The proximate composition has been determined and information on the carbohydrates and fatty acid composition has been obtained for the mature seeds of five varieties of winged bean, Psophocarpus tetragonolobus (L.) DC. The proteins of one of these varieties have been fractionated and partially characterized. The results confirm that winged beans have a high protein and fat content, which is similar to soybeans. The mean protein content of the five varieties analyzed was 40.12%; the mean fat content was 16.94%. The endosperm in TPT-2 bean was found to constitute about 84% of the dry weight of the seeds, the hulls about 16%. Whole beans contain about 17% “dietary fiber", mostly (72%) in the hulls. Similar to soybeans, starch could not be detected in the mature beans and the soluble sugars (9.7 to 13.8%) consisted almost entirely of verbascose (0.2 to 0.9%), stachyose (2.2 to 3.6%), raffinose (1.1 to 2.0%) and sucrose (5.6 to 8.2%). The fatty acid composition of winged beans was also similar to soybeans, with a high degree of unsaturation (mean, 62.0%). The major unsaturated fatty acids were oleic and linoleic. Behenic and stearic acids were the major saturated fatty acids. Parinaric acid was not present in the five varieties of winged beans analyzed, although the presence of this toxic acid in winged beans had been reported earlier. The solubility of protein nitrogen was found to be a function of pH and salt concentration. The nitrogen solubility in water was lowest (17.6%) at pH 4.0 (the apparent isoelectric point). The maximum solubility in water at neutrality (pH 6.70) was about 60.4%. Solutions of Na₃PO₄ (0.5%, pH 11.0) extracted the most protein (86.0%), compared to 70% in 0.75-1.0 M NaCl (pH 6.95), 69% in 0.25 M Na₂SO₄ (pH 7.20) and 66% in 0.20-0.30 M Na₂HPO₄ (pH 9.20). This study also describes the preparation of protein concentrates (extracts), isolates (acid precipitates) and “wheys” from defatted bean flour. The amino acid composition of the concentrates, isolates, and “wheys” obtained from water, NaCl and Na₃PO₄ extraction were similar to the defatted bean flours, except that the precipitate from NaCl extraction contained a high amount of methionine. Lysine was higher than that found in soybeans with cystine and methionine as the limiting amino acids. Fractionation of the extracts on Biogel A-1.5M gave three to four fractions, two high molecular weight fraction components and one or two low molecular weight fractions. The acid precipitated protein from the water extract yielded two fractions of higher molecular weight proteins and a fraction of lower molecular weight. The “whey” from the water extract yielded two fractions, both of relatively low molecular weight proteins. The fractions from gel filtration, the original extracts, the acid precipitate and “whey” were all analyzed via polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The Na₃PO₄ extract was apparently highly aggregated as indicated by non-migration of the proteins. The NaCl and water extracts appeared to be similar with regard to complexity and molecular size. These extracts also showed evidence of aggregation. The acid precipitates were also highly aggregated especially that of the NaCl extract which did not migrate at all. The wheys were all well resolved. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the winged bean proteins indicated the presence of well-resolved proteins and/or subunits. SDS-PAGE patterns did not show any aggregation. The high molecular weight fractions appeared to consist of proteins with a molecular weight of about 74,000 while the low molecular weight fractions consisted of proteins with molecular weights of about 20,000. / Ph. D.

This report discusses the results of both an experimental test program and a finite element analysis of selected graphite/polyimide rail-shear test specimens. The two-dimensional finite element analysis includes both mechanical and thermal loading (differential expansion) of the specimens and their elastic rails. Parameters in this analysis of unidirectional and symmetric angle-ply laminates include ply layup angles, specimen length-to-width ratio, the effect of flexible rails and the method of load introduction to the specimen. Results of the analysis include shear and normal stress distributions. Two types of tensile rail shear fixtures were investigated experimentally: a uniform thickness, bolted rail shear fixture, loaded diagonally across the specimen test section; and a tapered-thickness, bonded rail shear fixture, loaded axially along the centerline of the specimen test section. Test results include room temperature and 600°F (315°C) strain data taken from various points on the specimen test section during loading. / Master of Science

Field experiments were conducted with the tomato cultivar Manapal during the 1971 and 1972 growing seasons to test the effects of mulching, pinching, and vine spreading on production of groundgrown, fresh market tomatoes. Pinching out the apex of tomato plants 7 days after field setting in 1971 delayed fruit harvest but did not affect total yield or fruit quality. Pinching gave no better natural distribution of foliage over the soil surface than non-pinching and made spreading more difficult by stimulating vegetative growth. Hand spreading the main branches of mature tomato vines prior to the first fruit harvest increased early season yield both years and increased total season yield in 1972 without affecting average fruit weight, percent marketable fruit, or percent ground scar and rot. Mulching with polyethylene coated kraft paper in 1971 did not influence average fruit weight or yield for either the early or total harvest season. Mulching increased the percent marketable fruit for the cumulative harvest through August but did not affect quality for the total harvest season. Mulching with black plastic in 1972 did not affect average fruit weight, yield, percent marketable fruit, or percent ground scar and rot for either the early or total harvest season. Mulching with a combination of plastic and straw decreased the percent of ground scar and rot compared to non-mulching for the total harvest season without influencing average fruit weight or percent marketable fruit. / Master of Science