Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2005. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xiii, 118 p.; also includes graphics Includes bibliographical references (p. 114-118). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

Thesis (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1968. / eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Techn. Hochsch., Diss., 2005--Aachen.

Memoria para optar al título profesional de: Ingeniero Agrónomo Mención: Agroindustria / El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el efecto de distintas temperaturas de almacenamiento (0, 5 y 8 ºC), sobre la tasa respiratoria y calidad sensorial de germinados de alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) mínimamente procesados. Estos fueron lavados con agua potable a 5 ºC, secados y envasados en tarrinas de polietileno (PE), posteriormente fueron almacenados durante 6 y 8 días (95% de humedad relativa). Los parámetros medidos fueron: tasa respiratoria, color, sólidos solubles totales, acidez titulable y calidad sensorial. En ambos ensayos se observó una tendencia a la disminución de la tasa respiratoria a lo largo del almacenamiento, para todos los tratamientos. El tratamiento 0 ºC, presentó tasas significativamente más bajas en comparación a los otros dos tratamientos, con valores de 13,9 a 27,6 mg CO2 · kg-1 · h-1 en el ensayo 1 y de 19,2 a 39,8 mg CO2 · kg-1 · h-1 en el ensayo 2. El tratamiento 5 ºC registró tasas entre 23,1 y 45,1 mg CO2 · kg-1 · h-1 y 21,4 a 58,6 mg CO2 · kg-1 · h-1 en el ensayo 1 y 2 respectivamente. El tratamiento 8 ºC, presentó tasas significativamente mayores registrándose rangos entre 30,2 y 47,0 mg CO2 · kg-1 · h-1 en el ensayo 1 y 38,1 a 88,2 mg CO2 · kg-1 · h-1 en el ensayo 2. Con respecto a la evolución del color, en el ensayo 1 el tratamiento 0 ºC presentó menores valores de croma y tono, es decir, se observó un producto menos pardeado, con respecto a los otros tratamientos, registrándose valores promedio de croma en un rango 11,6 a 12,9 y tono entre 94 a 93,4. En el ensayo 2, sólo se observaron menores valores para el parámetro de tono para el mismo tratamiento, registrándose valores promedio entre 93,5 y 92,9. Se observaron aumentos significativos en la acidez a lo largo de los días de almacenamiento para los tres tratamientos, en el ensayo 1. En cuanto a la evolución de la calidad sensorial, se observaron diferencias en el ensayo 1, en los parámetros apariencia e intensidad de color, el tratamiento mejor evaluado fue el almacenado a 8 ºC. En el ensayo 2, el tratamiento 8 ºC fue el mejor evaluado en cuanto a apariencia, en cambio, fue el peor evaluado en cuanto a presencia de olores extraños. / The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different storage temperatures (0, 5 and 8 °C) on respiratory rate and sensory quality of alfalfa sprouts (Medicago sativa L.) minimally processed. The sprouts were washed with water at 5 °C, dried and packed in polyethylene (PE) trays, then were stored for 6 and 8 days (95% relative humidity). The parameters measured were: respiratory rate, color, total soluble solids, titratable acidity (TA) and sensory quality. Both trials showed a decrease in respiratory rate during the storage for all treatments. Treatment of 0 °C showed significantly lower rates as compared to the others two treatments with values of 13.9 to 27.6 mg CO2 · kg-1 · h-1 for trial 1 and 19.2 to 39.8 mg CO2 · kg-1 · h-1 for trial 2. Treatment at 5 °C reached 23.1 to 45.1 mg CO2 · kg-1 · h -1 and 21.4 to 58.6 mg CO2 · kg-1 · h-1, during trials 1 and 2 respectively. Treatment at 8 ºC, showed significantly higher rates, recording ranges from 30.2 to 47.0 mg CO2 · kg-1 · h-1 in trial 1 and 38.1 to 88.2 mg CO2 · kg-1 · h-1 in trial 2. Significant increases in the percentage of TA along storage days for the three treatments, in trial 1. Regarding the evolution of sensory quality, differences were observed in trial 1, appearance and intensity parameters of color, were the higher score was at 8 °C, compared to others. In trial 2, treatment at 8 ºC was the best evaluated for appearance, however, was the worst evaluated for the presence of off odour.

Quatro potros machos, sem raça definida, com peso médio de 197,25 Kg, foram utilizados em um delineamento experimental Quadrado Latino 4X4 (quatro animais e quatro períodos), com arranjo fatorial do tipo 2X2, para tratamentos, onde os fatores foram: processamento do feno de alfafa (em cubos X em ramas); com adição ou não de óleo refinado de soja, (com óleo X sem óleo), adicionado no cocho, sobre o concentrado em dietas contendo concentrado comercial na forma de peletes para : avaliar a digestibilidade aparente total da matéria seca, matéria orgânica, proteína bruta, extrato etéreo, fibra em detergente neutro, fibra em detergente ácido e a viabilidade econômica das dietas estudadas. A adição de óleo refinado de soja afetou positivamente a digestibilidade aparente total da MS (66,18%), (p< 0,0093), MO (70,66%), (p< 0,0111), para a dieta com a alfafa na forma de cubos; EE (90,52%), (p< 0,0001) e FDN (53,24%), (0,0257) da dieta com feno de alfafa na forma de ramas. O processamento da alfafa interferiu positivamente sobre a digestibilidade aparente total da PB (80,02%), (p< 0,0048), para a dieta com feno na forma de cubos; FDN (47,92%), (p< 0,0147) e FDA (43,40%), (p< 0,0237), para a dieta com feno na forma de ramas. Independentemente do processamento sobre o feno de alfafa, a adição de óleo refinado de soja aumentou de maneira significativa e econômica a digestibilidade da fração EE. Feno de alfafa na forma de ramas, com adição de óleo, seria a opção mais econômica para utilização na dieta de potros devido ao custo de mercado ser mais baixo. A adição de óleo refinado de soja na dieta composta por : concentrado comercial, em uma base volumosa de feno de alfafa, aumentou a densidade calórica (NDT ou ED (predita)) das dietas estudadas, não deprimindo a digestibilidade aparente total dos macros nutrientes orgânicos e de maneira economicamente viável, para as condições desse experimento. / Four male weanlings, without defined breed, were used in this study, with middleweight 197, 25 Kg in an experimental Latin-square design for four (four animals and four periods), with factorial arrangement of the type 2 X 2 for treatments, where the factors were: processing of the alfalfa hay (cubes X long-stem) and addition or not of refined soybean oil top dressed (with oil X without oil). Diets containing commercial concentrate in the pellets form aimed: to evaluate the total apparent digestibility of the crude matter, organic matter, crude protein, fat, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber and the economical aspects. The addition of refined soybean oil, affected positively the total apparent digestibility of the CM (66,18%), (p < 0, 0093), OM (70,66%), (p <0, 0111), for cubes fat diet; EE (90,52%), (p <0, 0001) and NDF (53,24%), (p <0, 0257), for long-stem hay more fat diet. The processing in the alfalfa hay interfered positively on the total apparent digestibility of CP (80,02%), (p < 0, 0048), for cube diet; NDF (47,92%), (p <0, 0147) and ADF (43,40%), (p <0, 0237) for long-stem diet. Independently of the processing on the alfalfa hay, the addition of refined soybean oil increased, significant and economical way the total apparent digestibility of the fat fraction. Alfalfa hay in the long-stem forms, with soybean oil addition, would be the most economical option for use in the diet of colts due to the cost of lower market. The addition of refined oil of soy in the composed diet for: commercial concentrate, in a forage base of alfalfa hay, increased the caloric density (TDN or DE (predict)) in the studied diets, not depressing the total apparent digestibility of the organic nutritious macros and in way economically viable, for the conditions of that experiment.

Alfalfa hay is one of the most important field crops in the United States, its regional price differences are driven by variations in quality, location, seasonality, and other features. This thesis investigates the impact of dairy cow inventories, lagged milk prices, corn prices, and alfalfa hay exports on alfalfa hay prices across regions and states utilizing a panel data. Furthermore, I analyze and depict a spatial economic distribution of alfalfa hay price variations with the support of SAS, ArcMap, and GeoDa. Results indicate that alfalfa hay exports are greatly contributing to higher alfalfa hay prices for the seven exporting states. Domestically, grain markets are highly linked to alfalfa hay markets and lagged milk prices as a derived demand have more influence than dairy cow inventories as a primary demand on alfalfa hay prices. Also, alfalfa hay prices are significantly and considerably different, and have positive spatial autocorrelation across states, following a consistent pattern with the lowest prices in the Midwest. Empirical evidence of this thesis may shed light on optimizing profit for dairy industries with an alternative ratio of fees crops and predicting when/where to sell/buy alfalfa hay for hay industries.

Memoria para optar al título profesional de Ingeniero Agrónomo / La industria de hortalizas mínimamente procesadas en fresco (MPF) utiliza comúnmente lavados con hipoclorito de sodio (NaClO) para disminuir la carga microbiana del producto, sin embargo, éste genera subproductos perjudiciales para la salud. Por esto, la necesidad de encontrar nuevas tecnologías emergentes y sostenibles como la radiación UV-C. El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo evaluar el efecto de la aplicación de diferentes dosis de radiación UV-C sobre la calidad de brotes de alfalfa envasados en atmósfera modificada. Se realizaron dos ensayos utilizando bolsas de baja y alta permeabilidad. Los brotes fueron lavados con agua potable y tratados con UV-C en dosis de 0,35, 5,26, 10,18, 15,09 y 20,01 kJ m-2. Tras la aplicación del tratamiento UV-C, los brotes se envasaron en atmósfera modificada y se almacenaron a 5 °C por 8 días. Como testigo se utilizaron brotes lavados con NaClO (100 mg L-1) y envasados de la misma forma. Se evaluó la tasa respiratoria, composición gaseosa al interior de las bolsas, color, análisis microbiológico y sensorial. La combinación de radiación UV-C con bolsas de baja permeabilidad no fue efectiva para mantener la calidad en los brotes de alfalfa. La tasa respiratoria de los brotes no se vio afectada por las dosis de radiación utilizadas. La concentración gaseosa al interior de las bolsas registró valores de 19 a 23% CO2 y 1,5% para O2 tras 8 días, no influyendo las distintas dosis de radiación utilizadas. Los tratamientos con NaClO y en especial el tratamiento en bolsa perforada, reflejaron un menor pardeamiento en comparación a los tratamientos con dosis elevadas de UV-C (15,09 y 20,01 kJ m-2). El tratamiento con dosis de 20,01 kJ m-2 obtuvo los recuentos más elevados en mésofilos y psicrófilos, mientras que en enterobacterias, Lactobacillus, además de hongos y levaduras no existieron diferencias entre los distintos tratamientos, no obstante los conteos se encontraron dentro de los límites permitidos. La calidad sensorial de los brotes no registró diferencias significativas entre los tratamientos, sin embargo presentaron un deterioro evidente fuera de los límites de aceptabilidad fijados, teniendo un potencial de almacenamiento no superior a 4 o 5 días. Las bolsas de alta permeabilidad en conjunto con la aplicación de radiación UV-C, fueron efectivas para mantener la calidad general en brotes de alfalfa. La tasa respiratoria no se vio afectada por las distintas dosis de radiación utilizada. Al interior de las bolsas, se registraron concentraciones gaseosas de 2 a 3% para CO2 y 4 a 8% para O2 luego de 8 días. La radiación UV-C permitió mantener el color de los brotes, registrando diferencias sólo los tratamientos 10,18 y 20,01 kJ m-2 que presentaron un color más intenso (mayor C*), mientras que la L y Hab se mantuvieron sin diferencias significativas. Las dosis (15,09 y 20,01 kJ m-2) proporcionaron un control efectivo sobre el crecimiento de mesófilos, psicrófilos, enterobacterias, además de hongos y levaduras, mientras que dosis bajas y medias de radiación registraron conteos más elevados. Las distintas dosis de radiación UVC permitieron mantener la calidad sensorial de los brotes. La apariencia y turgencia se mantuvieron dentro de los rangos “más que regular” a “buena”, la intensidad de color dentro del rangos “bueno” a “muy bueno” y la presencia de sabores extraños dentro de los rangos “sin sabor” a “muy suave”, dentro de los límites permitidos. / The minimally processed fresh vegetables (MPF) industry commonly uses sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) washings to reduce the microbial load. However, it generates harmful by-products to health. Therefore, it is necessary to study new emerging and sustainable technologies such as the UV-C radiation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of applying different UV-C radiation doses on the quality of germinated alfalfa in modified atmosphere packaging. Two trials were conducted using low and high permeability bags. The germinated alfalfa was washed with water and treated with 0.35, 5.26, 10.18, 15.09 and 20.01 kJ m-2 UV-C doses. Then, the germinated alfalfa was packed in modified atmosphere and stored at 5 °C for 8 d. Control outbreaks were washed with NaClO (100 mg L-1) and packaged in the same way. The respiration rate, atmosphere composition, colour, microbiological and sensory quality were evaluated. The combination of UV-C radiation with low permeability bags was not effective in maintaining the germinated alfalfa quality. The respiration rate was not affected by the UVC radiation doses. The atmosphere composition inside the bags showed values ranging from 19 to 23% CO2 and 1.5% O2 after 8 d, but it was not influenced by the different UV-C radiation doses. The treatments with NaClO and specially the treatment in perforated bag showed less enzymatic browning compared to germinated alfalfa treated with high UV-C doses (15.09 and 20.01 kJ m-2). Treatment with 20.01 kJ m-2 doses reported the highest counts for mesophilic and psycrophilic microorganisms, while enterobacteria, Lactobacillus, yeasts and fungi did not show significantly statistical differences between treatments and the values were within the legal permitted limits. The sensory quality of the germinated alfalfa did not differ significantly between treatments, but showed a clear deterioration beyond the set limits for acceptability, having a storage potential no longer than 4 or 5 d. The bags of high permeability in conjunction with UV-C radiation were effective in maintaining the overall quality of germinated alfalfa. The respiration rate was not affected by the UV-C radiation doses. The internal atmosphere composition was 2 to 3% CO2 and 4 to 8% O2 after 8 d. Treatments with UV-C radiation doses at 10.18 and 20.01 kJ m-2 allowed the outbreak colour to be preserved. However, germinated alfalfa treated at 20.01 kJ m-2 had a deeper colour (higher C*), while L and Hab stayed without statistical significantly differences. Doses at 15.09 and 20.01 kJ m-2 provided an effective growth control for mesophilic, psycrophilic, enterobacteria, fungi and yeasts, while low and medium UV-C radiation doses reported higher counts. Different UV-C radiation doses maintained the sensory quality of germinated alfalfa. Grades for appearance and turgidity ranged from "rather than regular" to "good", while colour intensity was graded as "good" to "very good" and off flavours ranged from "no flavour" to "too soft", within the set permitted limits.

Memoria para optar al título profesional de: Ingeniero Agrónomo Mención Agroindustria / No autorizada por el autor para ser publicada a texto completo / En este estudio se evaluó el efecto de los agentes sanitizantes sobre la calidad funcional y microbiológica en los brotes de alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Los brotes fueron sumergidos durante 5 minutos en soluciones sanitizantes de hipoclorito de sodio (HS; 100 mg L-1), ácido peroxiacético (APA; 90 mg L-1), dióxido de cloro (DC; 10 mg L-1) y clorito de sodio acidificado (CSA; 500 mg L-1), que luego fueron envasados en bolsas plásticas (60 g) y almacenados a 5 °C durante 7 a 8 días. Los parámetros evaluados fueron: tasa respiratoria, atmósfera modificada, luminosidad (L), croma (C*), tono (Hab), fenoles totales, capacidad antioxidante, análisis microbiológicos y sensoriales. Los brotes de alfalfa lavados en las soluciones sanitizantes presentaron un aumento en la tasa respiratoria en todos los tratamientos. El hipoclorito de sodio, ácido peroxiacético y dióxido de cloro no afectaron el parámetro de color ni la calidad sensorial. Sin embargo, el clorito de sodio acidificado registró un leve pardeamiento y menores valores en calidad sensorial. El menor recuento microbiológico durante el tiempo de almacenamiento lo obtuvo el clorito de sodio acidificado, alcanzando una reducción promedio de 1,3 log UFC g-1. El contenido de fenoles totales y la capacidad antioxidante presentaron un leve aumento durante el almacenamiento a 5 °C, pero sin diferencias significativas entre los tratamientos.

Forage growth in the subarctic is sub-optimal due to low soil nutrient levels. Forage crops in the Yukon Territory consistently require nitrogen (N) and phosphorus fertilization to meet plant requirements. Fertilization is expensive due to transportation costs and potentially harmful to the environment so alternative, more sustainable, sources of nutrients are being sought. Alfalfa is an alternative, but there is limited knowledge in the Yukon of the benefits and management of this crop as a replacement for fertilizer N. Experiments were carried out in south central Yukon during the 2005 and 2006 field seasons to examine the potential of co-inoculation of alfalfa with N-fixing Ensifer meliloti and phosphate-solubilizing Penicillium bilaii to increase the dry matter yield and N fixation of monoculture alfalfa (Medicago sativa) cv Peace and binary mixed alfalfa with smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis) cv Carlton or timothy (Phleum pratense) cv Climax forage swards. Interactions between alfalfa inoculation and N fertilization and late season harvest treatments were assessed. The TagTeam® inoculant from Philom Bios was used as the rhizobium source which contains both Ensifer meliloti isolate NRG-34 and Penicillium bilaii isolate PB-50. Nitrogen fixation was determined using the total plant N difference method. Alfalfa growth and nodulation was successful in the trials. Inoculation had a positive impact on N fixation, whereas urea fertilizer at 25 kg N/ha had a negative impact in most cases. In the mixed alfalfa and smooth bromegrass stand there was a positive contribution from the alfalfa in both the establishment and second year with N fixation rates of up to 14 kg/ha. In the mixed timothy and alfalfa stand the N fixation reached 35 kg/ha in the establishment year and 102 kg/ha in the second year. In the establishment year the dry matter yield and N fixation of the TagTeam® inoculated, monoculture alfalfa plots were 3.1 t/ha and 77 kg N/ha. In the second year, the unharvested inoculated alfalfa treatment yielded 3.4 t/ha with N fixation of 66 kg/ha compared to the late harvest treatment which yielded only 1.5 t/ha and an N fixation rate of 20 kg/ha. The effects of the late season harvest are startling and reflect the importance of removing grazing animals during the fall to allow plant energy reserves to accumulate in the roots. Fertilizer N replacement is possible with the seeding of alfalfa into existing hay stands or in monoculture. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate

Ph. D.