Duration: 10/01/2003 to 09/30/2008

Administrative Advisor(s):

NIFA Reps:

Non-Technical Summary

Statement of Issues and Justification

The multi-state research project NC-213, Production Marketing and Delivery of Quality Cereals and Oilseeds, will terminate a five-year cycle on September 30, 2003. Since its creation in 1976, specific engineering, biological, and economic problems have been major concerns and shaping the organization of NC-213. Some examples were breakage of corn in handling, factors promoting in-storage deterioration, and quality grading accuracy. The NC-213 project has been configured for disciplinary exchange within a problem-solving format.

A variety of technical and social forces have created far more connectivity in what was an undifferentiated market chain of individually motivated decision makers. For example, return on investment choices made in biotechnology labs is completely dependent on some form of active consumer demand or acceptance in markets around the world. Similarly, the specter of bioterror has raised questions from consumers essentially unaware of the complex custody chain from original seed producer to store shelf. Collectively, these forces have expanded the definition of quality to be any characteristic or process that affects suitability, acceptance, or purity for use.

Connected markets require systems solutions. Systems solutions are the coordinated study of all parts of a network contributing to a particular need. The NC-213 project will be restructured to emphasize three interconnected topics:

• Production, distribution and utilization systems


• Food crop quality, purity, safety and security requirements


• Outreach, education and technology transfer needs

Each topic involves the full range of expertise now organized by discipline in the current multi-state research project. Many concepts are common to more than one system, as in, for example, protocols for source verification and chain-of-custody assurance.

The fundamental research problem for NC-213 will be to design the conversion of commodity grain agriculture to an ingredient production system that simultaneously resolves market, health, security, and production constraints.

Justification for the Project: A systems focus requires each individual research topic to be related to one of the systems areas. The concept of quality management systems is new to agriculture, which means that education will be needed to understand its potential impact. However, the systems (research, teaching, outreach all together) organization relates well to the Integrated Authority mandate of current USDA programs.

Much success of past NC-213 activities has been created by a $1 million endowment provided by The Andersons, a multi-state grain company located in Maumee, Ohio, to the Ohio State University Research Foundation in 1974. Proceeds from this endowment are used to fund research proposals and to support the NC-213 coordinator. Typically, three to five peer-reviewed 2-year projects are funded in the amount of $15,000-$20,000 per year. These projects often leverage additional resources including direct financial support, in-kind collaboration, or equipment.

Various transgenic crop issues have demonstrated that the U.S. infrastructure is largely unable to preserve the identity of either specialty grains or commodities to a desired level of purity. Recently, concerns over zero-tolerance non-food/non-feed grains have increased the need for stringent operating and isolation protocols. Worldwide, the retail food industry is motivating changes in the processing and handling that favor more lot identity and less interchangeability among traditionally commodity products. Security concerns are generating similar interest in lot identity and integrity. Recent problems with genetically transformed non-food/non-feed grains have placed great pressure on the U.S. regulatory system to create public protection mechanisms that do not simultaneously curtail the economic potential of biotechnology. The paradox of this situation is that there has been a concurrent rapid expansion of competitive (non-U.S.) grain supply, which means that the increased management and security will have to occur in a scenario of competitively limited prices.

The NC-213 multistate, multi-discipline structure provides organization and robustness to the solution of the fundamental research problem. The problem covers nearly all agricultural disciplines and affects all production areas.

Related, Current and Previous Work

History

The first NC-213 meeting occurred on December 13-14, 1978 in Indianapolis. At that time the committee was given the designation NC-151. It had received approval on July 11, 1978 to become an NC committee beginning on October 1, 1978. Dr. Roy Kottman was the first Administrative Advisor and Dr. Stanley A. Watson was hired as its first coordinator effective August 15, 1978.

Prior to the organization of the NC committee, the Anderson Agricultural Research Fund (AARF) supported research on grain quality improvement for a four-state region including Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois. Research topics included: mechanical properties of corn, nutritive value of corn, effect of dryer design on corn quality, optical detection of fungi and mycotoxins, brittleness as a measure of corn quality, and corn quality in world markets.

The committee will celebrate its 25^th year of existence in 2003. Members of the committee have provided input for congressional testimony, national and federal agencies, state government officials, as well as industry and trade associations, elevator managers and farmers. The committee is unique among NC committees because it has always had an industry advisory committee and a staff coordinator.

Current Activities

In the 1998-2003 cycle, NC-213 was organized with four discipline-related objectives. Following is a summary of activities from each:

Objective A: Determine the effects of genetic traits, climatic factors, agronomic practices, pest populations, machine harvesting, and drying on the quality of cereals and oilseeds.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Corn resistance factors and microbial strategies for directly or indirectly controlling Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin were studied. A method was evaluated for interpreting corn varietal resistance to A. flavus infection and aflatoxin based on the abundance and mean aflatoxin content of the bright greenish yellow fluorescent (BGYF) kernels. The number of aflatoxin contaminated BGYF corn kernels in experimental crosses is under the genetic control of the parents indicating that the elimination of these aflatoxin-susceptible kernels might be achieved through a conventional breeding program. Volatile degradation products of carotenoids account for carotenoid inhibition of aflatoxin by A. flavus. A genetic connection was found between fatty acid metabolism and sporulation in Aspergillus. Because sporulation often correlates with aflatoxin production, the research has identified possible targets for genetic modification to ameliorate aflatoxin production. Aflatoxin and fumonisin (Fusarium verticillioides) in grain at harvest was concentrated at high levels in relatively few corn kernels. Reflectance and transmittance spectroscopy were successfully applied to detecting aflatoxin or fumonisin in single corn kernels. DNA fingerprinting (RFLP) of non-aflatoxin producing A. flavus isolates from crop fields in Illinois and Iowa resulted in the identification of common A. flavus populations that may prove to be superior biocontrol strains in fields where corn is a rotation crop. Evidence linked a hyphal incompatibility reaction in A. flavus to interference with aflatoxin biosynthesis. Mycoparasites isolated from A. flavus sclerotia buried in cornfields produced numerous novel antifungal antibiotics.

IMPACTS:

• Volatile degradation products of carotenoids from yellow corn inhibit aflatoxin by A. flavus.


• Novel antifungal antibiotics retard activity of mycotoxin fungi.


• New applications for the Aspergillus flavus pAF28 DNA probe were identified.


• A non-destructive method for detecting aflatoxin and fumonisin in single corn kernels was developed.

Objective B: Assess effects of postharvest microbial growth, insect infestation, chemical usage, drying, and handling on quality of cereals and oilseeds during storage and transport

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Bacillus pumilus NE B1, isolated from dried fish from Burundi, was strongly inhibitory to an array of numerous species of Aspergillus, Penicillium and Fusarium. This organism also inhibited development of fusarium head blight or scab on wheat. The antifungal activity was caused by heat stable antifungal metabolites produced by B. pumilus NE B1. Species of lactic acid bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus rhamnosus isolated from a salad dressing from the Czech Republic, also inhibited production of mycotoxins, though the inhibition was not as strong as the activity of B. pumilus.

IMPACTS:

• Studies on the antifungal and antimycotoxigenic properties of B. pumilus and L. rhamnosus have shown the potential for development of these organisms as naturally occurring biological control agents for molds in stored grains.


• Greenhouse trials with B. pumilus demonstrated the organisms ability to inhibit the development of fusarium head blight or scab on wheat and its potential use as a biological control agent.


• This work may lead to new methods of controlling mold growth and mycotoxin production in grains.


• This work may lead to development of a product for control of fusarium head blight or scab on wheat and barley.


• High-oil grain hybrids need lower percent moisture content or lower temperatures during storage to maintain quality.


• Timely grain cooling and preventative insect management is estimated to reduce 25-50 percent of the energy consumed during grain storage.


• Dust control in grain elevator dump pits was achieved with baffle modules.


• An experimental closed-loop heat pump grain drying system was developed and tested.


• A rapid method for segregating hard red wheat based on a single quality variable was developed for use at commercial grain elevators during harvest.


• Monitoring CO₂ provides an early warning system for grain deterioration.


• Population density was more important than temperature in determining insect trap catch.


• The relationship between corn dry matter loss in storage and visible mold damage was determined.


• EGPIC technology (U.S. Patent No. 5,646,404, issued 1997) for direct insect population estimation is being integrated by OPI Systems of Calgary, Canada into StorMax, their stored grain management system to become the worlds first commercially available automated stored-product insect monitoring system.


• Nutritional and physical characteristics are being identified that can be incorporated into processed cereal products making them refractory to insect infestation.


• At low moisture contents typical of storage situations in the Northern Great Plains, currently popular hard spring/hard winter wheats have significantly different abilities to resist attack by lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica. With the assistance of another storage insect now found in Northern Great Plains, the Indian mealmoth, Plodia interpunctella, resistant status of one variety (McNeal) can be significantly reversed.


• Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) detected wheat kernels with insect pests and parasitoids.


• For P. interpunctella, commodity odors were found most important in infesting a new facility, whereas wind currents were primary steering forces during infestation process in a closed warehouse.


• Effective management of P. interpunctella with a juvenile hormone agonist was developed for use in warehouses against adults and with cyfluthrin wettable powder against larvae.


• Management of P. interpunctella with pheromone traps could be accomplished in retail stores with placement not visible.


• Mechanisms of action of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxin were found related to presence of tryptic proteinases in insect gut.


• A major clarification in the role of eicosanoids in insect immunity to bacteria was accomplished.


• Bacillus pumilius and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, commonly occuring in food, were identified as potential biocontrol agents versus grain storage fungi, particularly Fusarium species and their production of mycotoxins.


• Ozonation technology has been shown to be an inexpensive, generated on-site, alternative pest control that does not require EPA registration or operator licensing for on-farm and in commercial elevators.


• 150 storage facilities and emergency outdoor piles were characterized in US corn-soybean belt.


• Cinnamic aldehyde was identified as potential natural, exempt-from-tolerance stored product fumigant. Using a patented processes (US patent 5,591,435 issued 1997) production of a volatile fraction from mountain big sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana was found an effective fumigant for R. dominica and P. interpunctella

Objective C: Quantify and Define Quality of Cereals and Oilseeds for End Use Markets

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

The use of digital image analysis to characterize starch granule size and volume enabled scientists to differentiate three types of wheat starch granules. A rapid starch structure analysis using laser light diffraction was developed. A new method to extract sorghum proteins using SDS was developed. Size-exclusion chromatography and multi-angle laser light scattering methods were developed for characterizing gluten proteins and the factors required for reproducible results.

The interaction of wheat flour protein, starch, and lipids in the presence of water during flour mixing was defined using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. Other spectral measurement projects included single kernel NIR measurement of corn oil content, NIRS measurement of the Roundup Ready trait in soybeans, UV (200-400 nm) measurement of isoflavone content in soybeans, and NIRS for extractable starch in corn.

Satake high-speed optical sorting technology rapidly removed bunted wheat kernels from wheat quarantined by karnal bunt. Visible and NIR technology differentiated corn kernels with fumonisin and aflatoxin. A low-cost diode array system identified bunted kernels, protein, moisture, scab damage, and color class.

An enzymatic nixtamalization process was developed to produce instant masa flours. Relationships between rapid visco analyzer pasting properties and textural attributes were established.

Blended wheat milled best when stored at 15% moisture and has a one-hour temper time.

An artificial neural network was used to classify grains with musty, sour, and smoky odors based on sensory evaluation. Grain samples with known fungal infection were measured for odor using gas liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.

Ergosterol was an early indication of mold activity in grain or feeds. The relationship between viable mold count, ergosterol and ochratoxin A formation was studied at different inoculum concentrations of Aspergillus ochraceus NRRL 3174 and Penicillium verruscosum NRRL 3260. Ergosterol and ochratoxin A peaked at 7-10 days of incubation then declined. Ergosterol measurement indicated fungal activity that corresponded to ochratoxin production.

A high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method using UV absorption detected moniliformin in corn to 0.025 5g/g corn. Moniliformin recoveries averaged 97%.

Surveys of commercial food grade corn and corn-based foods, intended for human consumption, for Fusarium species and mycotoxins were done. Fusarium species, predominantly F. verticillioides, F. proliferatum, and F. subglutinans, were found in all corn samples. Seventy-one percent of the corn samples contained fumonisins and 50% of the corn samples contained moniliformin. Deoxynivalenol and zearalenone were not found, and are known to occur more sporadically. The simultaneous occurrence of fumonisins and moniliformin was found in 34% of corn samples and 53% of corn-based food products.

Dry corn milling concentrated mycotoxins in the bran and germ fractions. Thermal processes such as baking and frying did not reduce mycotoxin concentrations unless very high temperatures (above 175:C) were reached. The breakfast cereal flaking process, alkaline cooking tortilla process, and extrusion caused limited loss of all mycotoxins, but again only when very high temperatures were employed. Loss of fumonisins was greatly increased by the addition of glucose to the corn product prior to processing. Moniliformin was the most heat stable of all of the Fusarium myctoxins.

Sorghums with high levels of anti oxidants were identified. The antioxidants are concentrated into fractions that have ORAC values equal to or higher than blueberries. Tannins and other phenols were partially characterized. The effects of sorghum kernel characteristics (structure, texture, composition) were related to food processing systems. Methods to quickly assess quality characteristics in breeding programs were developed.

The importance of molding and weathering on sorghum quality was documented. Understanding of why some sorghums are partially resistant was increased.

IMPACTS:

• Methods developed to analyze wheat starch size distributions by image analysis and laser light diffractions could become predictive methods of wheat quality when used in conjunction with other quality tests.


• The utilization of methods to quickly identify wheat, barley, maize, and sorghum cultivars allows breeders to quickly and accurately identify breeding stock purity.


• Investigation of T. tauschii gluten proteins has helped to identify genes for those gluten proteins that could be introduced into wheat to improve end-use quality.


• Work to optimize performance of the near-infrared analyzers in network situations has improved rapid quality detection performance at a commercial level.


• Single seed technologies could shorten development time for new genetics.

• High speed sorting of bunted kernels improved the marketability of wheat from hard red winter wheat production areas that were quarantined during 2001.


• The cost and availability of dry masa flour was improved.


• Millers can develop new strategies to maximize wheat-milling performance, particularly when working with wheat blends possessing differing hardness levels.

• A safe objective method for classifying odors has been developed.


• Ergosterol is a useful early indication of mold growth and mycotoxin production.


• An ion pairing (HPLC) method for detecting and quantitating moniliformin in corn was developed.


• Fusarium species capable of producing fumonisins and moniliformin were present in 100% of commercial food grade corn samples.


• Fumonisins and moniliformin were found in a high percentage of commercial food grade corn samples and corn-based human foods.


• Fumonisins and moniliformin co-occur in one-third of all corn samples and one-half of all corn-based food samples, raising concerns of synergistic toxic activity.


• Fusarium mycotoxins were stable in most food processes, indicating that they will carry through into finished processed corn-based foods.

• Food and feed quality factors were introduced to breeding programs for high yielding food-use sorghum hybrids.

Objective D: Determine the economic impact of improving the quality of cereals and oilseeds.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

At the farm level, producers struggle with a range of questions including how to improve the quality of their crop, whether to participate in value added market opportunities, how to organize, and which markets to select. Accomplishments at the producer sector included:

• Identifying the quantity of value added grains and/or producer involvement in value added markets, for Iowa and Illinois


• Quantifying additional costs incurred by producers when participating in value added markets, relative to costs incurred from commodity markets. Results indicate that risk is a primary additional cost regardless of the value added crop produced. Other costs, such as segregation and management, are more crop-specific.


• Criteria to evaluate product production opportunities were developed.


• A decision model was developed to allow producers to relate varietal selection with needs of their end-use markets. The model allowed producers to compare costs and benefits of market opportunities.

Similarly, country elevators must identify investments needed to participate in value added markets. Specific accomplishments relative to the grain-handling sector include:

• Assisting a large farmer-owned grain handling company with developing a quality system certification process for the grain market.


• Identification of elevator involvement in value added crops in Illinois. Information on additional costs created by value added markets identified risk as a primary additional cost regardless of the value added crop handled.


• A simulation model to evaluate segregation strategies for country elevators during wheat harvest was completed. Continuing research has led to the characterization of grain handling facilities throughout the Midwest.


• A prototype web-based information and certification system for soybeans is close to completion, which will allow tracking, testing and auditing of the movement of individual soybean lots from seed through delivery to country elevators.

Evaluating the competitiveness of U.S. quality relative to grains and oilseeds produced in foreign countries frequently focuses on identifying the quantity and quality of end-use attributes, as well as identification of favorable marketing arrangements.

• Samples of soybean meal from 18 countries (including the U.S.) were analyzed for quality attributes, with results indicating that U.S. soybean meal is more consistent and of higher feeding value than meal of other origins.


• Research with corn wet millers in Japan identified the relative quality of imported U.S. corn compared to South African corn. By changing their U.S. contracts to include a limit on stress cracks, the Japanese wet millers were able to improve the quality of corn received from the U.S.


• A commercial scale (50,000 bu) evaluation of hard red winter (HRW) wheat in collaboration with a Mexican flour milling company identified the specific attributes of U.S. wheat in the Mexican flour market compared to Canadian wheat. Results identified which attributes of HRW need to be improved to increase competitiveness relative to Canadian wheat.


• Korea traditionally imports commodity soybeans for tofu processing. Several U.S. soybean varieties exceed the consumer preference for the Korean variety. Purchase on varietal specification was identified as a means for Korea to import the improved quality.

Research identified grading, pricing and testing techniques that would enhance value-added markets as well as increase public availability of quality attribute information.

Weekly data on soybean oil and protein contents was collected from country elevators. The elevators were equipped with NIR machines, and the data was distributed through the AMS Market News Reporting Service.

An oilseed processor (AGP Inc) was assisted in designing component pricing (premiums based on oil content). Data on soybean oil and protein content identified varieties that would have competitive yield as well as increased composition.

Soybean pricing systems were evaluated, using soybean quality data from both a processor and national survey. The most effective pricing system was pricing on a floating Estimated Processed Value per bushel (EPVB) with hedging of meal and oil.

Research following the Starlink incident has identified the need and practical constraints for transparent, trusted, and audited testing for presence of genetic modifications.

IMPACTS

Researchers participating in NC-213 have been leaders in helping grain and oilseed producers, grain handlers, and processors in understanding structural changes and market opportunities that have resulted in a shift from commodity to differentiated markets.

• Approximately 10% of corn and soybeans in Iowa and Illinois is value-added production. There are additional costs of participating in value-added markets.


• Identifying segregation opportunities and quantifying additional costs from handling value-added crops at the grain-handling sector have allowed country elevators to determine their structural capabilities of participating in value-added markets. A quality management system was created for a country elevator.


• Research identified both disadvantages and advantages of U.S. quality relative to our competitors. Development of alternative sourcing mechanisms and techniques will allow foreign customers to receive enhanced U.S. corn and soybean quality.


• A large processor implemented a soybean pricing mechanism based on oil and protein. A method to provide public market information on compositional quality was developed. Soybean varieties that provide competitive yields and increased compositional value were identified.


• Third-party auditing and transparent testing is needed to facilitate growth in both non-GM and GM enhanced markets.

Related Multistate Projects:

Currently, there are three multistate projects that relate to NC-213 including: NC-224 "Competitiveness and value-added in the U.S. grain and oilseed industry"; NC-129 "Mycotoxins in cereal grains"; and IEG-051 "Mycotoxins in food and feed grains." NC-129 and IEG-051 focus specifically on mycotoxin biosynthesis and biochemical approaches to reducing their occurrence in U.S. cereals. NC-213 has a wider focus on biological, physical, technical, and social forces as applied to both reduction and selective marketing of grains containing mycotoxins. NC-213 differs from NC-224 in that NC-224 is primarily based in economics and applies market-price based analyses of commodity cereal and oilseed issues. NC-213 integrates across biological, socioeconomic, and engineering disciplines to address specific attributes of additional value.

Objectives

1. Develop practices and technologies to support quality management systems for production, distribution, processing, and utilization of quality grains and oilseeds.
   
2. Develop basic knowledge, science-based performance standards and technologies that promote food security and safety in grain markets.
   
3. Create and disseminate scientific knowledge that will enhance public confidence in market driven quality management systems for grain.
   
4. 
   

Methods

Objective 1. Develop practices and technologies to support quality management systems for production, distribution, processing, utilization of quality grains and oilseeds

ENVIRONMENTAL AND GENETIC IMPACTS ON QUALITY:

NE: Wheat end-use quality is largely a function of both its growing environment and genetics. The milling, baking, and end-use properties will be determined for winter wheat varieties grown in three diverse environments. This should allow for an assessment of the degree to which quality stability can be selected for by wheat breeding programs.

NE, MI: Wheat breeding programs should ensure consistently high quality of releases. The milling and rheological properties of winter wheat lines will be determined. The milling, dough and baking properties of soft winter wheat lines will be examined.

TX: Determine the properties of wheat flour that affect its quality for use in tortillas. Develop small-scale tests that relate to industry protocols. Collaborate with other workers to screen wheat varieties for improved tortilla quality and bread baking properties by early generation sample screening from the wheat improvement program.

TX: Factors affecting the extrusion properties of different sorghums and the quality of snacks and other processed foods will be determined and related to inherent differences among sorghum cultivars. Friction type extruders will be utilized on various milling fractions. The effect of processing on antioxidant properties will be determined on special sorghums.

MT: Develop postharvest insect resistance as a characteristic included in hard wheat breeding programs in the Northern Great Plains and determine how location and culture conditions affect expression of these traits.

QUALITY AND QUANTITY MAINTENANCE IN STORAGE, HARVESTING, DRYING, STORAGE AND HANDLING OPERATIONS:

KY: The mass of grain stored in a bin is a function of the bulk density of grain that varies with overburden pressure. Packing of grain in storage will be estimated as a function of wall material and grain properties. The results will allow for the accurate determination of inventories stored at grain facilities.

KY, Purdue: Airflow distribution and aeration systems minimize grain deterioration. New models of airflow distribution in large storage structures are being developed to model the heat and mass transfer during aeration. Optimal airflow rates and least-cost fan operating procedures will be based on historical weather data.

ND: Research is being conducted to determine the effect of preharvest production practices on end use quality of wheat. Production practices include swathing with combining of windrows, harvesting standing wheat, and herbicides as a harvest aid.

Purdue: Develop locally optimized grain conditioning practices that use natural air, supplemental heat and/or chilled air to maximize quality and minimize pest activity.

MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGIES FOR TRACKING CHANGES OF PHYSICAL, SANITARY QUALITY:

Purdue: CO₂ indicator test kits, originally developed for the measurement of compost maturity and soil biological respiration, have been applied to grain storability. Further development of the test kit will provide a quality assurance tool that would reduce the likelihood of future spoilage after storage or shipment.

Purdue: Carbon dioxide detectors will monitor for the spoilage of stored corn prior to the time that spoilage would be detected by traditional methods. A CO₂ movement model will be modified to predict the generation and diffusion of low CO₂ levels due to biological activity (fungi, insects). The model will be validated in pilot bin experiments.

CROP QUALITY DATABASES, STANDARDIZED DATABASE FORMATS:

IA: Iowa State has been surveying corn and soybean quality on an annual basis, targeted at end use related factors. The on-line database of corn/soybean quality and yield information will be reorganized and expanded. Information gathering from annual crop quality surveys and variety trials will be improved.

MEASUREMENT TECHNOLOGIES FOR TRACKING END-USE FACTORS:

IA, GIPSA: Iowa State has developed laboratory capability to calibrate a wide range of near infrared instruments and to collect very large spectral databases for these instruments. Calibrations for measuring subunit (amino acid, fatty acid, etc) factors of corn and soybeans will be extended. The local chemometrics and information technology necessary to optimize use of very large databases will be developed. Image analysis technology will be further refined for more precise applications in single seeds and low-concentration food safety/biotechnology factors.

IL: The University of Illinois has developed an Infratec-based near-infrared calibration for extractable starch in corn for a near-infrared transmission and reflection instrument with samples from the past five crop years. Samples from 2003 and future crop years from a wide range of genotypes will be dried and the calibrations will be updated on an annual basis, or as needed. Effect of drying conditions on starch extractability, thermal, and rheological characteristics of starch will be determined.

IDENTIFICATION OF FACTORS AFFECTING END USE:

NE: Grain textural differences have an impact upon the end-use quality of grains. The relationships among grain hardness, growing environment, and digestibility will be studied for ruminant nutrition of barley.

KS, NE, GMPRC: Corn and sorghum samples analyzed for physical grain quality assessments (Stenvert hardness, breakage susceptibility, floaters, TADD removal, true and bulk density) will be associated with pilot scale end-use processing performance in alkaline cooking and wet milling. A standardized set of criteria will be developed to assess the suitability of sorghum and maize for particular end-uses. Grain will be classified into "best for wet milling, dry milling, or alkaline processing" categories that rely upon biochemical, structural, and physical grain measurements.

TX: Assess the effect of molding/weathering on sorghum processing properties and end use quality. Elucidate why some types are more resistant. This will involve anti fungal protein analysis accompanied by analysis of polyphenols.

KS: Dityrosine crosslinks in gluten are directly correlated with breadmaking quality. Isolation and characterization of the naturally-occurring molecular mechanisms responsible for dityrosine formation will allow development of selection techniques for wheat breeding lines and as well as direct genetic manipulation to achieve desired quality traits in wheat plants. Quality prediction kits will also be developed.

MI: Flour protein crosslinks via transglutaminase have positive effects on dough rheology and baking qualities. Isolation and characterization of the crosslink mechanisms will help selection for specific end-use related proteins in soft wheat breeding lines.

Objective 2: Develop basic knowledge, science-based performance standards, and technologies that promote crop quality, food security and food safety in grain markets.

DEFENSE AGAINST MYCOTOXINS:

USDA-GMPRC, KS: Field validation tests will be conducted to compare alternate management schemes for controlled aeration and storage practices. Effects of direction of airflow and length aeration cycles will be compared, Computer models will be developed to optimize grain storage system design and control. Heat treatment as a pre-filling grain storage bin sanitation treatment will be investigated.

NE: Filamentous fungi or molds cause spoilage and losses of grains and pose food safety concerns by potential production of mycotoxins. This project will screen food grade lactic acid bacteria for antifungal activity and will develop the most inhibitory food grade biological agents (microorganisms or metabolites). Lactic acid bacteria will be evaluated for their ability to degrade mycotoxins.

NCAUR: Aflatoxin and fumonisin is concentrated at high levels in relatively few corn kernels. We will identify and remove these toxin-contaminated kernels from contaminated grain lots. Specific topics will be:

• Corn resistance factors that impact kernel susceptibility to Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium infection
• Mechanisms of fungal competition in interference with fungal infection and mycotoxin production
• Antifungal metabolites produced by cereal endophytes and mycoparasites antagonistic to Aspergillus and Fusarium
• Chemical and spectral data for use in optical sorters

ND: Determine the microbial load and mycotoxin content (from fusarium) in harvested durum wheat.

Purdue: Conduct preharvest surveys for crop diseases and mycotoxins. Use survey results to inform industry of potential problems.

DEFENSE AGAINST INFESTATION:

MN: Stored grain insect management techniques can take advantage of naturally occurring low outdoor temperatures and minimize use of chemical insecticides. Our procedures involve measurement of supercooling points and lower lethal temperatures for insects, analysis of long-term weather records, modeling of temperatures inside grain bins and of insect populations, and field testing of new grain management strategies.

MT: Some stored grain insect species are able to reproduce at low moisture content (9-10%) in all current varieties of Northern Great Plains hard wheat. Search most popular and newest Northern Great Plains hard wheat varieties for genetic traits that confer postharvest resistance, particularly vs Rhyzopertha dominica and Plodia interpunctella, insects recently appearing in the northern temperate stored wheat system. Determine effect of insects that damage low moisture hard wheats on development of storage fungi and mycotoxin production. Continue to develop botanical based fumigants that maintain organic certification of stored grain and oilseeds.

Purdue: Investigate new/alternative stored grain protectants and fumigants stored product pest control.

USDA-CMAVE: Develop improved methods of detection and population estimation. Investigate non-chemical control methods.

TECHNOLOGIES THAT DETECT FOOD SAFETY, SECURITY FACTORS:

IL: The Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology at the University of Illinois wil enhance food safety through trace chemical sensing, micro fluid chips, low-cost wireless ID technology, implantable sensors, and related nanotechnology for providing a safe and traceable supply of grains and oilseeds.

NCAUR: Investigate the use of visible/near-infrared spectroscopy and imaging for quality and safety analysis of wheat. Issues of kernel mold detection, degree of waxyness, and the effect of environmental stress on protein quality will be addressed. Studies on the use of these technologies for similar determinations in soybeans are planned.

IDENTIFICATION/CONTROL OF FOOD SAFETY AND SECURITY RISKS:

KS: Enable feed manufacturers to improve product quality, optimize processing performance, and maximize profitability by the development of science-based microbiological standards.

MI: One way to secure "on farm" grain security is through saved seed practices. Using USDA data and other secondary sources we will analyze historical saved seed trends by U.S. farms for selected crops. We will use these data to examine implications for knowledge development and performance standards of future local and global grain markets.

CERTIFICATION, SOURCE VERIFICATION AND QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS:

USDAGMPRC, KS: Evaluate the commingling from different grains during handling in grain elevators and establish procedures to facilitate value-added and identity preserved grain segregation operations. Commingling during handling of two colors of corn in grain elevators will be measured in the GMPRC elevator facilities and in a commercial elevator. A decision support system will be developed to facilitate the wheat segregation operation by providing realistic estimates of the level of commingling and give recommendations on procedures and handling equipment for a minimum level of commingling.

KS: Assess the constraints and profitability of implementing a certifiable quality management system for identity-preserved (IP) marketing of trait specific grains by:

1. Identifying the infrastructure and management constraints (including operational costs and risks) that impede adoption of trait specific marketing of cereals and oilseeds through: a) conducting case studies, and b) analyzing farm records.
2. Creating system analysis and management tools that enable identity-preserved production, handling, processing, and marketing of trait specific grains.
3. Evaluating auditing services and costs.

Purdue, KS: System simulation tools allow for the analysis of different management scenarios (product arrival, logistic of the system, management strategies, external drivers of change like market forces and regulations). A system simulation approach will be used to improve the efficiency and economics of the receiving operation at commercial grain elevators with respect to identity preserved and commodity grains.

IA: Iowa State has assisted a large country elevator in the creation of a certified quality management and product tracking system, based on the American Institute of Baking Quality Systems Evaluation System (QSE). The QSE system will be converted to the more management-based ISO 9000 format and applied to four other grain and feed locations. At one location, historic performance data sufficient to document the economic efficiency benefit of the quality management system will be compiled. A procedure and template for converting alternative or industry-specific quality management system formats to ISO 9000-2000 certifiable formats will be created.

MI: Using a commodity system approach, this project will trace the production, distribution, and processing of various grains and oilseeds. From this analysis, we will provide recommendations for developing more effective institutional mechanisms for promoting practices and technologies to support quality management systems.

IA: High value (pharmaceutical, industrial) grains will require extremely stringent isolation from staple commodities if they are to be grown in commodity-producing areas. Operations from planting to end use will be quantitatively assessed for their potential to contribute either accidental or malicious mixing. Estimates will be pooled in a case-study risk-assessment model, which will then be used to create a standard evaluation template.

Purdue: Determine the practically achievable levels of purity in identity preserved corn produced for the wet and dry corn milling industry of the Eastern Corn Belt.

• Estimate the level of genetic contamination introduced during the production of corn from the seed bag through planting and pollination.
• Estimate the level of genetic contamination introduced during the harvesting of corn from the combine through transport to on-farm handling systems or directly to processors.
• Estimate the level of genetic contamination introduced during the post-harvest handling of corn from receiving through drying and storage, and subsequent delivery to processors.
• Develop realistic practices and recommendations to maximize the achievable levels of genetic purity in corn identity preserved from seed to processing.

DEVELOP NEW AND IMPROVED METHODS AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR PROCESSING, HANDLING, AND STORAGE OF FOODS AND FOOD INGREDIENTS: NE: Identify food grade antifungal microorganisms and their metabolites that will extend storage time and shelf life, and prevent development of dangerous spoilage fungi. Food processing methods will be adapted for use in reducing concentrations of mycotoxins in corn- and wheat-based food products.

NE: The EPA has identified environmental concerns associated with the wet milling process used to produce ethanol, starch and organic acids. Using a well-defined laboratory process that simulates commercial wet milling steeping operations, alternative-steeping systems (process temperatures, times and steep chemicals) will be explored. Response surface analytical designs will be used to determine the optimum steeping conditions designed to reduce SO₂ use and lactic acid development, while obtaining maximum starch yields.

NE: Additional refinements to an enzymatic nixtamalization process will focus on process optimization (enzyme concentration, impact of corn type and quality, and temperature conditions for enzyme treatment and drying, etc.). Process optimization will be conducted using response surface analytical procedures.

Objective 3: Create and disseminate scientific knowledge that will enhance public confidence in market-driven quality management systems for grain.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION, DISTANCE LEARNING, AND CERTIFICATION

NE: Grain quality information related to end-use processing of alkaline cooked products will be provided on a proprietary one-to-one basis to the food and grain processing industries. General information on grain quality will be provided using a variety of publication forums. As an addition to a distance education course (Dept. of Agronomy and Horticulture) on end-use quality of grain, instructional materials/modules will be developed for corn-wet milling and alkaline processing.

KS: National and international outreach activities for the feed industry will include a training series titled "Feed Mill Profitability Workshops," developing and implementing a voluntary HACCP program for feed manufacturers, and implementing a Quality Management System for Feed Manufacturing in the KSU research feed mill.

Purdue: Develop a distance-learning program that will enable grain storage managers to improve grain quality, optimize pest management, and maximize profitability. This national/international outreach activity will be accomplished in collaboration with other NC-213 institutions and the Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS), which is an international professional society serving the grain industry. The curriculum will be based on multi-media teaching modules through the WebCT virtual classroom.

HANDS-ON TRAINING:

KS: Continue to provide domestic and international training on wheat quality as it relates to milling and baking properties through an annual short course offered in Manhattan, KS. This course includes hands-on activities involving grain grading, physical grain quality evaluation, dough testing, milling, and baking.

TX: A comprehensive one-week short course on snack food production including nixtamalization and extruded products will be offered annually.

EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS:

KS: Serve the information needs of NC-213 participants and clientele through the Information Support Services for Agriculture (ISSA). This service offers an update of three literature databases titled "Stored Product Protection", "Grain Economics", and "Grain and Oilseed Quality". Research data applications of this technology include cereal and oilseed quality data by crop and location, U.S. grain handling and storage infrastructure analysis, and linear program models for shipping and marketing value-enhanced grains.

IA: The Iowa Grain Quality Initiative has developed expertise in creation of multi-media training materials and in software based decision aids. Training materials for various operations affecting purity will be developed and shared with distance learning/professional training programs. Interpretive materials for databases and economic decision-making will be distributed. The offering of high school and community college curricular materials relative to quality management systems/data interpretation will be expanded.

MI: Communication from projects will be presented at two conferences: the Rural Sociological Society Annual Meeting and Agriculture and Human Values Conference. Research from these projects will be submitted to scholarly journals for review and publication.

SUPPORT SERVICES:

IA: Operate quality analysis testing/instrument calibration service to support research and marketing activities. Achieve ISO 17025 certification with related statistical control of data management.

Measurement of Progress and Results

Outputs

• More accurate pack and storage inventory procedures will be developed.
• Grain storage management and monitoring practices will become more precise and predictive.
• Standard procedures for collecting and assessing yield-quality data will be available.
• NIR and other instrumentation will be calibrated to measure grain subunit factors and to identify potential food safety threats.
• Quality factors of several grains will be related directly to end use economics.
• Grain management and genetic selection practices will be developed for mycotoxin control.
• Non-chemical and other alternative methods of insect control will be refined.
• Operating details, certification systems, and risk analysis templates will be developed for production of products requiring isolation or specialized marketing.
• Distance learning courses, hands on workshops, web-based information services and analytical support will be created for the research developments.
• An international conference relating to the project objectives will be held in 2004 and 2008.
• Soft winter wheat quality will become more consistent and adapted to bakers needs.
• Usage of weaker wheat flours in leavened products will increase.

Outcomes or Projected Impacts

• Identity preserved grains with higher quality and purity will be delivered to users.
• Grain storage losses will be reduced with less reliance on chemical intervention.
• Producers and geneticists will be using selection strategies that include quality and its economic impacts as criteria.
• Audited certification and product tracing systems will be in use by specialty and commodity marketers.
• The U.S. market in specialized grains (either output trait or process controlled) will be growing at 10% per year.
• Use of NC-213 outreach efforts, measured either as enrollment in programs or as web site hits, will be increase by 10% per year.
• The international conferences will have a demonstrated effect on government policies and market practices of world trade.
• U.S. soft winter wheat will become more competitive in world markets.
• The value of softer wheats will be increased.

Milestones

(2004): Lactic acid bacteria will be isolated and tested for antifungal activity. <br> NIR calibrations for soybean subunits completed.<br>International conference held.

(2005): Antifungal bacteria will be tested for ability to prevent mold and mycotoxins.<br> Cost and risk analysis study of non-food/non-feed grains.

(2006): Milling markers for soft wheats identified; crosslink mechanisms found.

(2007): Rapid methods for varietal identification developed.

(2008): Baking markers for soft wheats identified; transglutaminase utilized. International conference held.

(2004):Planting of hard white wheat will increase by 5% per year in traditional hard red winter wheat production regions.

(0):) Feed processors will adopt hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) principles and reduce food safety threats. Approximately 10 million mt of feed (5% of U.S. annual production) will be manufactured in mills that have adopted HACCP principles.

(0):): Source verification of grain destined for export will become adopted in response to new demands from export customers. NC-213 members will conduct research and extension activities necessary to enable development of connected supply chains that provide source verification.

(0):06-2008): Standardization and adoption of rapid-quality detections technology will increase. <ul> <li>Seven university/government and industry laboratories will participate in a laboratory check program that helps standardize wet, dry, and alkaline processing lab techniques (2006). <li>Commercial optical sorting technology will be adopted by the commercial grain industry (target: 5 companies) to reduce food safety and market quality problems in wheat and corn caused by fungi (2006). <li>A quick-test for wheat quality assessment will be available for use by the commercial millers and bakers, first sales of the technology estimated to occur by 2007. <li>Two wet millers will adopt newly developed near-infrared calibration for extractable starch in maize by 2007.</ul>

(0):-2008): Grain loss/quality deterioration due to insects and mold will be reduced as indicated by the following milestones:<ul> <li>Improve grain storage aeration practices in 5% of the commercial grain elevators in the corn-belt by 2006. <li>CO2 test kits will become commercially available for the grain industry by 2007. <li>Post-harvest insect resistant breeding lines of hard wheat will be available by 2008. </ul>

(0):-2008): Improve farm sustainability through trait specific marketing.<ul> <li>ISO 9000 certification in two grain elevators (2005). <li>Increased grain segregation for value enhanced marketing (2% per annum). <li>Adoption of quality management systems by grain elevators (100 by 2006).</ul>

(0):): Improved methods for processing maize will result in the following milestones:<ul> <li>Extend storage time and shelf life of food products through identification of anti-fungal microorganisms and their metabolites. <li>Reduce pollutants in wet milling through identification of alternative steeping practices. <li>Employees from 25 companies will increase their understanding about grain storage principles after participating in distance learning modules developed by NC-213 participants.</ul> (2004-2008): Increased use of the NC-213 information/literature database by 20% per year. Non-NC-213 use will increase 200% over the same period.

(0):): Improved processing efficiency and adoption of benchmarking to measure performance success will occur in 100 feed mills.

Projected Participation

View Appendix E: Participation

Outreach Plan

INFORMATION SERVICES:
Internet-based reference materials including research reports, fact sheets, bulletins, manuals, handbooks, and slide presentations will be organized by participants. The NC-213 website (http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/nc213/) will serve as the virtual reference library portal to the individual information services.

PROFESSIONAL TRAINING:
Continuing education programs will involve regional and national workshops, short courses, and distance learning programs. Workshops and short courses will primarily involve hands-on training and train-the-trainer concepts. Distance learning programs will involve the use of narrated professional quality PowerPoint lectures that will be converted into streamed video and delivered on CDs to course participants.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE:
NC-213 is organizing the International Quality Grains Conference  A Global Symposium on Quality-Assured Grains and Oilseeds for the 21st Century to be held July 19-22, 2004 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The objectives are to present current knowledge on:

• Measurement technologies to quantify agronomic, quality, and end use traits of cereals and oilseeds;
  
• Best management practices to assure the identity/purity and integrity/quality of cereals and oilseeds from farm to end use; and
  
• Management approaches to meet customer needs for the identity preservation, certification, and tracking of cereals and oilseeds in the evolving global market place of differentiated products.

INDUSTRY SUPPORT:
The formation of the U.S. Quality Grains Research Consortium (USQGRC) is proposed as the industry support organization for NC-213, to be the successor to the present NC-213 Industry Advisory Group. The initial USQGRC membership will be generated from the former Grain Quality Workshop (GQW). GQW was comprised of national associations representing producers, handlers, processors, exporters, and others with interest in grain quality issues. Reductions in emphasis on regulatory policy, in favor of scientific developments, led to the conclusion of the Workshop in 2002.

Organization/Governance

The organization and operation of NC-213 will be similar to that used in the last five year cycle. A detailed description of roles and responsibilities is available at:

http://www/oardc.ohio-state.edu/nc213.

• The NC-213 Administrative Advisor serves as the project coordinator and is supported in part (23%) by the Anderson Research Fund. This position will remain based at The Ohio State University. The quarterly newsletter/review of literature and the NC-213 website will continue to be managed out of the Coordinators Office.


• There will be four officers (chair, vice-chair, past chair, and secretary), and six co-chairpersons, two for each of the objective groups. Officers and objective co-chairs are elected from the membership of the NC-213 Technical Committee.


• The Executive Committee is made up of the coordinator, chair, vice chair, past chair, secretary, and objective chairs. It sets the agenda for the annual business meeting, plans special meetings and conferences, overseas production of annual report and oversees development and revisions of the 5-year work plan.


• The NC-213 Technical Committee is made up of one designated representative from each of the participating organizations. It holds an annual business meeting, typically in conjunction with the annual NC-213 technical conference, to set future directions for the project.


• The annual technical conference (typically held in February) will continue, with previously agreed upon improved requirements for presentations and publicity. The annual book of project reports will be reformatted to match the revised project outline. It will primarily be posted on the NC-213 website, and only a limited number of hard copies will be printed and distributed.


• A special topic-oriented summer workshop will be held annually. In 2004, NC-213 will have as its major outreach effort the International Quality Grains Conference to be held July 19 - 22, 2004 in Indianapolis, IN (see above).


• The function and responsibilities of the NC-213 past industry advisory committee will be replaced by the establishment of the U.S. Quality Grains Research Consortium (USQGRC).

Literature Cited

Publications from 1998-2003

Objective A: Determine the effects of genetic traits, climatic factors, agronomic practices, pest populations, machine harvesting, and drying on the quality of cereals and oilseeds.

Bartelt, R.J., and Wicklow, D.T. 1999. Volatiles from Fusarium verticillioides (Sacc.) Nirenb. and their attractiveness to nitidulid beetles. J. Food Agric. Chem. 47:2447-2454.

Burow, G.B., Gardner, H.W., and Keller, N.P. 2000. A peanut seed lipoxygenase responsive to Aspergillus colonization. Plant Molecular Biology 42:689-701.

Calvo, A.M., Gardner H.W., and Keller, N.P. 2001. Genetic connection between fatty acid metabolism and sporulation in Aspergillus nidulans. Journal of Biological Chemistry 276:25766-25774.

Calvo, A.M., Hinze, L.L., Gardner, H.W., and Keller, N.P. 1999. Sporogenic effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids on development of Aspergillus spp. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 65:3668-3673.

Dorner, J.W., Cole, R.J., and Wicklow, D.T. 1999. Aflatoxin reduction in corn through field application of competitive fungi. J. Food Protection 62:650-656.

Dowell, F.E., Pearson, T.C., Maghirang, E.B., Xie, F., and Wicklow, D.T. 2001. Reflectance and transmittance spectroscopy applied to detecting fumonisin in single corn kernels infected with Fusarium verticillioides. Cereal Chemistry. 79:222-226.

Gardner, H.W. 1998. 9-Hydroxy-traumatin, a new metabolite of the lipoxygenase pathway. Lipids. 33:745-749.

Gardner, H.W. 1999. Biosynthesis of hydroxyalkenals by plants. Recent Res. Develop Lipid Res. 3:15-21.

Gardner, H.W. 1998. 9-Hydroxy-traumatin, a new metabolite of the lipoxygenase pathway. Lipids. 33:745-749.

Gardner, H.W. 1998. Soybean lipoxygenase-1 oxidizes 3Z-nonenal. Plant Physiology. 116:1359-1366.

Gardner, H.W., and Grove, M. 2001. Method to produce 9(S)-hydroperoxides of linoleic and linolenic acids by maize lipoxygenase. Lipids. 36:529-533.

Gardner, H.W., Grove, M.J., and Keller, N.P. 1998. Soybean lipoxygenase is active on nonaqueous media at low moisture: A constraint to xerophilic fungi and aflatoxins? J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 75:1801-1808.

Gordon, S.H., Jones, R.W., McClelland, J.F., Wicklow, D.T., and Greene, R.V. 1999. Transient infrared spectroscopy for detection of toxigenic fungi in corn: Potential for on-line evaluation. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 47:5267-5272.

Ito, Y., Peterson, S.W., Wicklow, D.T., and Goto, T. 2001. Aspergillus pseudotamarii, a new aflatoxin producing species in Aspergillus section Flavi. Mycological Research. 105:233-239.

Ji, C., Norton, R.A., Wicklow, D.T., and Dowd, P.F. 2000. Isoform patterns of chitinase and beta-1,3-glucanase in maturing corn kernels (Zea mays L.) associated with Aspergillus flavus milk stage infection. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. 48:507-511.

Joshi, B.K., Gloer, J.B., and Wicklow, D.T. 1999. New verticilllin and glisoprenin analogs from cultures of the sclerotial mycoparasite Gliocladium catenulatum. J. Nat. Products. 62:730-733.

McAlpin, C.E., Wicklow, D.T., and Platis, C.E. 1998. Genotypic diversity of Aspergillus parasiticus in an Illinois corn field. Plant Disease. 82:1132-1136.

McAlpin, C.E. 2001. An Aspergillus flavus mutant producing stipitate sclerotia and synnemata. Mycologia. 93:552-565.

McAlpin, C.E., Wicklow, D.T., and Horn, B.W. 2001. DNA fingeprinting analysis of vegetative compatibility groups in Aspergillus flavus from a peanut field in Georgia. Plant Disease. 86:254-258.

Pearson, T.C., Wicklow, D.T., Maghirang, E.B., Xie, F., and Dowell, F.E. 2001. Detecting aflatoxin in single corn kernels by using transmittance and reflectance spectroscopy. Transactions of the ASAE. 44:1247-1254.

Soman, A.G., Gloer, J.B., and Wicklow, D.T. 1999. Antifungal and antibacterial metabolites from the sclerotium-colonizing isolate of Mortierella vinacea. J. Nat. Products. 62:386-388.

Wicklow, D.T. 1999. Influence of Aspergillus flavus strains on aflatoxin and bright greenish yellow fluorescence of corn kernels. Plant Dis. 83:1146-1148.

Wicklow, D.T., Dowd, P.F., and Gloer, J.B. 1999. Chaetomium mycotoxins with antiinsectan or antifungal activity, pp. 267-271. In: Mycotoxin Contamination: Health Risk and Prevention Project. Proceedings of International Symposium of Mycotoxicology 99, 9-10 September, 1999, Chiba, Japan. S. Kumagai (Sr. Ed.), Mycotoxins: Supplement 99', Matsumoto Printing Co., Tokyo, Japan.

Wicklow, D.T., Joshi, B., Gamble, W., Gloer, J.B., and Dowd, P.F. 1998. Antifungal metabolites, monorden, monocillin and cerebrosides from Humicola fuscoatra Traaen NRRL 22980, a mycoparasite of Aspergillus flavus sclerotia. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 64:4482-4484.

Wicklow, D.T., and Kurtzman, C.P. 2000. In Memorium - Clifford W. Hesseltine (1917-1999). Mycotoxins. 50:1-2.

Wicklow, D.T., McAlpin, C.E., and Peterson, S.W. 2002. Common genotypes (RFLP) within a diverse collection of yellow-green aspergilli used to produce traditional Oriental fermented foods. Mycoscience. 43:289-297.

Wicklow, D.T., McAlpin, C.E., and Platis, C.E. 1998. Characterization of the Aspergillus flavus population within an Illinois maize field. Mycological Research. 102:263-268.

Wicklow, D.T., Norton, R.A., and McAlpin, C.E. 1998. B-Carotene inhibition of aflatoxin biosynthesis among Aspergillus flavus genotypes from Illinois corn. Mycoscience. 39:167-172.

Wicklow, D.T., Weaver, D., and Throne, J. 1998. Fungal colonists of maize grain conditioned at constant temperatures and humidities. Journal of Stored Product Research. 34:355-361.

Objective B: Assess effects of postharvest microbial growth, insect infestation, chemical usage, drying, and handling on quality of cereals and oilseeds during storage and transport

Arthur, F.H., Throne, J.E., Maier, D.E. and Montross, M.D. 2001. Impact of aeration on maize weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) populations in corn stored on the northern United States: Simulation studies. American Entomologist. Summer 2001. 104-110.

Arthur, F.H., Throne, J.E., Maier, D.E., and Montross, M.D. 1998. Feasibility of aeration for management of maize weevil populations in corn stored in the southern United States: Model simulations based on recorded weather data. American Entomologist. Summer 1998.

Dunkel, F.V., and L.J. Sears. 1998. Fumigant properties of big mountain sagebrush, Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp. vaseyana (Rydb.) Beetle for stored grain insects. J. Stored Prod. Res. 34:307-321.

Kells, S.A., Mason, L.J., Maier, D.E., and Woloshuk, C.P. 2001. Efficacy and fumigation characteristics of ozone in stored maize. Journal of Stored Products Research. 37:371-382.

Mendez, F., Maier, D.E., Mason, L.J. and Woloshuk, C.P. 2002. Penetration of ozone into columns of stored grains and effects on chemical composition and processing performance. Journal of Stored Products Research. 39(1):33-44.

McGaughey, W.H. and B. Oppert. 1998. Mechanisms of insect resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis toxins. Israel J. Entomol. In press.

Montross, M.D., Maier, D.E., and Haghighi, K. 2002. Development of a new finite element stored grain ecosystem model. ASAE Transactions. 45(5):1455-1464.

Montross, M.D., Maier, D.E., and Haghighi, K. 2002. Validation of a new finite element stored grain ecosystem model. ASAE Transactions. 45(5): 1465-1474.

Montross, M.D. and Maier, D.E. 2000. Reconditioning corn and soybeans to optimal processing moisture contents. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 16(5):527-535.

Montross, M.D. and Maier, D.E. 2000. Simulated performance of conventional high-temperature drying, dryeration, and combination drying of shelled corn with automatic conditioning. ASAE Transactions. 43(3):691-699.

Stiles, J., S. Penkar, M. Plockova, J. Chumchalova and L. B. Bullerman. 2002. Antifungal activity of sodium acetate and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. J. Food Protection 65:1188-1191.

Stiles, J. and L. B. Bullerman. 2002. Inhibition of Fusarium species and mycotoxin production by Bacillus pumilis NE B1 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus VT1. 13^th International Reinhardsbrunn Symposium, May 14-18. In H. W. Dehne, U. Gisi, K. H. Kuck, P. E. Russell and H. Lyr (Eds.). Modern Fungicides and Antifungal Compounds III AgroConcept GmbH, Bonn, Germany.

Watts, V.M., and F.V. Dunkel. 2003. Postharvest resistance in hard spring and winter wheat varieties of the Northern Great Plains to the lesser grain borer (Coleopera: Bostrichidae). Journal of Economic Entomology. 96:(in press).

Wilcke, W.F., K.E. Ileleji, P. Gupta, R.V. Morey, and R.A. Meronuck. 2001. Comparison of sample storage and conditioning methods for corn storability tests. Transactions of the ASAE. 44(2):369-376.

Objective C: Quantify and Define Quality of Cereals and Oilseeds for End Use Markets

Briggs, J.L., Maier, D.E., Watkins, B.A., and Behnke, K.C. 1999. Effect of ingredients and processing parameters on pellet quality. Journal of Poultry Science. 78:1464-1471.

Singh, P.P., Maier, D.E., Okos, M.R., Cattanach, E., and Trumble, K.P. 1999. The effect of physical properties and operating parameters on soybean flaking. Journal of the American Oil Chemist Society. 76(8): 981-987.

Singh, P.P., Maier, D.E., and Campanella, O. 2001. Effect of temperature and moisture on dynamic viscoelastic properties of soybeans. ASAE Transactions. 44(6):1713-1719.

Singh, P.P. and Maier, D.E. 2001. Transient heat conduction and hotspot development prediction in a flaking roll with revolving heat flux and convection boundary conditions. Journal of the American Oil Chemist Society. 78:787-792.

Watkins, A.E. and Maier, D.E. 2001. Thin-layer drying rates, stress-cracking, and digestibility of selected high-oil corn hybrids. ASAE Transactions. 44(3):617-622.

Hurburgh, C.R., Jr. and P. Williams. 1999. Near-infrared methods. Method 39-40, AACC. Official Methods of the AACC, 10 ed. American Association of Cereal Chemistry, St. Paul, MN.

Siska, J., C.R. Hurburgh, Jr. and P. Siska. 2001. The standardization of near-infrared instruments using master selection and Wiener filter methods. J. Near Infrared Spectrosc. 9, 97-105.

Siska, J., C.R. Hurburgh, Jr. and P. Siska. 2001. The impact of engineering parameters on the accuracy of calibration transfer. J. Near Infrared Sprectrosc. 9, 107-116.

Steenhoek, L.A., M.K. Misra, C.R. Hurburgh, Jr., and C.J. Bern. 2001. Implementing a computer vision system for corn kernel damage evaluation. Trans. ASAE 17(2):235-240.

Roussel, S.A., C.L. Hardy, C.R. Hurburgh, Jr., G.R. Rippke. 2001. Detection of Roundup Ready soybeans by near-infrared spectroscopy. Applied Spectroscopy 55(10):1425-1430.

Roussel, S.A., G.R. Rippke and C.R. Hurburgh, Jr. 2001. Comparison of PLS, locally weighted regression and artificial neural networks for grain quality assessment using NIR spectrometers. Applied Spectroscopy (submitted).

Singh, S., L.A. Johnson, L.M. Pollak and C.R. Hurburgh, Jr. 2001. Compositional, physical and wet milling properties of accessions used in the germplasm of maize project. Cereal Chemistry 78(3): 330-335.

Singh, S., L.A. Johnson, L.M. Pollak, and C.R. Hurburgh, Jr. 2001. Heterosis in compositional, physical and wet milling properties of adapted X exotic corn crosses. Cereal Chemistry 78(3): 336-341.

Hurburgh, C.R., Jr. 2002. Sampling and inspection systems: Validation and Evaluation. Proc. Facility Design Conference, Grain Elevator and Processing Society, Minneapolis, MN.

Cogdill, R. P. and C. R. Hurburgh, Jr. 2002. Photometric standardization of a near-infrared hyperspectral imaging spectrometer. J. Chemometrics (accepted).

Hurburgh, C. R., Jr. 2002. Quality of the US 2001 soybean crop. American Oil Chemists Society, Inform 13(5):394.

Katta, S. K., L. S. Jackson, S. S. Sumner, M. A. Hanna and L. B. Bullerman. 1999. Effect of temperature and screw speed on stability of fumonisin B₁ in extrusion-cooked corn grits. Cereal Chem. 76:16-20.

Wolf-Hall, C. E., M. A. Hanna and L. B. Bullerman. 1999. Stability of deoxynivalenol in heat-treated foods. J. Food Prot. 62:962-964.

Hlywka, J. J. and L. B. Bullerman. 1999. Occurrence of fumonisin B₁ and B₂ in beer. Food Additives and Contaminants 16:319-234.

Ryu, D. and L. B. Bullerman. 1999. Effect of cycling temperatures on the production of deoxynivalenol and zearalenone by Fusarium graminearum NRRL 5883. J. Food Prot. 62:1451-1455.

Ryu, D., C. Munimbazi and L. B. Bullerman. 1999. Fumonisin B₁ production by Fusarium moniliforme and Fusarium proliferatum as affected by cycling temperatures. J. Food Prot. 62:1456-1460.

Ryu, D., M. A. Hanna and L. B. Bullerman. 1999. Stability of zearalenone during extrusion of corn grits. J. Food Prot. 62:1482-1484.

Ryu, D. and L. B. Bullerman. 1999. Measurement of the estrogenic activity of zearalenone by cell culture technique. Food Sci. Biotech. 8:227-231.

Pineda-Valdes, G. and L. B. Bullerman. 2000. Thermal stability of moniliformin at varying temperature, pH and time in an aqueous environment. J. Food Prot. 63:1598-1601.

Gutema, T., C. Munimbazi and L. B. Bullerman. 2000. Occurrence of fumonisins and moniliformin in corn based food products of U.S. origin. J. Food Prot. 63:1732-1737.

Castelo, M. M., L. S. Jackson, M. A. Hanna, B. H. Reynolds and L. B. Bullerman. 2001. Loss of fumonisin B₁ in extruded and baked corn-based foods with sugars. J. Food Sci. 66:416-421.

Saxena, J., C. Munimbazi and L. B. Bullerman. 2001. Relationship of mould count, ergosterol and ochratoxin A production. Intl J. Food Microbiol. (In Press).

Pineda-Valdes, G., D. Ryu, D. S. Jackson, and L. B. Bullerman. 2002. Reduction of moniliformin during alkaline cooking of corn. Cereal Chem. 79:779-782.

Bullerman, L. B., D. Ryu and L. S. Jackson. 2002. Stability of fumonisins in food processing. In: Jackson, L. S., M. Trucksess, and J. W. DeVries (Eds.), Mycotoxins and Food Safety, pp, 195-204. Plenum Publishing Corp., New York, NY.

Ryu, D., L. S. Jackson, and L. B. Bullerman. 2002. Effects of processing on zearalenone. In: Jackson, L. S., M. Trucksess, and J. W. DeVries (Eds.), Mycotoxins and Food Safety, pp. 205-216, Plenum Publishing Corp., New York, NY.

Objective D: Determine the economic impact of improving the quality of cereals and oilseeds.

Bailey, DeeVon, Eluned Jones, and David L. Dickinson. "Knowledge Management and Comparative International Strategies On Vertical Information Flow in the Global Food System." Principle Paper at the AAEA meetings July, 2002. Amer. J. of Agr. Econ., 84 (Number 5, 2002):1337-1344.

Bender, K. and R. Westgren, 2001. "Constructing the Market(s) for Genetically Modified and Non-modified Crops." American Behavioral Scientist. 44(8):1350-1370.

Berruto, R. and Maier, D.E. 2001. Analyzing the receiving operation of different grain types in a single pit country elevator. ASAE Transactions. 44(3):631-638.

Herrman, T.J., S. Baker, and F. Fairchild. 2001. Characterization of receiving systems and operating performance of Kansas grain elevators during wheat harvest. Applied Engineering in Agriculture. 17(1): 77-82.

Herrman, T.J., M. Boland, K. Agrawala, and S. Baker. 2002. Use of a simulation model to evaluate wheat segregation strategies for country elevators. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, 18(1):105-112.

Jones, E. "Entity Preservation and Passport Agriculture: EU vs. USA." Drake J. of Agricultural Law, Vol. 7, 2002.

Jones, Eluned. "The Role of Information in the US Grain and Oilseed Markets." Review of Agricultural Economics. Vol. 21, No. 1:237-255. 1999.

Jones, Eluned, and Stephanie Mercier. "Policy Implications of New Grain and Oilseed Market Structures for Quality." Review of Agricultural Economics. Vol. 21, No. 1-256-264. 1999.

Miller, J., M. Salazer, M. Mascarenhas, and L. Busch. "Starlink: Standards in the Making." Agriculture, Food and Standards. Jim Bingen and Lawrence Busch (eds.) NY:Kluwer. (In Press)

Rulon, R.A., Maier, D.E., and Boehlje. 1999. A post-harvest economic model to evaluate grain chilling as an IPM technology. Journal of Stored Products Research. 34(4):369-383.

Sonka, S., K. Bender, and D. Fisher. "Economics and Marketing," Soybean Monograph, published by the American Society of Agronomy. (In Press)

Attachments

Land Grant Participating States/Institutions

IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, MT, ND, NE, OK, SD, TX, WA, WI

Non Land Grant Participating States/Institutions

BROCK Manufacturing, USDA-ARS, USDA, ARS