George O. Kohler

Alfalfa saponins and alfalfa seeds: Dietary effects in cholesterol-fed rabbits

Since alfalfa meal prevents hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis in rabbits and alfalfa saponins prevent the expected rise in cholesterolemia induced by dietary cholesterol in monkeys, the experiments being reported here were performed to determine whether alfalfa saponins affect atherogenesis in rabbits. In addition, the effects of alfalfa seeds were studied. Cholesterol-feb rabbits were randomly assigned to 3 groups: (a) control animals (N = 18); (b) animals maintained on a diet containing 1.0 to 1.2% alfalfa saponins (N = 18); and (c) animals maintained on a diet containing 40% alfalfa seeds (N = 17). Results after a 4-month observation period demonstrated that alfalfa saponins and alfalfa seeds reduce hypercholesterolemia, aortic sudanophilia, and the concentration of cholesterol in aortic intima-plus-media and in the liver, but do not induce changes in the hematocrit.

Potential for detoxified castor meal

Castor oil is a useful chemical raw material, but the pomace remaining after its extraction is potentially toxic and allergenic. Improving the economic value of castor pomace will provide considerable incentive for increased production of castor seed in the United States. Processes for detoxifying and deallergenating castor meal have been developed along with means for evaluating these processes. Castor meal may be used as a feed supplement for both ruminant and nonruminant animals.

The toxicity of alfalfa saponins in rats

Abstract Saponins were isolated from aerial alfalfa plants (alfalfa top saponins; ATS) and incorporated into semi-purified diets. Three groups of eight Sprague-Dawley male rats were fed, respectively, a semi-purified control diet or the same diet containing 1 or 2% ATS. The former ATS diet was fed for 6 months, the latter for 2 months. During the first 4 days, rats on ATS showed a depression of food intake, and 1% cholesterol was subsequently added to all the diets. ATS ingestion had no effect on food intake (after day 5), growth or survival, blood urea nitrogen, serum levels of glucose, creatinine, sodium, potassium, chloride, CO2, uric acid, calcium, phosphorus, total protein, albumin, total and direct bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase or glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase, erythrocyte and leucocyte counts, haemoglobin levels, haematocrit determinations or erythrocyte osmotic fragility. The levels of serum cholesterol and triglycerides were reduced in animals fed 1% ATS for 6 months. Post-mortem examination revealed no differences in gross or microscopic findings among the groups. Thus this study provided no evidence of toxicity associated with ATS in cholesterol-fed rats.

Factors Affecting Juice Extraction and Yield of Leaf Protein Concentrate from Chopped Alfalfa

ADSTRACTA twin screw press was used to dewater ground alfalfa feed material. The dewatering behavior of the ground alfalfa and the yield of leaf protein concentrate (LPC) were determined. Grinding signifi-cantly increased the extraction of juice, solids, and nitrogen from the feed alfalfa, the dry matter content of the resultant press cake, and the yield of LPC. The average yield of LPC was 15.2 percent of the ground alfalfa feed weight (dry basis), an increase of 62 percent compared to a chopped unground alfalfa control. The yield of LPC and other processing results were approximated by appropriate multiple linear equations. The yield of LPC was dependent on the temperature, dry matter, fiber and protein contents of the feed alfalfa. The yield of juice was dependent on the feed alfalfa fiber and dry matter contents.

Pilot-plant scale grinding and pressing of jojoba seeds

Jojoba seeds were successfully milled at ambient temperature using a modified 8 in. single disk attri-tion mill. Rates to 4000 lb/hr at low energy input (1.7 kwh/ton) were achieved. The oil was expressed with a laboratory screw press at yields from 27. to 33.6%. Multiple linear regression analysis showed the oil yield to be a function of the motor amperage and feed moisture content. The press throughput rate was a function of the motor amperage and the amount of fine and coarse particles in the milled feed.