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Profit potential in custom-grown soybean varieties for cooking
Missouri Growers can profit from soybean varieties whose oils are tailored for human health or improved fuels and lubricants at the University of Missouri Delta Research Center's 46th annual field day set for Aug. 31. By combining genes, breeders can tailor some of the novel fatty acid profiles found in soybeans for value-added custom or specialty uses such as low saturate oil used in cooking oils, said Grover Shannon, MU agronomist. "Great progress has been made to genetically modify these soybean fatty acid profiles such as low saturates through traditional breeding, mutation breeding and transgenic approaches," he said. Low saturate foods are in greater demand to lower cholesterol and reduce heart disease. Delta Center researchers have been able to produce soybean lines reducing low saturates from 15 to 7 percent. Linolenic acid, another soybean fatty acid, also has been reduced in test plots from 8 to 3 percent, he said. Linolenic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that tends to have shorter shelf life, low stability at cooking temperatures and off-flavors. Linolenic acid is unstable and must be hydrogenated, but this process results in the formation of trans-fatty acids associated with cholesterol and heart disease. Low linolenic acid soy oil is now being used by major U.S. food chains. Researchers also are increasing the amount of oleic acid in soybeans from 24 to 55 percent. This oil provides increased stability at cooking temperatures and reduces the need for hydrogenation, reducing trans-fats. In addition to food applications, high oleic oil could be used in the manufacture of soy diesel, lubricants and hydraulic oils. When combined with lower saturates, oleic acid oil can improve ignition and cold flow in cooler climates. Other field day soybean tours will discuss foliar fungicides and beds versus no-bed soybean production. Cotton tours will feature seeding rates, insect control and variety selection. Information also will be given on weed control, skip-row irrigation and fine tuning nitrogen on corn crops. Tours run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. No registration is required, and the field day is free and open to the public. Lunch is provided. The MU Delta Research Center is located eight miles southeast of Portageville at the intersection of State routes T and TT. For more information, call the center at 573-379-5431.
0 None Date: 8/29/07 Advertisement
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