Using wheat flour in the production of organic banana prawns

Banana prawn (Fenneropenaeus merguiensis) juveniles (1-2 g) were compared for survival, growth and condition after feeding in tanks over one month with several simple diets based on organically certified whole wheat flour. All feeds were applied once per day at 6% of the starting body weight, and produced high survival (>94%). A commercial Australian prawn feed used as the control diet produced the highest (P<0.05) growth (101% weight gain) and condition measured as the length of antennae (13.2 cm). The unfed control had significantly (P<0.05) lower survival (56%), and resulted in a weight loss (3.1%) and the shortest antennae (9.4 cm). Adding free flour to tanks produced lower (P<0.05) growth (6.9%) and shorter (P<0.05) antennae (10.3 cm) than adding pelletised flour with low levels (dry weight) of additional nutritional substances and feed attractants (chicken’s whole egg: 1.5%, polychaete slurry: 1.1% and 6.8%, molasses: 4.2%). Rolling the flour into a dough ball also appeared to marginally improve its direct utilisation by the prawns. These results are considered within the context of appropriate nutrition for Penaeids and successfully producing certified organic prawns in Australia.

Sorption and desorption of sulfuryl fluoride by wheat, flour and semolina

Sulfuryl fluoride (SF) has been developed as a fumigant for control of insect pests in stored grain. However, there is very limited information on the sorption behaviour of this fumigant, which can be critical to its bioactivity, application and potential for residues. We undertook a comprehensive laboratory study of the sorption and desorption of SF by wheat (bread and durum), flour and semolina at 15, 25 and 35 °C, moisture contents 12% and 15%, and concentration × time combinations at CT = 1500 mgh/L (4.167 mg/L × 360 h, 8.928 mg/L × 168 h and 31.25 mg/L × 48 h). At each dosage, sorption rate increased as commodity temperature and moisture content increased. The highest rates of sorption occurred at 35 °C and 15% m.c., and lowest rates at 15 °C and 12% m.c., and the rate was independent of initial concentration. Sorption followed first order reaction kinetics described by the exponential decay equation, Ct = C0·e−k*t, where k is the sorption rate constant. The most important factors determining the rate of sorption were commodity particle size (exposed surfaces) and temperature. Little sorption of fumigant occurred within the first 24 h whereas longer fumigation times resulted in significant sorption. Unbound SF was rapidly lost from the commodity upon aeration with no further desorption detected under any of the test conditions.

Flour yield QTLs in three Australian doubled haploid wheat populations

Flour yield quantitative trait loci (QTLs) were identified in 3 Australian doubled haploid populations, Sunco × Tasman, CD87 × Katepwa, and Cranbrook × Halberd. Trial data from 3 to 4 sites or years were available for each population. QTLs were identified on chromosomes 2BS, 4B, 5AL, and 6BL in the Sunco × Tasman population, on chromosomes 4B, 5AS, and 6DL in the CD87 × Katepwa population, and on chromosomes 4DS, 5DS, and 7AS in the Cranbrook × Halberd population. In the Sunco × Tasman cross the highest genetic variance was detected with the QTL on chromosome 2B (31.3%), in the CD87 × Katepwa cross with the QTL on chromosome 4B (23.8%), and in the Cranbrook × Halberd cross with the QTL on chromosome 5D (18%). Only one QTL occurred in a similar location in more than one population, indicating the complexity of the flour yield character across different backgrounds.

The effects of lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) addition to wheat bread on its nutritional, phytochemical and bioactive composition and protein quality

The grain legume Australian sweet lupin (Lupinus angustifolius; ASL) is gaining international interest as a functional food ingredient; however its addition to refined wheat bread has been shown to decrease bread volume and textural quality, the extent of which is influenced by ASL variety. The present study evaluated the effects of ASL incorporation (20% of total flour) of the six commercial varieties; Belara, Coromup, Gungurru, Jenabillup, Mandelup and Tanjil, on the level of nutritional, phytochemical and bioactive composition and protein quality of refined wheat flour bread. Protein, dietary fiber, phenolic and carotenoid content, antioxidant capacity and protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) were higher (p < 0.05), whereas available carbohydrate level was lower (p < 0.05) in ASL–wheat breads than the wheat-only bread, regardless of the ASL variety used. In addition, the blood-glucose lowering bioactive peptide γ-conglutin was detected in all ASL–wheat breads but not in wheat-only bread. The ASL variety used significantly (p < 0.05) affected the dietary fiber, fat, available carbohydrates and polyphenolic level, the antioxidant capacity and the PDCAAS of the ASL–wheat breads. These findings demonstrate the potential nutritional and health benefits of adding ASL to refined wheat bread and highlight the importance of selecting specific ASL varieties to maximise its nutritional attributes.

The effects of lupin (Lupinus angustifolius) addition to wheat bread on its nutritional, phytochemical and bioactive composition and protein quality

The grain legume Australian sweet lupin (Lupinus angustifolius; ASL) is gaining international interest as a functional food ingredient; however its addition to refined wheat bread has been shown to decrease bread volume and textural quality, the extent of which is influenced by ASL variety. The present study evaluated the effects of ASL incorporation (20% of total flour) of the six commercial varieties; Belara, Coromup, Gungurru, Jenabillup, Mandelup and Tanjil, on the level of nutritional, phytochemical and bioactive composition and protein quality of refined wheat flour bread. Protein, dietary fiber, phenolic and carotenoid content, antioxidant capacity and protein digestibility corrected amino acid score (PDCAAS) were higher (p < 0.05), whereas available carbohydrate level was lower (p < 0.05) in ASL–wheat breads than the wheat-only bread, regardless of the ASL variety used. In addition, the blood-glucose lowering bioactive peptide γ-conglutin was detected in all ASL–wheat breads but not in wheat-only bread. The ASL variety used significantly (p < 0.05) affected the dietary fiber, fat, available carbohydrates and polyphenolic level, the antioxidant capacity and the PDCAAS of the ASL–wheat breads. These findings demonstrate the potential nutritional and health benefits of adding ASL to refined wheat bread and highlight the importance of selecting specific ASL varieties to maximise its nutritional attributes.

Apparent digestibility of some nutrient sources by juvenile mud crab, Scylla serrata (Forskal 1775)

As part of preliminary work aimed at the development of a formulated diet for the mud crab, Scylla serrata, an experiment was conducted with juvenile mud crabs (95.65±2.17 g) to determine apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) for cellulose, fish meal, shrimp meal, blood meal, soybean meal, wheat flour and cod liver oil. Apparent digestibility coefficients for dry matter (ADCdm), energy (ADCenergy) and protein (ADC protein) were in the ranges 70.0-95.7%, 77.4-97.1% and 57.7-97.9% respectively. Soybean meal had the highest ADCdm and wheat flour had the lowest value (P<0.05), while the ADCdm for fish meal, blood meal and shrimp meal were not different (P?0.05). Similarly, soybean meal had the same ADCenergy as that of fish meal, but higher than those of cod liver oil, blood meal and shrimp meal (P<0.05). Moreover, the ADC protein for blood meal or shrimp meal were not significantly different from fish meal (P?0.05); nevertheless, they were lower than that of soybean meal and higher than that of wheat flour (P<0.05). Of significant interest was the ADCdm (78.0%) and ADCenergy (77.4%) for cellulose, which indicates that plant-based nutrient sources may well be a useful component of formulated diets for mud crabs.

Dietary media for mass rearing of rusty grain beetle, Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) and flat grain beetle, Cryptolestes pusillus (Schonherr) (Coleoptera: Cucujidae)

We developed a suitable diet for mass rearing of Cryptolestes ferrugineus (Stephens) populations under laboratory conditions. Recently, this pest has developed strong level of resistance to phosphine in Australia, and therefore, a significant amount of research has been directed towards its management. In total, nineteen grain-based diets, containing rolled oats, various combinations of cracked grains and flours of wheat, sorghum, maize and barley were tested. Each diet contained a small proportion of wheat germ (4.5% w/w) and torula yeast (0.5% w/w). Experiments were conducted at fixed temperature and relative humidity regimes of 30 ± 2 °C and 70 ± 2%, respectively, and replicated three times. Adults (n = 40) of a laboratory strain of C. ferrugineus were introduced into each diet, removed after 14 days and total numbers of live adult progeny were recorded. The following diets resulted in highest live progeny production: barley flour (95%) (607.67 ± 11.21) = rolled oats (75%) + cracked sorghum (20%) (597.33 ± 33.79) ≥ wheat flour (47.5%) + barley flour (47.5%) (496.67 ± 52.93) > cracked sorghum (95%) (384.00 ± 60.66). The performance of these four diets was then tested with field-collected populations of C. ferrugineus and Cryptolestes pusillus (Schonherr). The diets based on rolled oats + cracked sorghum, wheat flour + barley flour, and barley flour alone consistently produced highest progeny numbers in field-collected populations of both species, with mean progeny numbers ranging from 359.9 to 478.5. The multiplication of C. pusillus was significantly higher than C. ferrugineus on all four diets. Our findings will help in mass rearing of healthy cultures of C. ferrugineus and C. pusillus that will greatly facilitate laboratory and field research and in particular, in developing management tactics for these species.

QTLs for water absorption and flour yield identified in the doubled haploid wheat population Lang/QT8766

Two key quality traits in milling wheat are flour yield (FY) and water absorption (WA). Ideally, breeders would prefer to use markers to select promising lines rather than time consuming rheology tests. In this study, we measured FY and WA on a wheat mapping population (Lang/QT8766) of 162 individuals grown in two replicated field experiments at three locations over 2 years. We also carried out near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) predictions on the grain for these traits to see if NIRS phenotypic data could provide useful mapping results when compared to the reference phenotypic data. Several common QTLs were identified for FY and WA by both sets of data. The QTL on chromosome 4D was a consistently recurring QTL region for both traits. The QTL on chromosome 2A was positively linked to protein content which was supported by genetic correlation data. The results also indicated it was possible to obtain useful phenotypic data for mapping FY and WA using NIRS data. This would save time and costs as NIRS is quicker and cheaper than current rheology methods.

Field evaluation of spinosad as a grain protectant for stored wheat in Australia: efficacy against Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) and fate of residues in whole wheat and milling fractions

The potential of spinosad as a grain protectant for the lesser grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica, was investigated in a silo-scale trial on wheat stored in Victoria, Australia. Rhyzopertha dominica is a serious pest of stored grain, and its resistance to protectants and the fumigant phosphine is becoming more common. This trial follows earlier laboratory research showing that spinosad may be a useful pest management option for this species. Wheat (300 t) from the 2005 harvest was treated with spinosad 0.96 mg/kg plus chlorpyrifos-methyl 10 mg/kg in March 2006, and samples were collected at intervals during 7.5 month storage to determine efficacy and residues in wheat and milling fractions. Chlorpyrifos-methyl is already registered in Australia for control of several other pest species, and its low potency against R. dominica was confirmed in laboratory-treated wheat. Grain moisture content was stable at about 10%, but grain temperature ranged from 29.3°C in March to 14.0°C in August. Bioassays of all treated wheat samples over 7.5 months resulted in 100% adult mortality after 2 weeks exposure and no live progeny were produced. In addition, no live grain insects were detected during outload sampling after a 9 month storage. Spinosad and chlorpyrifos-methyl residues tended to decline during storage, and residues were higher in the bran layer than in either wholemeal or white flour. This field trial confirmed that spinosad was effective as a grain protectant targeting R. dominica.

Susceptibility to sulfuryl fluoride and lack of cross-resistance to phosphine in developmental stages of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

BACKGROUND Our aim was to ascertain the potential of sulfuryl fluoride (SF) as an alternative fumigant to manage phosphine-resistant pests. We tested the susceptibility of all life stages of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), to SF and assessed the presence of cross-resistance to this fumigant in phosphine-resistant strains of this species. RESULTS Analysis of dose–response data indicated that the egg was the stage most tolerant to SF under a 48 h exposure period. At LC50, eggs were 29 times more tolerant than other immature stages and adults, and required a relatively high concentration of 48.2 mg L−1 for complete mortality. No significant differences in tolerance to SF were observed among the three larval instars, pupae and adults, and all of these stages were controlled at a low concentration of 1.32 mg L−1. Phosphine-resistant strains did not show cross-resistance to SF. CONCLUSION Our research concluded that the current maximum registered rate of SF, 1500 gh m−3, is adequate to control all the post-embryonic life stages of T. castaneum over a 48 h fumigation period, but it will fail to achieve complete mortality of eggs, indicating the risk of some survival of eggs under this short exposure period. As there is no cross-resistance to SF in phosphine-resistant insects, it will play a key role in managing phosphine resistance in stored-grain insect pests. © 2014 Commonwealth of Australia. Pest Management Science © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry

Does Fumigation of Durum Wheat and Semolina with Sulfuryl Fluoride affect Quality of the Grain, Semolina and derived Spaghetti and Bread?

There is no information on the effect of sulfuryl fluoride (SF) on durum wheat technological properties and products made from fumigated durum wheat. Durum wheat and semolina were exposed to a range of SF applications under conditions that might be typically encountered in bulk storage facilities used in many countries. SF greatly reduced the germination percentage of fumigated durum wheat with increasing impact under higher SF concentration, grain moisture content, and fumigation temperature. SF greatly reduced seed germination percentage impacting more the higher the SF concentration. SF had little to no effects on grain test weight, 1000 grain weight, hardness, protein content, semolina ash content and mixograph properties. At the highest SF concentration (31.25 mg/L for 48 h) there was a tendency for pasta cooking loss to be increased but still acceptable while other pasta properties were largely unaffected. Fumigation with SF did not have any impact on the baking properties of a wholemeal durum flour-commercial flour mix. Therefore, SF is not recommended if the grains are to be used as seeds for agricultural production but for the production of semolina, pasta and bread, SF used under typical fumigation conditions has little to no impact on technological properties of durum wheat.

Does Fumigation of Durum Wheat and Semolina with Sulfuryl Fluoride affect Quality of the Grain, Semolina and derived Spaghetti and Bread?

There is no information on the effect of sulfuryl fluoride (SF) on durum wheat technological properties and products made from fumigated durum wheat. Durum wheat and semolina were exposed to a range of SF applications under conditions that might be typically encountered in bulk storage facilities used in many countries. SF greatly reduced the germination percentage of fumigated durum wheat with increasing impact under higher SF concentration, grain moisture content, and fumigation temperature. SF greatly reduced seed germination percentage impacting more the higher the SF concentration. SF had little to no effects on grain test weight, 1000 grain weight, hardness, protein content, semolina ash content and mixograph properties. At the highest SF concentration (31.25 mg/L for 48 h) there was a tendency for pasta cooking loss to be increased but still acceptable while other pasta properties were largely unaffected. Fumigation with SF did not have any impact on the baking properties of a wholemeal durum flour-commercial flour mix. Therefore, SF is not recommended if the grains are to be used as seeds for agricultural production but for the production of semolina, pasta and bread, SF used under typical fumigation conditions has little to no impact on technological properties of durum wheat.

Does fumigation of durum wheat and semolina with sulfuryl fluoride affect quality of the grain, semolina, and derived spaghetti and bread?

There is no information on the effect of sulfuryl fluoride (SF) on durum wheat technological properties and products made from fumigated durum wheat. Durum wheat and semolina were exposed to a range of SF applications under conditions that might be typically encountered in bulk storage facilities used in many countries. SF greatly reduced the germination percentage of fumigated durum wheat, with increasing impact under higher SF concentration, grain moisture content, and fumigation temperature. SF greatly reduced seed germination percentage, impacting more the higher the SF concentration. SF had little to no effect on grain test weight, 1,000-grain weight, hardness, protein content, semolina ash content, and mixograph properties. At the highest SF concentration (31.25 mg/L for 48 h) there was a tendency for pasta cooking loss to be increased but still acceptable, and other pasta properties were largely unaffected. Fumigation with SF did not have any impact on the baking properties of a wholemeal durum flour-commercial flour mix. Therefore, SF is not recommended if the grains are to be used as seeds for agricultural production, but for the production of semolina, pasta, and bread, SF used under typical fumigation conditions has little to no impact on technological properties of durum wheat. © 2016 AACC International, Inc.

Genetic analysis of resistance to root-lesion nematode (Pratylenchus thornei) in wheat

The inheritance of resistance to root-lesion nematode was investigated in five synthetic hexaploid wheat lines and two bread wheat lines using a half-diallel design of F1 and F2 crosses. The combining ability of resistance genes in the synthetic hexaploid wheat lines was compared with the performance of the bread wheat line 'GS50a', the source of resistance to Pratylenchus thornei used in Australian wheat breeding programmes. Replicated glasshouse trials identified P. thornei resistance as polygenic and additive in gene action. General combining ability (GCA) of the parents was more important than specific combining ability (SCA) effects in the inheritance of P. thornei resistance in both F1 and F2 populations. The synthetic hexaploid wheat line 'CPI133872' was identified as the best general combiner, however, all five synthetic hexaploid wheat lines possessed better GCA than 'GS50a'. The synthetic hexaploid wheat lines contain novel sources of P. thornei resistance that will provide alternative and more effective sources of resistance to be utilized in wheat breeding programmes

Survey of Fusarium species associated with crown rot of wheat and barley in eastern Australia

Fusarium species associated with crown rot were isolated and identified from 409 wheat, barley or durum wheat crops from the eastern Australian grain belt between 1996 and 1999. Fusarium pseudograminearum was almost the only species isolated from crops in Queensland and New South Wales. F. pseudograminearum was also the most common species in Victoria and South Australia, but F. culmorum was frequently isolated in these states. F. culmorum accounted for more than 70% of isolates from the Victorian high-rainfall (> 500 mm) region and the South-East region of South Australia. F. culmorum comprised 18% of isolates from the Victorian medium-rainfall (350-500 mm) region, and 7% of isolates from each of the Victorian low-rainfall region and the Mid-North region of South Australia. F. avenaceum, F. crookwellense and F. graminearum were isolated very infrequently. The proportion of F. culmorum among isolates of Fusarium from districts in Victoria and South Australia was strongly correlated with climatic conditions around the end of the growing season, especially with rainfall in November.