Location: Bio-oils Research
2022 Annual Report
Objectives
Develop cutting edge analytical standards to provide a platform for essential activities to support soybean composition improvement in the U.S., including amino acids, fatty acids, protein, oil, and other important constituents.
Approach
Using new wet chemical methods, improved near infrared calibrations will be performed and compared to calibrations by other NIR users. A wider range of soybean composition will be worked into the calibration. Soxhlet and nitrogen analyses will be performed on a large number of soybean samples and added to the current calibration.
Progress Report
ARS researchers in Peoria, Illinois, conducted approximately 7,000 near-infrared (NIR) analyses for protein, oil, and moisture content for the Northern and Southern States Regional Uniform Testing of Soybeans. ARS used this data to create reports and collated the data to coordinate a calibration that meets the evolving soybean genome for more accurate protein percentages. In collaboration with an ARS scientist in Stoneville, Mississippi, a study was completed on the accuracy of NIR analyses for protein and oil analysis in normal versus high oleic soybeans. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and an elemental combustion analyzer were used as internal checks.
Accomplishments
1. Analyzed composition of 7,000 soybean samples to improve disease resistance and seed quality. ARS soybean breeders are developing soybean varieties with improved traits for disease resistance and improved oil and protein quality. During these breeding efforts, chemical confirmation of trait improvements or preservation of desired chemical profiles is necessary. In this effort to confirm chemical trait improvement, approximately 7,000 ARS samples submitted by soybean breeders have been analyzed by ARS researchers in Peoria, Illinois, and the results reported to the respective breeders. As a result of this research, we have improved the quality of United States soybeans for disease resistance and oil/protein content.
