Elaine J. Booth
Scottish Agricultural College
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Featured researches published by Elaine J. Booth.
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture | 1999
Catherine M.G.C. Renard; Gundolf Wende; Elaine J. Booth
Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd) is an Andean pseudo-cereal, of the Chenopodiaceae family, which is currently being studied for introduction in Northern Europe as an alternative to industrial crops. The aim of this work was to verify existence in quinoa of the distinctive cell wall features identified in other Chenopodiaceae, ie presence of pectin-bound ferulic acid and dehydrodiferulic acids. Alcohol-insoluble solids (AIS) were prepared from leaves, stems and roots of mature quinoa plants, representing 0.10, 0.20 and 0.47 g g−1 respectively of the fresh weight. Ferulic acid and dehydrodiferulic acid derivatives were present in all the organs, with the highest concentrations in the leaves with 2.1 and 0.5 mg g−1 AIS respectively. The ratio of dehydrodiferulic acid to ferulic acid was highest in the roots. Pectins extracted by hot HCl from AIS of leaves were rich in ferulic acid (3.4 mg g−1), but also highly acetylated (DAc 20), and rich in rhamnose, two characteristics encountered in other Chenopodiaceae. © 1999 Society of Chemical Industry
Industrial Crops and Products | 1995
Sheila E. Batchelor; Elaine J. Booth; Kerr C. Walker
Abstract Energy ratios were calculated for production of the rapeseed-oil-based diesel substitute rape methyl ester (RME) from winter oilseed rape. The energy ratio of a biofuel can be defined as the ratio of the non-renewable energy used in its production to the energy value of the fuel and any utilised by-products, i.e. energy input:energy output. For each energy input and output, a range of energy values was calculated to account for different soil and weather conditions and variation in yield. In addition, the range of energy inputs calculated accounted for variation in published estimates of the amount of energy required for various processes. The range of inputs and outputs included values calculated for worst-case (i.e. lowest seed yield, highest pesticide applications, etc.) and best-case scenarios, and two intermediate values, which represented inputs and outputs expected under typical conditions in Scotland. From this data, energy ratios were calculated for rape methyl ester production under best-case, worst-case and intermediate scenarios, with and without the inclusion of by-products. The results indicated that RME production is sustainable under all but the worst conditions. Utilisation of rapemeal greatly improved the energy ratio, but there remained a net loss in energy under the worst-case scenario. Glycerol utilisation had relatively little effect on the energy ratio, while the use of straw resulted in a net energy gain from the production of RME under all scenarios.
Industrial Crops and Products | 1998
Garth Entwistle; Sheila Bachelor; Elaine J. Booth; Kerr C. Walker
Abstract To assess the potential for increased utilisation of UK-grown crops by the industrial starch industry, three starch processing options were considered. Starch production from: home-grown potatoes, home-grown wheat and imported maize. Wheat starch processing margins were found to be similar to, but slightly more attractive than, maize starch processing margins. Both wheat and maize margins were significantly more attractive than potato starch margins. Productions refunds paid to industrial users of wheat starch are equal to maize refunds despite a lower European Union wheat procurement price, giving a small advantage to wheat starch. A review of EU starch policy indicates the UK is unlikely to be awarded a potato starch quota due to the absence of any potato starch manufacturing tradition, and the desire of the European Commission to restrict expenditure within the potato starch regime. These quotas allow the payment of fixed premiums to potato starch manufacturers. Without them potato starch manufacture is likely to be uneconomic, discouraging any development of a UK potato starch manufacturing industry. Development of wheat starch processing technology would appear to be economically attractive as well as beneficial, both in terms of import substitution and improving options for set-aside land use. The economics of wheat starch production was calculated for a 100 000 t per annum wheat starch plant. Margins were found to be highly dependant upon sale values of the co-product wheat gluten. Any increase in milling wheat imports within GATT agreements may reduce gluten demand, forcing prices down. Maize starch by-products are sold principally into the lower value animal feed markets and therefore, by-products prices, although important, have much less impact on processing margins than in wheat starch manufacture.
Renewable Energy | 1994
Sheila E. Batchelor; P. Cook; Elaine J. Booth; Kerr C. Walker
The cost of bioethanol production from wheat was found to be very sensitive to the price of wheat. When wheat is purchased at a typical current UK price of £115/tonne, the net cost of ethanol was calculated to be 38.3p per litre, but growing wheat on set aside at £45/tonne could result in a net ethanol cost of 21p/litre.
Journal of Experimental Botany | 2012
Oliver G. G. Knox; Robin L. Walker; Elaine J. Booth; Angus N. Crossan; Vadakattu V. S. R. Gupta
The transgenic traits associated with the majority of commercial genetically modified crops are focused on improving herbicide and insecticide management practices. The use of the transgenic technology in these crops and the associated chemistry has been the basis of studies that provide evidence for occasional improvement in environmental benefits due to the use of less residual herbicides, more targeted pesticides, and reduced field traffic. This is nicely exemplified through studies using Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ) assessments. Whilst EIQ evaluations may sometimes illustrate environmental benefits they have their limitations. EIQ evaluations are not a surrogate for Environmental Risk Assessments and may not reflect real environmental interactions between crops and the environment. Addressing the impact cultivated plants have on the environment generally attracts little public attention and research funding, but the introduction of GM has facilitated an expansion of research to address potential environmental concerns from government, NGOs, industry, consumers, and growers. In this commentary, some evidence from our own research and several key papers that highlight EIQ assessments of the impact crops are having on the environment are presented. This information may be useful as an education tool on the potential benefits of GM and conventional farming. In addition, other deliberate, accidental, and GM-driven benefits derived from the examination of GM cropping systems is briefly discussed.
Industrial Crops and Products | 2003
Robin L. Walker; Kerr C. Walker; Elaine J. Booth
Abstract This paper reports on the adaptation potential of the biennial novel crop, Honesty ( Lunaria annua L.), to the Scottish climate. L. annua is being developed as a crop because of interest, by the oleochemical industry, in fatty acids contained within its seed, notably erucic and nervonic acids. Optimum sowing rate of the seed in these trials was approximately 15 kg ha −1 in rows spaced 0.5 m apart giving a spring plant population of approximately 20 plants m −2 . Crops gave best yields when sown around mid May to mid June. A sowing date after mid July is unlikely to produce a harvestable crop. It should be possible to achieve yields approaching 2 t ha −1 in a commercial situation in Scotland, with this figure comparable to yields attained in trials in Southern England and the Netherlands. However, large seasonal variations in yield may be observed, as was the case here. A fatty acid content approaching 30% of the seed dry weight should be possible, with around 23% of this being oleic acid, 46% erucic acid and 20% nervonic acid. A major hurdle to commercialisation of L. annua is its biennial nature, although annual cultivars are being developed.
Outlook on Agriculture | 1996
Sheila E. Batchelor; Elaine J. Booth; Garth Entwistle; Kerr C. Walker; Ian M. Morrison; G. R. Mackay; Tom Ap Rees; Andy Hacking
Starch is an important ingredient in a wide range of foods. It is used as a thickener, to adjust texture, to improve appearance or to act as a filler. The starch industry also supplies a diverse range of non-food industries with starch and starch derivatives. These markets account for almost half of the total production of the European starch Industry, but only 25% of the total UK starch supply. Of the 216 221 † of starch used for Industrial markets in the UK, 30% is imported potato starch, 57% is maize starch processed in the UK from imported maize, and only 13% is wheat starch, which may be both grown and processed in the UK. This article surveys some of the industrial markets for starch, highlighting recent changes which have occurred and pinpointing areas of potential development which may increase non-food use of UK-grown starch in the future. This article is based on the findings of a LINK project which was funded under the Crops for Industrial Use Programme by the BBSRC, EPSRC, SOAFD, HGCA and PMB.
Archive | 1997
Sheila E. Batchelor; G. Entwistle; Kerr C. Walker; Elaine J. Booth; Ian M. Morrison; G. R. Mackay; A. Hacking; T. ap Rees
Starch is an important ingredient in a wide range of foods. It is used as a thickener, to adjust texture, to improve appearance or to act as a fiiller. The starch industry also supplies a diverse range of non-food markets with starch and starch derivatives. These markets account for approximately 37% of the output of the European starch industry and 24% of the total UK starch supply, but starch crops do not represent a signifiicant proportion of industrial cropping in the UK.
European Journal of Lipid Science and Technology | 2001
Kerr C. Walker; Elaine J. Booth
Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture | 1991
Elaine J. Booth; Kerr C. Walker; D. Wynne Griffiths