low value agricultural waste and co-products, under-utilized plant species.
Methodologies will be applied to prepare sufficient quantities of pure phytochemicals for further research, to prepare green-process extracts with defined phytochemical composition, and to characterize the phytochemical composition in products and co-products processed from established crops and new crops, as well as in products from biofuel crops, such as oil seed press cakes, straw, and processing residues.
Characterization of key phytochemicals from crude and processed agricultural products and co-products will be used to drive the development of new products from current agricultural crops, as well as developing new and alternative crops. The production of biofuels and agricultural food products generates a variety of co-products (carbon dioxide, sugars, fibers, corn dried distillers grain, glycerol, seed press cakes) and other less valuable residues. Redirecting these wastes to more profitable, higher value uses would benefit both the producers and processors.
This project will evaluate and utilize green extraction methods in the preparation of refined phytochemical products, which will be used as ingredients for both functional foods, and new non-food agronomic uses, such as for new uses as functional food ingredients, bio-pesticides and bio-control agents, bio-fillers and additives for alternative bio-fiber and bio-plastic products, and as soil amendments for use in organic farming, lawn care, potting mixes, and home garden products.
Progress Report
The goals of this project are (1) to develop accurate analytical methodology and rapid non-destructive spectrophotometric analytical methods to rapidly assess the levels of specific phytochemicals in seeds, tissues, and processed products, and (2) to develop new uses for low value agricultural waste and co-products, under-utilized plant species. Characterization of key phytochemicals from crude and processed agricultural products and co-products will be used to drive the development of new products from current agricultural crops and alternative crops. The production of biofuels and agricultural food products generates a variety of co-products (carbon dioxide, sugars, fibers, corn dried distillers grain, glycerol, seed press cakes) and other less valuable residues. Redirecting these wastes to more profitable, higher value uses would benefit both the producers and processors. Building on research performed in the previous project plan, we are evaluating green extraction methods in the preparation of refined phytochemical products, which will be used as ingredients for both functional foods, and new non-food agronomic uses, such as new uses as functional food ingredients, bio-pesticides and bio-control agents, bio-fillers and additives for alternative bio-fiber and bio-plastic products, and as soil amendments for use in organic farming, lawn care, potting mixes, and home garden products. We have several research projects underway, which have resulted in two invention disclosures and 6 new research publications. One of the main focus points of this new project is to develop rapid and non-destructive measurement methods for evaluating the chemical constituents in defined agricultural products such as seed meals. We have evaluated and utilized a set of analytical procedures to measure carbohydrate, fatty acid, amino acid, and phytochemical composition obtained from a large set of soybean samples by collaborative research with the United Soybean Board. This data is being used to develop and confirm the non-destructive near-infrared spectrophotometric (NIR-S) measurement calibrations which can be used to quickly evaluate chemical composition of soybeans. These methods are being transferred to the instrument companies that make the near-infrared (NIR) systems. We have begun working on the NIR-S evaluation of other crop seed meals.
Low value agricultural co-products and bio-solids are being used to create new organic fertilizers, greenhouse and nursery potting substrates, and biochar. Coproducts include harvest residuals and waste products from agricultural processing. Bio-solids include municipal sewage solids and agricultural processing waste streams. Biochar is the carbon-rich residual product created under anaerobic conditions by the pyrolysis of plant-based biomass. We have determined the addition of processed bio-solids and biochars to potting substrates in greenhouse systems and to large-scale turf systems such as golf greens, golf tees, and athletic fields can greatly increase water and nutrient retention, especially in sandy soils. An additional advantage of using biochar instead of other organic amendments is its resistance to microbial decomposition and hence longevity in these applications.
The demand for wood products is predicted to increase through 2060. This will put continued pressure of the Earth’s forests which are already in serious decline. To satisfy wood needs, engineered wood products are employed such as fiberboard (FB) which includes particleboard (PB), medium density fiberboard (MDF) and hardboard (HB) and oriented strand board (OSB). Currently, the commercial wood composite industry employs petroleum-based adhesives/resins or a mixture of high protein ingredients mixed with some petroleum-based glues. These adhesives may have environmental/health issues. Adhesives/resins are employed based on their abundance, cost and effectiveness. The building/construction industry is ever seeking to employ bio-based adhesives/resin into its product. Using inexpensive, effective and bio-based adhesives derived from by-products of corn ethanol production will benefit both the building industry and aid in boosting the revenue of corn producers and processors. Methods to improve cotton fiber that spins into consistent, high-strength yarn at high speeds are sought by the industry. Application of this invention will lower costs, increase productivity and provide “novel” textiles.
Accomplishments
1. Fermentation of Carinata (Brassica carinata) meal for feed applications. In this study by Agricultural Research Service researchers in Peoria, Illinois, the efficacy of processing treatments to reduce the levels of unfavorable natural constituents, such as the glucosinolates, and enhance protein content during solid state fermentation of carinata meal was evaluated. Optimal conditions were identified and an increase in protein content was achieved. This process also resulted in the complete reduction of the glucosinolates, the off flavor natural constituents, in both carinata meals. Utilizing this treatment for carinata meal led to the formation of a protein-enriched product with no residual glucosinolate content that has great potential for feed applications.
2. Recovery of butanol by counter-current carbon dioxide fractionation. This research studied the use of counter-current carbon dioxide fractionation as a means to separate butanol from a mixture with water. Several factors which could influence the separation were investigated by Agricultural Research Service researchers in Peoria, Illinois. The effects of these factors on separation efficiency, butanol removal rate, total removal and butanol concentration in the extract were measured after the extraction. The results obtained in this study demonstrate the potential of counter-current CO2 fractionation as an alternative method to recover butanol from butanol fermentation broths. This will enhance the recovery of butanol for use as a fuel from renewable resources.
3. Biochar from biosolids for use in sand-based root zones. Biochar is the carbon-rich residual product created under anaerobic conditions by the pyrolysis of plant biomass. Agricultural Research Service researchers in Peoria, Illinois, have determined the addition of biochar to sand-based root zones such as golf greens, golf tees and athletic fields can greatly increase water and nutrient retention, especially in sandy soils. An additional advantage of using biochar instead of other organic amendments is its resistance to microbial decomposition and hence longevity in these applications. However, because the bulk density of biochars produced from biomass sources such as waste wood and fibers have lowbulk densities, much lower than sand, resulting in vertical migration of the biochars. Biosolids is a term used in the United States to describe several forms of treated sewage and possesses bulk densities similar to sand. They have been shown to contain small levels of pathogenic microorganisms as well as chemicals such as detergents, pesticides and human hormones. Pyrolysis of biosolids to produce biochar destroys not only pathogens but also degrades chemical contaminants, while converting the carbon to a more stable form, thus sequestering carbon in the soil for long time periods. Our research indicates a great potential for the use of biosolids biochar for increasing turfgrass growth in sand-based root zones.
4. Development of new resins/adhesives from dried distiller’s grains and solubles. An inexpensive, non-toxic adhesive/resin was developed by Agricultural Research Service researchers in Peoria, Illinois, to substitute for petroleum adhesives/resins. This novel adhesive/resin was produced out of by-products from wet milling ethanol production. These wood composite panels were found to be comparable or superior to mechanical properties required by industry standards, offering a multitude of applications in the building, furniture and manufacturing industries. Dried distiller's grains and solubles (DDGS) adhesive was found to be superior to adhesives prepared from soybean flour, which is the industry’s standard. The sources for the starting materials are only a fraction of the costs of petroleum-based or soybean-based adhesives/resins.
Review Publications
Vaughn, S.F., Kenar, J.A., Tisserat, B., Jackson, M.A., Joshee, N., Vaidya, B.N., Peterson, S.C. 2017. Chemical and physical properties of Paulownia elongata biochar modified with oxidants for horticultural applications. Industrial Crops and Products. 97:260-267.
Belenli, D., Polat, U., Berhow, M.A., Orman, A., Yesilbag, D. 2016. Effects of glucosinolates and their hydrolysis products on biochemical and performance parameters in broiler chicken diets. Indian Journal of Animal Sciences. 86(10):1165-1171.
Mojica, L., Berhow, M.A., Gonzalez De Mejia, E. 2017. Black bean anthocyanin-rich extracts as food colorants: Physicochemical stability and antidiabetes potential. Food Chemistry. 229:628-639.
Simon, J.J., Wootton, S.A., Johnson, T.J., Bishnu, K., Zahler, J.D., Baldwin, E.L., Berhow, M.A., Croat, J.R., Gibbons, W.R. 2017. Solid state fermentation of carinata (Brassica carinata) meal using various fungal strains to produce a protein-rich product for feed application. Journal of Microbial and Biochemical Technology. 9(2):577-582.
Winkler-Moser, J.K., Singh, M., Rennick, K.A., Bakota, E.L., Jham, G., Liu, S.X., Vaughn, S.F. 2016. Detection of corn adulteration in Brazilian coffee (Coffea arabica) by tocopherol profiling and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 63(49):10662-10668.
Solana, M., Qureshi, N., Bertucco, A., Eller, F. 2016. Recovery of butanol by counter-current carbon dioxide fractionation with its potential application to butanol fermentation. Materials. 9(7):530-540.
