Abstract: Flour tortillas (i.e. soft tacos and tortillas, wraps, flatbreads) with improved texture and nutritional characteristics represent novel food products that can be processed using flour milled from specific barley cultivars (barley cultivars with waxy starch characteristics and high levels of fibre) as the flour source and with modifications to the die-cut or hot press tortilla methods. Tortilla chips (i.e. taco chips, sopapillas) also produced from specific types of barley flour using the previously described methods can be baked or fried. Barley tortillas and chips can also be produced from barley masa which is produced by cooking and steeping waxy barley in an alkali solution (nixtamalization).

Abstract: Strains of the aerobic mycoparasitic fungus Coniothyrium minitans having high levels of &bgr;-glucanase activity have been obtained. Preferred strains have been deposited at the American Type Culture Collection under accession numbers 74415, 74416, 74417, 74418, 74419, 74435 and 74436. Methods for mutagenizing C. minitans 74415 and obtaining strains having &bgr;-glucanase activity are provided.

Abstract: The chromosomal location of Fusarium head blight (FHB) resistance genes in wheat and the discovery of molecular markers for detecting the presence of these genes is herein described. The markers are generated via PCR or similar amplification reaction using primers identified herein. As a result, seed material can be assayed, thereby eliminating the time and cost involved in assaying adult plants for FHB resistance. Furthermore, the markers allow for gene pyramiding of the multiple, independent resistance genes into complex genetic backgrounds. In addition, the markers can be assayed in parallel. Finally, the markers are cost effective, highly reliable and accurate, and require just a few hours for testing.

Abstract: Matrix attachment regions isolated from the 5′ flanking region of endosperm-specific storage protein genes of monocotyledonous plants are provided. An exemplified matrix attachment region is derived from the 5′ flanking region of the Bx7 gluten gene of Triticum aestivum. Recombinant nucleic acid molecules and plant vectors containing such recombinant nucleic acid molecules include DNA constructs having a promoter, a coding sequence, and a poly(A) addition site, the DNA constructs operably linked to at least one of the matrix attachment regions. Gene expression in transgenic plants, preferably monocotyledonous cereal crop species, is improved by transforming plants with such recombinant nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: A xylanase gene, denoted xynC, encoding a novel xylanase (XynC) obtained from the anaerobic fungus Neocallimastix patriciarum is provided. The DNA sequence of the xynC gene is also provided. Transformation of microbial and plant hosts with the xynC gene is described. The xynC gene may be used to design probes for use in hybridization experiments to isolate xylanase genes from other anaerobic fungi. The xynC gene has been used to construct an oleosin-xynC expression construct encoding an oleosin-xylanase fusion protein which retains xylanase activity. Transgenic Brassica napus (canola), transformed with the oleosin-xynC expression construct, expresses the oleosin-xylanase fusion protein which is immobilized in the oil-body membrane of the B. napus seeds. Canola meal, the protein-rich residue left after canola oil is extracted from canola plants, when derived from the transgenic B. napus of the present invention, retains substantial xylanase activity, making it an ideal animal feed supplement.

Abstract: Potato plants which exhibit reduced levels of .alpha. glucan L-type tuber phosphorylase (GLTP) or .alpha. glucan H-type tuber phosphorylase (GHTP) enzyme activity within the potato tuber are provided. The conversion of starches to sugars in potato tubers, particularly when stored at temperatures below 7.degree. C., is reduced in tubers exhibiting reduced GLTP or GHTP enzyme activity. Reducing cold-sweetening in potatoes allows for potato storage at cooler temperatures, resulting in prolonged dormancy, reduced incidence of disease, and increased storage life. Methods for producing potato plants which produce tubers exhibiting reduced GLTP or GHTP enzyme activity are also provided.

Abstract: A xylanase gene, denoted xynC, encoding a novel xylanase (XynC) obtained from the anaerobic fungus Neocallimastix patriciarum is provided. The DNA sequence of the xynC gene is also provided. Transformation of microbial and plant hosts with the xynC gene is described. The xynC gene may be used to design probes for use in hybridization experiments to isolate xylanase genes from other anaerobic fungi. The xynC gene has been used to construct an oleosin-xynC expression construct encoding an oleosin-xylanase fusion protein which retains xylanase activity. Transgenic Brassica napus (canola), transformed with the oleosin-xynC expression construct, expresses the oleosin-xylanase fusion protein which is immobilized in the oil-body membrane of the B. napus seeds. Canola meal, the protein-rich residue left after canola oil is extracted from canola plants, when derived from the transgenic B. napus of the present invention, retains substantial xylanase activity, making it an ideal animal feed supplement.

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for determining grading parameters of a carcass, the outline of an image of the carcass is traced and reference points representing anatomical features of the carcass are identified. Second reference points being located at pre-determined positions relative to the first reference points are then identified. The carcass image is divided into a plurality of sections, the boundaries of each section being determined as a function of the position of the first and second reference points, and the area of each section is determined. A grading parameter predictive equation is determined wherein the grading parameter is included as a dependent variable, and at least one area of a carcass image section is included as an independent variable. Solving the predictive equation provides a value for the grading parameter of the carcass.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antemortem stress supplement for livestock containing one or more sources of electrolytes including sodium, potassium and magnesium, one or more sources of amino acids including alanine, lysine, phenylalanine, methionine, threonine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, and glutamate, all in a bypass form; and a source of tryptophan.

Abstract: Fibrolytic enzyme supplements for increasing the digestibility of legume forages and grain feeds for ruminants, a method of treating legume forages and grain feeds with fibrolytic enzymes, and feed compositions consisting of feed materials treated with a mixture of fibrolytic enzymes are provided. The enzyme supplements do not pre-digest the feed material but assist in the colonization of feed particles in the rumen by ruminal microbes. The fibrolytic enzyme supplements consist of mixtures of cellulase and xylanase in certain preferred ratios and levels which are dependent on the feed material to be treated. The cellulase and xylanase are dissolved in a buffer solution and sprayed onto dry legume forages or grain feeds. The feed material is then incubated for at least three hours to allow the enzymes to be absorbed into and adhere to the feed material. The resulting feed compositions remain stable for at least one year against predigestion.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of detecting poor meat quality in live animals using infrared thermography. Animals from a group of live domestic animals such as cattle or swine are scanned to produce thermographic images. The images are then statistically analyzed to determine a measure of central tendency such as the mean temperature for each animal's image and for all of the images in the group. A measure of dispersion from the measure of central tendency, such as standard deviation is determined. Then, animals are rejected as having a high probability of producing poor meat quality if the measure of central tendency for that animal's temperature differs from the measure of central tendency for the group by more than 0.9 standard deviations. Alternatively a set percent of animals are rejected, preferably up to 20%, these being animals whose measures of central tendency differ the most from the measure of central tendency for the group.

Abstract: The invention relates to an antemortem stress supplement for livestock containing one or more sources of electrolytes including sodium, potassium and magnesium, one or more sources of amino acids including alanine, lysine, phenylalanine, methionine, threonine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, and glutamate, all in a bypass form; and a source of tryptophan. The invention also extends to methods of administering the supplements to livestock to prevent or reduce antemortem stress.