Abstract: Two novel cDNAs for two different genes, HDT1 and HDT2, are isolated from red clover and sequenced. Both HDT1 and HDT2 encode hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:L-DOPA/tyrosine hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (HDT) which enzymatically produces clovamide and/or related hydroxycinnamoyl amides. Clovamide and related hydroxycinnamoyl amides reduce post-harvest protein degradation. Genetically altered alfalfa plants containing an expression cassette containing a cDNA encoding HDT1 or HDT2 are generated. These genetically altered alfalfa plants produce hydroxycinnamoyl-CoA:L-DOPA/tyrosine hydroxycinnamoyl transferase, which in turn produces clovamide and/or related hydroxycinnamoyl amides.

Abstract: A system and method for separating nutrients, such as phosphorus and protein, from biological materials may be disclosed. Biological material, for example in the form of wet solids from raw manure, may first be separated out by a solid-liquid separator. The wet solids may then be dissolved in an acidic solution, which may be created directly or by fermentation. The resulting supernatant from the acidic treatment may then be separated and phosphorus reclaimed therefrom. The resulting precipitate from the acidic treatment may be separated from the supernatant and treated with a basic solution. The resulting supernatant following the basic treatment may then be separated and protein reclaimed therefrom.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods to remove organic and/or inorganic compounds (e.g., contaminants) from water containing organic and/or inorganic compounds, involving contacting the water with an effective organic and/or inorganic compounds removing amount of hemoglobin/Fe3O4 composite where the compounds in the water adsorb onto the hemoglobin/Fe3O4 composite, and removing (e.g., using a magnet since the composite is magnetic) the hemoglobin/Fe3O4 composite from the water.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sampling within a conveyance system are provided herein, such systems and methods being particularly useful in batch sampling of food products for a targeted biological agent. In one aspect, the sampling system includes a conveyance system and one or more sampling devices positioned along a conveyance path such that at least one portion of the batch contacts a sampling medium of the one or more sampling devices. In another aspect, sampling devices are provided that allow a sampling member to be secured in a sampling position for batch testing and readily removed after sampling and tested. The systems, devices and methods herein provide improved sampling coverage of the entire batch and reduce waste and inefficiency as compared to conventional batch sampling methods.

Abstract: Methods of attracting Drosophila suzukii, involving treating an object or area with a Drosophila suzukii attracting effective amount of a composition containing acetoin and at least one compound selected from ethyl octanoate, acetic acid, ethyl acetate, phenethyl alcohol, or mixtures thereof; wherein said composition does not contain ethanol.

Abstract: The combination of a repellent agent or an attractant agent with a wavelength-specific visual cue agent has been found to produce an unexpected and synergistic effect of increased repellency or attraction in dichromatic animals who are not maximally sensitive to the wavelength of the repellent or attractant agent. The method of the invention may be used to repel dichromatic-animal pests; or to prevent or minimize monetary damage, particularly to agricultural products, natural resources or private property. The method of the invention may also be used to attract dichromatic animals for the purpose of agricultural production, recreational opportunities (e.g., wild-rodent feeders), or the effective administration of target-animal pharmaceuticals or mitigation techniques.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dsRNA construct used to silencing specific eukaryotic translation initiation factor in plants to produce a plant resistant to viruses such as Potyviruses, Luteoviruses, and Furoviruses. More specifically, the plant would be resistant to viruses such as Wheat streak mosaic virus, Triticum mosaic virus, Soil bourne mosaic virus, or Barley yellow dwarf virus. Also disclosed are non-transgenic wheat plants having the genes for eIF(iso)4E-2 or eIF4G silenced.

Abstract: Strains of Chromobacterium sphagni sp. nov. are described which have insecticidal activity against insect larvae, in general, and lepidopteran insect larvae, in particular. A biocontrol agent containing one or more C. sphagni, media in which the C. sphagni, or both, and optionally a carrier are also described. Methods of killing insect larvae and methods of reducing insect populations in an area by applying to the area or an object an effective amount of the biocontrol agent are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for producing bioproducts from novel genetically altered strains of Aureobasidium pullulans. Methods and materials for the construction of these strains, examination of the bioproducts and analysis and isolation of the bioproducts from genetically altered strains is provided. Genetically altered A. pullulans strains in which one or more genes encoding biosynthetic enzymes are knocked out is detailed and the benefits of using such strains described.

Abstract: The image sorting system sorts normal chicken breast meat fillets from chicken fillets that exhibit wooden breast myopathy (i.e. WB fillets). In the preferred embodiment, a camera and associated controller gather data and construct a digital image of a chicken breast fillet as it travels on a conveyer belt. The digital image is used to calculate a centroid (i.e. center of mass) of the fillet. As the fillet moves over a nose of the conveyor belt and free-falls to a lower conveyor belt, the controller determines the distance between the fillet centroid and a reference point (preferably the conveyer belt axis of rotation). If the distance exceeds a predetermined minimum distance, the fillet is designated a WB fillet.

Abstract: A novel method of reducing the melting point of a peptide-based biopolymer using a nitrogen-containing compound as a plasticizer is provided. The peptide-based biopolymer can be keratin or silk. The nitrogen-containing compound can be one or more amino acids or other nitrogen-containing compounds (except urea), all of which have a melting temperature above approximately 133° C., the decomposition temperature of urea. Pellets made using this novel process can be used as animal feed and soil amendments (fertilizer) to increase the adsorption of amino acids in the animal or in the soil, respectively.

Abstract: Processes for the preparation of an insoluble biomass gel involving: (a) mixing ground agricultural materials and hexane to produce de-oiled agricultural materials, (b) treating the de-oiled agricultural materials with thermostable ?-amylase to produce de-oiled and de-starched agricultural materials, (c) mixing alkali with the de-oiled and de-starched agricultural materials to produce a first residue, (d) mixing hydrogen peroxide with the first residue to form a second residue, and (e) mixing the second residue in water and collecting an insoluble material which is an insoluble biomass gel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a flavonoid composition that includes eriocitrin. The flavonoid may be included in a complex with other bioflavonoids. The composition may also include neoeriocitrin. This invention also relates to methods of using the composition, including for reducing IL-6 or MCP-1 levels, treating inflammation, and treating symptoms of metabolic syndrome.

Abstract: The system for processing brewery spent grains (BSG) includes a specific intermittent infrared (IR) heating and stirring protocol designed to produce a unique dried BSG product that can be used whole or ground up and used as a quality flour suitable for human consumption.

Abstract: The impact of plastid size change in both monocot and dicot plants has been examined. In both, when plastid size is increased there is an increase in biomass relative to the parental lines. Thus, provided herein are methods for increasing the biomass of a plant, comprising decreasing the expression of at least one plastid division protein in a plant. Optionally, the level of chlorophyll in the plant is also reduced.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting microbial toxins are disclosed. The system includes an imaging device operable to detect a luminescent signal and an analysis plate having a well to hold a sample containing the microbial toxin. The luminescence is created by a cell line expressing a product capable of reacting directly or indirectly with the microbial toxin to produce the luminescent signal. The signal is processed via an image processing system operable to receive the luminescent signal detected by the imaging device and convert the luminescent signal to a quantitative measurement correlated to an amount of the microbial toxin present in the sample.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel compositions and methods for using the insect neuromodulator tyramine and/or one or more derivatives thereof delivered to insect populations to control certain aspects of such populations. The amount of tyramine and/or one or more derivatives thereof delivered on a per insect basis is significantly greater than a naturally-occurring amount of tyramine normally found in insects and causes deleterious effects including mortality of certain insect life forms and disruption of the reproductive capacity of others in the population.

Abstract: Self assembling peptides in combination with infectious and non-infectious proteins as inhibitors and diagnostic tools in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies and amyloid producing neuorodegenerative diseases are described herein.

Abstract: Levulinic-capped estolides having improved physical properties that make them more desirable and suitable as bio-based industrial or commercial products are disclosed. The physical properties of the disclosed estolide compositions have surprisingly low pour points that are substantially lower than previously known estolide compounds and superior to petroleum-based compounds designed for similar applications.

Abstract: Clostridium perfringens can cause food poisoning and is a major agent in necrotic enteritis. As laws banning the use of antibiotics in animal feed become more common, the need for alternatives to antibiotics becomes greater. Peptidoglycan hydrolases that target the cell wall of specific bacteria are one such alternative. Genes for four endolysins, PlyCP10, PlyCP18, PlyCP33, and PlyCP41, were found within clusters of phage associated genes, likely prophages from strains Cp10, Cp18, Cp33, and Cp41. PlyCP18 and PlyCP33 harbor L-alanine amidase catalytic domains, and PlyCP10 and PlyCP41 have glycosyl hydrolase catalytic domains as predicted by BlastP and PFAM searches. All four genes were synthesized with E. coli codon optimization, expressed in E. coli expression vectors with a 6×His tag for nickel column purification, and the recombinant proteins purified. The four endolysins were capable of lysing the 66 C. perfringens strains tested but not the other bacteria tested.