Brassica napus is grown as an edible oil (canola) and an industrial oil (HEAR). Its fatty acid profile and chlorophyll concentration affect the quality. It is important to develop accurate and efficient methods to evaluate these traits. The first objective of this study was to improve the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and sequence characterized amplified region (SCAR) molecular markers for erucic acid genotypes in the Bn-FAE1.1 and Bn-FAE1.2 genes in the A and C genomes in Brassica napus originally developed by Rahman et al. (2008). When put into practice, the error rate was unacceptably high. With the modifications that were made to the protocols, the overall accuracy remained relatively consistent indicating that further improvements are still required. The second objective was to develop a near infrared reflectance (NIR) based calibration equation for chlorophyll concentration in whole Brassica napus seeds. In this case, an equation was successfully created.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2007. / Title from title screen (site viewed June 17, 2008). PDF text: xiii, 152 p. : ill. (some col.) ; 2 Mb. UMI publication number: AAT 3293917. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in microfilm and microfiche formats.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Baylor University, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 184-195).

No description available.

Sustainability of the soybean industry relies on the growth of new industries and the continued improvement of seeds for utilization. Grower adoption and growth of the edamame industry has been slow in part due to insufficient information on its potential profitability and marketability. As such, the first and second objectives of this thesis aimed at 1) determining production costs of hand-harvested fresh edamame enterprise and 2) exploring consumer willingness-to-pay (WTP) for fresh, local, organic, and "on-the-stalk" marketed edamame. Sucrose, raffinose, and stachyose sugars hold tremendous implications for utilization of soybean seeds in livestock, soyfood, and probiotics industries. Current sugar phenotyping methods using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) are costly and inefficient. Therefore, the third objective of this study was to develop calibrations to predict sugar content using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). Results showed that labor accounted for 72% of production costs for edamame pods, which largely limits its profit potential. Mean WTP for fresh and local edamame exceeded their frozen and non-local counterparts by 94 and 88 cents, respectively. In addition, mean WTP for organic edamame exceeded non-GMO edamame by 33 cents. Pro-environmental attitudes appeared to be a consistent driver of WTP these three attributes. Meanwhile, a 40-cent discount for "on-the-stalk" edamame compared to pods indicates convenience may also be a factor in edamame marketability. Calibration development for sucrose and stachyose was successful, with R2cal, R2cv, RMSEC, and RMSECV of 0.901, 0.869, 0.516, and 0.596, and 0.911, 0.891, 0.361, and 0.405, respectively. Alternative methods should be investigated for quantification of raffinose. / Master of Science / Sustainability of the soybean industry relies on the growth of new industries and the continued improvement of seeds for utilization. Grower adoption and growth of the edamame industry has been slow in part due to insufficient information on its potential profitability and marketability. As such, the first and second objectives of this thesis aimed at 1) determining production costs of hand-harvested fresh edamame and 2) exploring relative marketing potential of fresh, local, organic, and "on-the-stalk" edamame. Sucrose, raffinose, and stachyose sugars hold tremendous implications for utilization of soybean seeds in livestock, soyfood, and probiotics industries. Current methods of quantifying sugar are costly and time inefficient. Therefore, the third objective of this study was to develop prediction models to estimate sugar content using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS). Results showed that labor accounted for 72% of production costs for edamame pods, which largely limits its profit potential. Fresh and local edamame showed considerable marketing potential over frozen and non-local edamame. In addition, organic edamame showed marginal marketing benefit over non-GMO. Pro-environmental attitudes were an important driver of these results. Meanwhile, on-the-stalk edamame shows poor marketing potential, likely due to preference for convenience of food preparation in the U.S. NIRS prediction models for sucrose and stachyose showed strong predictive accuracy and low error, suggesting potential for implementation. The prediction model for raffinose, however, remained poor.

Thesis (MScAgric)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) was evaluated as a tool to predict the chemical composition of ostrich meat, mutton and feedstuffs. Seventy-three calibrations were developed. NIRS analyses were conducted on an InfraAlyzer 500 spectrophotometer between 1100 and 2500 nm wavelengths. Near infrared reflectance calibrations were developed for (i) the proximate chemical composition of ostrich meat; (ii) the proximate chemical and mineral composition of mutton; (iii) the chemical composition and digestibility of lupins, full-fat canola and the determination of alkaloids in lupins; (iv) the chemical composition and digestibility of winter grains and maize; (v) the chemical composition and digestibility of cereal hay, cereal straw, wheat stubble and alfalfa-grass/hay mixtures. The chemical composition of different types of winter grain produced in the Western Cape area of South Africa, as well as the chemical composition and digestibility of winter grain hay and straw produced in a Mediterranean rainfall area were also determined. Near infrared reflectance spectrometry proved to be successful for the prediction of crude protein (CP) and fat in both animal species, as well as for ash and dry matter (DM) in freeze-dried mutton. Accurate calibrations were also developed for certain minerals (K, P, Na, Mg, Fe and Zn). Calibrations proved to be accurate for all the relevant chemical constituents in lupins, as well as the DM, CP and fat calibrations in full-fat canola. The alkaloid calibration showed potential although more samples should be included for a more accurate calibration. Winter grain calibrations were accurate for fat, acid detergent fibre (ADF), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), lysine and methionine. All chemical composition calibrations of maize, except for ash, were accurate for future prediction. Chemical composition calibrations of wheat stubble and alfalfa-grass hay mixtures resulted in prediction with similar or slightly higher accuracy than calibrations reported in the literature. The calibrations developed for cereal hay and straw were not suitable for prediction purposes. Possible reasons were discussed to explain these inaccurate calibrations. Variation shown between different types of cereal grain (2-row barley, 6-row barley, oats, wheat and triticale) accentuated the need for the analysis of different batches of grain produced under different conditions for use in animal feed. The chemical composition and digestibility of winter grain straw and hay were also obtained. These values provide a database for calculation of inclusion levels of these feedstuffs in animal diets. These investigations showed the NIRS to be a successful and rapid tool for the prediction of the chemical composition of ostrich and lamb meat and locally produced feedstuffs. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Naby infrarooi refleksie spektroskopie (NIRS) is geëvalueer as 'n metode om die chemiese samestelling van volstruis- en skaapvleis, asook voedingsgewasse te voorspel. Drie en sewentig kalibrasies is ontwikkel. NIRS ontledings is gedoen met ‘n InfraAlyzer 500 spektrofotometer tussen die golflengtes 1100 en 2500 nm. Naby infrarooi refleksie kalibrasies is ontwikkel vir (i) die basiese chemiese samestelling van volstruisvleis; (ii) die basiese chemiese en minerale samestelling van lamsvleis; (iii) die chemiese samestelling en verteerbaarheid van lupiene en volvet kanola en die bepaling van alkaloïede in lupiene; (iv) die chemiese samestelling en verteerbaarheid van wintergrane en mielies; (v) die chemiese samestelling en verteerbaarheid van graanhooie, graanstrooie, koringstoppels and lusern-gras/hooi mengsels. Die chemiese samestelling van verskillende tipes wintergrane wat in die Wes-Kaap omgewing van Suid-Afrika geproduseer word, sowel as die chemiese samestelling en verteerbaarheid van wintergraanhooi en –strooi wat geproduseer word in ‘n Mediterreënse reënval omgewing, is ook bepaal. Naby infrarooi refleksie spektrofotometrie was suksesvol in die voorspelling van ru-proteïen (RP) en vet in beide dierspesies, sowel as vir die bepaling van as en droë materiaal (DM) in gevriesdroogde lamsvleis. Akkurate kalibrasies is ook ontwikkel vir sekere minerale (K, P, Na, Mg, Fe en Zn). Kalibrasies ontwikkel vir die chemiese samestellings komponente in lupiene is reg deur die bank akkuraat, sowel as die DM, RP en vet kalibrasies vir volvet kanola. Die alkaloïed kalibrasie het goeie potensiaal getoon, alhoewel meer alkaloïedmonsters benodig word vir ‘n akkurate kalibrasie. Wintergraan kalibrasies was akkuraat vir vet, suurbestande vesels (SBV), in vitro organiese materiaal verteerbaarheid (IVOMV), lisien en metionien. Al die chemiese komponent kalibrasies vir mielies, behalwe die een vir as, was akkuraat vir toekomstige bepalings. Chemiese komponent kalibrasies vir koring stoppels en luserngras/ hooi mengsels het akkuraatheid getoon wat gelyk, of effe beter, is as kalibrasies wat in die literatuur opgeteken is. Kalibrasies ontwikkel vir graanhooie en graanstrooie was nie geskik vir voorspellingsdoeleindes nie. Moontlike redes vir die onakkurate kalibrasies is volledig bespreek. Variasie gevind tussen verskillende tipes wintergrane (2-ry gars, 6-ry gars, hawer, koring en korog) het die behoefte beklemtoon vir ontledings van grane geproduseer onder verskillende omgewingstoestande vir gebruik in dierevoeding. Die chemiese samestelling en verteerbaarheid van wintergraanstrooi en –hooi is ook bepaal. Hierdie waardes verskaf ‘n databasis vir berekening by insluiting van hierdie voergewasse in diererantsoene. Hierdie ondersoek het bewys dat NIRS ‘n suksesvolle en vinnige metode is vir die voorspelling van die chemiese samestelling van volstruis- en lamsvleis en plaaslik geproduseerde voergewasse.

<p>The optical efficiency of a commercially available sputter deposited spectrally selective solar absorber was improved. The main purposes were to decrease the thermal emittance, increase the solar absorbtance of the absorber and to protect the substrate from degradation due to environmental influence. The adhesion properties between the corrosion-protecting barrier and the substrate were also studied. This project was focused on process improvements that are realistic to implement in industrial production.</p><p>The thermal emittance of the absorber was decreased from 0.12 to 0.06 by changing the material of the corrosion-protecting layer from nickel-chromium to copper-nickel. Copper-nickel was less sensitive to variations in the sputter parameters than nickel-chromium. A novel method that could simplify the search for alternative corrosion resistant materials with a low thermal emittance has been purposed. Since resistivity data usually exist or can easily be measured and infrared measurements require more sophisticated measurements, the Hagen-Rubens relation was investigated for copper-nickel and nickel-chromium alloys. The dc-resistivity was found to be related to the infrared emittance or the integrated thermal emittance for alloys in their solid soluble fcc phase.</p><p>The solar absorbtance was increased when a graded index absorbing coating was tailored for a crossover of the reflectance from low to high reflectance at about 2.5 µm. The solar absorber graded index coating was optimized for nickel metal content in nickel oxide and a solar absorptance of 0.89-0.91 was achieved. The solar absorptance was further increased to 0.97 when an antireflection coating was added on top of the absorbing layer.</p><p>Finally, extrapolation algorithms were developed to assure correct determination of the thermal emittance for coatings on glass since modern spectrometers that do not cover the complete wavelength interval required to calculate the thermal emittance of surfaces at room temperatures accurately. The error arising from the extrapolation algorithms were smaller than the noise from the optical measurements. Similar strategies can be used for other surfaces.</p>

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) and geostatistical techniques were used to predict diet quality of sub-Saharan African (SSA) livestock, and to create cokriged estimated diet quality maps for cattle across a landscape. Rations of native vegetation were stall-fed to cattle (Bos indicus), sheep (Ovis aries), and goats (Capra hircus) to generate diet-fecal pair data. Trials were conducted in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ghana. Historical data from Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Niger were included. Diet samples were analyzed for crude protein (CP%), and digestible organic matter (DOM%), while feces were scanned for NIR spectra. NIRS equations were developed from data using modified partial least square (MPLS) regression. Coefficients of determination (R2) of CP for cattle, sheep, and goats were 0.92, 0.95, and 0.97, with corresponding standard errors of calibration (SEC) being 0.90, 0.79, and 0.80, respectively. Standard errors of cross validation (SECV) for CP were 1.12%, 1.08%, and 1.03% for cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively. R2 and SEC values for DOM were 0.88, 0.94, 0.94 and 2.82%, 1.68%, and 2.65%, for cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively. Corresponding SECV values for DOM were 3.26%, 2.07%, and 3.30%, respectively. The statistics reported were within the acceptable limits for NIRS calibrations. The results indicate that dietary CP and DOM of free-ranging SSA livestock can be predicted with the same precision as that of conventional wet chemistry methods. The cattle equation was used to predict cattle fecal samples collected, from February to August 2000, from selected households located within the northern Ghana savanna. The predicted CP% and DOM% were used with Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) data, and cokriging technique to create diet quality maps for March and July 2000 for the northern Ghana savanna. Cross validation results indicated a moderate capability of cokriging to estimate predicted CP% for March (r2 = 0.687, SEp = 1.736) and July (r2 = 0.513, SEp = 1.558). Cokriged-estimated DOM value for July was above average (r2 = 0.584, SEp = 3.611), while March DOM% estimation was rather poor (r2 = 0.132, SEp = 3.891). The techniques of cokriging and creation of diet quality maps were moderately successful in this study.

The optical efficiency of a commercially available sputter deposited spectrally selective solar absorber was improved. The main purposes were to decrease the thermal emittance, increase the solar absorbtance of the absorber and to protect the substrate from degradation due to environmental influence. The adhesion properties between the corrosion-protecting barrier and the substrate were also studied. This project was focused on process improvements that are realistic to implement in industrial production. The thermal emittance of the absorber was decreased from 0.12 to 0.06 by changing the material of the corrosion-protecting layer from nickel-chromium to copper-nickel. Copper-nickel was less sensitive to variations in the sputter parameters than nickel-chromium. A novel method that could simplify the search for alternative corrosion resistant materials with a low thermal emittance has been purposed. Since resistivity data usually exist or can easily be measured and infrared measurements require more sophisticated measurements, the Hagen-Rubens relation was investigated for copper-nickel and nickel-chromium alloys. The dc-resistivity was found to be related to the infrared emittance or the integrated thermal emittance for alloys in their solid soluble fcc phase. The solar absorbtance was increased when a graded index absorbing coating was tailored for a crossover of the reflectance from low to high reflectance at about 2.5 µm. The solar absorber graded index coating was optimized for nickel metal content in nickel oxide and a solar absorptance of 0.89-0.91 was achieved. The solar absorptance was further increased to 0.97 when an antireflection coating was added on top of the absorbing layer. Finally, extrapolation algorithms were developed to assure correct determination of the thermal emittance for coatings on glass since modern spectrometers that do not cover the complete wavelength interval required to calculate the thermal emittance of surfaces at room temperatures accurately. The error arising from the extrapolation algorithms were smaller than the noise from the optical measurements. Similar strategies can be used for other surfaces.

Near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) and geostatistical techniques were used to predict diet quality of sub-Saharan African (SSA) livestock, and to create cokriged estimated diet quality maps for cattle across a landscape. Rations of native vegetation were stall-fed to cattle (Bos indicus), sheep (Ovis aries), and goats (Capra hircus) to generate diet-fecal pair data. Trials were conducted in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ghana. Historical data from Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Niger were included. Diet samples were analyzed for crude protein (CP%), and digestible organic matter (DOM%), while feces were scanned for NIR spectra. NIRS equations were developed from data using modified partial least square (MPLS) regression. Coefficients of determination (R2) of CP for cattle, sheep, and goats were 0.92, 0.95, and 0.97, with corresponding standard errors of calibration (SEC) being 0.90, 0.79, and 0.80, respectively. Standard errors of cross validation (SECV) for CP were 1.12%, 1.08%, and 1.03% for cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively. R2 and SEC values for DOM were 0.88, 0.94, 0.94 and 2.82%, 1.68%, and 2.65%, for cattle, sheep, and goats, respectively. Corresponding SECV values for DOM were 3.26%, 2.07%, and 3.30%, respectively. The statistics reported were within the acceptable limits for NIRS calibrations. The results indicate that dietary CP and DOM of free-ranging SSA livestock can be predicted with the same precision as that of conventional wet chemistry methods. The cattle equation was used to predict cattle fecal samples collected, from February to August 2000, from selected households located within the northern Ghana savanna. The predicted CP% and DOM% were used with Normalized Differential Vegetation Index (NDVI) data, and cokriging technique to create diet quality maps for March and July 2000 for the northern Ghana savanna. Cross validation results indicated a moderate capability of cokriging to estimate predicted CP% for March (r2 = 0.687, SEp = 1.736) and July (r2 = 0.513, SEp = 1.558). Cokriged-estimated DOM value for July was above average (r2 = 0.584, SEp = 3.611), while March DOM% estimation was rather poor (r2 = 0.132, SEp = 3.891). The techniques of cokriging and creation of diet quality maps were moderately successful in this study.