Abstract: A process is described for the preparation f electrostatically-linked, aliphatic- or alicyclic-substituted anionic or cationic polysaccharide gels from readily available macroporous ionic polysaccharide chromatographic media, such as diethylaminoethyl (DEAE), quaternary aminoethyl (QAE) and sulfopropyl (SP) substituted polysaccharide gels. These novel gels are used for the isolation, recovery and purification of non-polar extractives using one or more extracting solvents from the group of lower alcohols, ketones, and water. The non-polar extractives may be alk(n)lyresorcinols, steroid, triterpenoid, cardiac glycosides and saponins, steryl ferulates and other phenolic acid conjugates, flavonoids, lipids, alcohol-soluble antimicrobials, prolamines or other alcohol-soluble proteolipid complexes.

Abstract: A process is described for the isolation, recovery and purification of non-polar extractives using one or more extracting solvents from the group of lower alcohols, ketones, and water. The non-polar extractives may include one or more of the classes alk(en)lyresorcinols, steroid, triterpenoid and cardiac glycosides and saponins, steryl ferulates and other phenolic acid conjugates, flavoroids, polar lipids, alcohol-soluble antimicrobials, prolamines and other alcohol-soluble proteolipids complexes. The process uses an aliphatic-substituted polysaccharide gel matrix in a process of hydrophobic interaction chromatography, and involves the steps of absorption, washing and recovery, wherein the extractives are absorbed and desorbed in the presence of and as a result of the concentration and selection of the organic ste of regenerating the gel matrix for further use.

Abstract: A biocontrol agent and a method of use thereof for controlling diseases caused by fungal pathogens in plants. In one aspect of the invention, novel strains of Gliocladium roseum exhibiting antagonistic effects against plant pathogens are used as biocontrol agents. Most preferably, a novel strain Gliocladium roseum ACM941 (ATCC #74447) is used in a treatment effective against fungal pathogens of plants. The biocontrol agent of the present invention may be used in the treatment of seeds, soil or plants to effectively protect against plant diseases caused by fungal pathogens. The biocontrol agent is particularly effective against fungal infections of pea, bean, canola, wheat, barley, beet, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, canola, califlower, cucumber, egg plant, pepper, tomato, marigold and other horticultural and ornamental plants, caused by Alternaria alternata, Aphanomyces euteiches, Ascochyta spp., Bipolaris sorokiniana, Fusarium graminearum, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. pisi, Fusarium solani f.sp.

Abstract: The present biotechnological approach for the production of polyhydroxyalkanotes (PHAs) uses microbial systems. The high production costs makes them substantially more expensive than synthetic plastics. Engineering a novel pathway in eucaryotic cell systems is a beneficial alternative to the production of PHAs in bacteria. This pathway will initially produce free (C8) fatty acids from the fatty acid synthetic pathway through the action of thioesterase, that will then add a CoA moiety to the free fatty acid through the action of an acyl-CoA synthetase, that will produce 3-ketoacyl-CoAs from the acyl-CoA through the action of a thiolase, that will produce R-(−)-OH-acyl-CoAs from the 3-keto acid CoAs through the action of a dehydrogenase isoform from yeasts. These R-(−)-3-OH-acyl-CoAs will finally be used as substrate for the PHA synthase reaction.

Abstract: Methods for quantitative conversion of soapstock, lecithin gums, deodorizer distillate and other by-products of vegetable oil refining containing interrupted double bond systems, to products with conjugated double bonds, using a reduced amount of alkali. Less than one mole of alkali per mole of acyl group present is required, thereby greatly reducing the need for added caustic compared with methods using oils, fatty acids and esters as starting materials. The preferred starting materials are soapstocks derived from vegetable oils rich in linoleic acid.

Abstract: A process for de-watering foodstuffs, such as leafy vegetables, includes moving the foodstuffs along a path, creating an upwardly moving air vortex which intersects the path, thereby raising the foodstuffs upwardly from the path while swirling them in a vortical manner. The foodstuffs raised above the path are received in one end of a duct, the other end of which deposits them on a conveying means. Preferably, the foodstuffs are moved by an air-permeable transport means such as an endless belt. The upwardly moving vortex is created by an air blower which forces air through a tubular portion that contains helically oriented vanes having a tighter and tighter helix in the downstream direction.

Abstract: Conjugated linoleic acid is readily prepared by mixing crude alkaline glycerol solution derived as a byproduct of triglyceride transesterification and a linoleate rich triglyceride, ester, soap, phospholipid, fatty acid, or wax and heating the mixture sufficiently to conjugate the linoleate double bonds. The reaction produces a favorable isomer mixture enriched in 10,12-trans,cis octadecadienoic and 9,11-cis,trans-octadecadienoic acids.

Abstract: A method for controlling Tylenchid plant-parasitic nematodes through application of an effective amount of an alkaline-stabilized sludge is described. In accordance with particular embodiments, the alkaline-stabilized sludge may be applied to the plant, seed or locus thereof.

Abstract: A mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase kinase gene, tMEK2, was isolated from tomato cv. Bonny Best. By mutagenesis, a permanently-active variant, tMEK2MUT, was created. Both wild type tMEK2 and mutant tMEK2MUT were driven by a strong constitutive promoter, tCUP&Dgr;, in a tomato protoplast transient expression system. Pathogenesis-related genes, PR1b1 and PR3, and a wound-inducible gene, ER5, were activated by tMEK2MUT expression revealing the convergence of the signal transduction pathways for pathogen attack and mechanical stress at the level of MAPKK. Activation of biotic and abiotic stress response genes downstream of tMEK2 occurred through divergent pathways involving at least two classes of mitogen-activated protein kinase. This study shows that tMEK2 may play an important role in the interaction of signal transduction pathways that mediate responses to both biotic (eg disease) and abiotic (wound responsiveness) stresses.

Abstract: A process for commercial extraction of saponins from quinoa, and optionally for the formation of corresponding sapogenins. The saponin extraction process comprises contacting a saponin-containing part of a quinoa plant with an aqueous alcohol solution containing an alcohol selected from the group consisting of methanol and ethanol to form a saponin-containing solution and an extracted solid residue, removing the alcohol from the saponin-containing solution to leave a saponin-containing aqueous solution, and evaporating water from the saponin-containing aqueous solution to produce a saponin-containing product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition and procedure for manipulating the behavior of the orange wheat blossom midge, Sitodiplosis mosellana. More importantly, this invention relates to the preparation and use of 2,7-nonanediyl dibutyrate or stereoisomers thereof for manipulating the behavior of S. mosellana.

Abstract: Novel lines of Brassica juncea yield an edible oil that has properties similar to canola oil. More specifically, the oil has an oleic acid content of at least 55% by weight, a linoleic acid content of less than 25% by weight, a linolenic acid content of less than 14% by weight, a erucic acid content of less than 1% by weight, a palmitic acid content of less than 6% by weight, a stearic acid content of less than 2.5% by weight, and a total saturated acid content of less than 7.1% by weight. The novel lines of B. juncea plant have a lineage that includes both lines J90-3450 and J90-4316, these being known lines of B. juncea, and may be formed by conventional cross fertilization or other means. The novel lines can be grown in harsher environments than conventional canola species and are high-yielding and disease-resistant.

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: A substanially pure chemically bound complex is derived from flax containing secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, cinnamic acid glycosides and hydroxy methyl glutaric acid. The complex is obtained by preparing an aqueous aliphatic alcoholic extract from flax and subjecting this aqueous extract to ultrafiltration whereby low molecular weight species remain with a filtrate and higher molecular weight species comprising the separated complex are retained.

Abstract: This invention relates to Stevia plants characterized by exhibiting a high level of total glycosides, and a high ratio between rebaudioside A and stevioside. Preferably the Stevia plants comprise a level of total steviol glycoside of at least 14%, or of about 14.4% to about 18.8%, and the ratio of rebaudioside A:stevioside is of at least 9.1:1, or of about 9.3:1 to about 11.0:1. This invention also discloses a method for producing Stevia plants characterized in that the level of total steviol glycoside is at least of about 14%, and the ratio of rebaudioside A: stevioside is of at least about 9.1:1, comprising selecting at least two intermating genotypes of Stevia each comprising a ratio of rebaudioside A:stevioside of at least about 9:1:1, and a total steviol glycoside level of at least about 14%; allowing said at least two intermating genotypes to cross pollinate to produce a seed; collecting said seed; and growing said Stevia plant.

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: A new and distinct variety of peach tree, which has been given the designation `AC Harrow Dawn`, that is cold hardy, disease resistant, productive and bears an attractively colored fruit of good size and quality that is suitable for long distance shipping.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree which has been given the designation `AC Harflame`, that is cold hardy, disease resistant, productive and bears an attractively colored fruit of good size and quality that is suitable for long distance shipping.