No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

The composition of the non-starch polysaccharides in sweet potato was determined and their flatulence-inducing potential evaluated. A preparative adaptation of the AOAC enzymatic method was used to isolate the insoluble and soluble non-starch polysaccharides. The insoluble non-starch fraction was mainly cellulose, but contained a substantial amount of hemicellulosic glucose, suggesting the presence of an independent glucan fraction. Relatively small amounts of xylose, galactose, arabinose, mannose, rhamnose and fucose were present. Galactose was the predominant sugar in the soluble non-starch polysaccharide fraction, although substantial quantities of arabinose and mannose were also present. Xylose, rhamnose, glucose and fucose were also present in small quantities. Uronic acids also made up a substantial portion of the soluble non-starch polysaccharides. Appreciable protein and ash were present in both the insoluble and soluble NSP fractions. The in vitro test for gas production using Clostridium perfringens as a test organism showed that both the insoluble and soluble non-starch polysaccharides are potential flatulence-inducers in sweet potato. However, the presence of the hemicellulosic glucans in the insoluble fraction make the latter a more likely candidate for flatus-inducer. / Master of Science

M.S.

The main objectives of this study were to examine the nature of the basic-applied research continuum, to evaluate projected costs and benefits of the research continuum for a specific example, namely, the development of multiple disease resistant potato cultivars, and to examine the changing roles and interactions between public research institutions and private industry. Given the existing budgetary constraints and the increasing demands for accountability that research administrators and policy makers face, it seems necessary for decision makers to give adequate consideration to the existing interdependency of basic and applied research in determining the most appropriate levels of research to fund. The establishment of of an adequate balance of both basic and applied research is important in any attempts to maximize the returns from the research continuum while at the same time developing and maintaining new biotechnologies. The projected rate of return for potato disease resistant research was calculated at 34 percent which falls within the range given by similar studies. With the advent of the new biotechnologies such as genetic engineering, and the increased competition for the limited research dollars, there has been an evolving new relationship between universities and private industry in which universities are seeking more private funding and industry demanding more control of technologies developed through their funding. Separate but interdependent roles of both private companies and universities seems necessary for the achievement of desirable and a adequate maintenance of the research continuum. / M.S.

M.S.