Maize contains about 72% starch, 10% protein, and 4% fat, supplying an energy density of 365 Kcal/100 g (Nuss and Tanumihardjo, 2010) as compared to rice and wheat, but has lower protein content. “Maize provides many of the B vitamins, essential minerals and fiber, but lacks some other nutrients, such as vitamin B12, vitamin C, and generally, a poor source of calcium, folate, and iron. Iron malabsorption, particularly the non- heme iron present in maize, can occur in the presence of anti-nutrients or foods in the diet, such as vegetables, tea (e.g., oxalates), coffee (e.g., polyphenols), eggs (e.g., phosvitin), and calcium in milk” (Dale and Niernberger,1982; Nuss and Tanumihardjo, 2010). The fortification of maize flour and cornmeal with iron …show more content…
The quality of white maize is important since it affects the milling performance, grading, and yield of high-quality products. Maize can also be classified based on the size and composition of the endosperm, resulting in an artificial definition by kernel type as follows: dent, flint, waxy, flour, sweet, pop, Indian, and pod corn. Another difference or classification criterion is the sweetness or amount of sugar. The amount of residual sugar depends on the variety of maize and when it is harvested from the field. Sweet maize stores poorly and must be consumed fresh or processed before the kernels age, becoming small, tough, and starchy. Sweet maize varieties cannot be fortified (Brown and Darrah, 1985; Gibson and Benson, …show more content…
European and African countries originally banned GM maize, but while still very controversial, this position may be changing as the benefits of Bt corn become accepted. In 2011, herbicide-resistant GM maize was cultivated in 14 countries (James, 2011). By 2012, 26 varieties of herbicide resistant GM maize were authorized for import into the European Union (GMO Compass, 2014) and in 2012, the European Union was reported to import 30 million tons of GM crops. The GM maize MON810 was cultivated on almost 89,000 hectares in five European countries, particularly in regions with high incidence of maize borer (GMO Compass, 2014). It seems that there exists no nutritional difference with Bt maize; therefore, its presence or absence should have no effect on fortification technology or policy (Nestel et al., 2006; Banziger and Long, 2000; Graham et al., 1999; Bouis and Welch, 2010.). Maize milling and the different types of milled products made from maize have also been documented. The main products, all of which can and are being fortified, are meal, flour, precooked meal, dry masa or hominy flour, and breakfast cereals. In addition, there are other fortified products, such
The process by which high fructose corn syrup is made is complicated. To start, ordinary corn syrup must be obtained. Then, enzymatic processes increase its original sweetness. To produce the basic un-enhanced corn syrup, wet milling is a commonly used technique. Wet-milling includ...
In the first third of the book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, by Michael Pollan, he draws the reader in by bringing to light many interesting facts about corn that most individuals may not realize. He states that the majority of food that people consume contains corn. Although people of Mexican descent are usually referred to as the “corn people”, Americans have now surpassed them in the amount of corn consumed in their daily diet. Corn is consumed in a variety of forms and many of the animals that are eaten by Americans, such as the chicken, pig, turkey, and lamb are fed corn. When a person eats these animals, he or she is essentially increasing their corn intake, and in most cases without even realizing it. The corn crop has spread vastly and is massively produced because it is efficient. Unlike other crop plants, corn can survive in harsh weather conditions and it is light and easy to transport. Maize is also self-fertilized and pollinated by wind, and it has evolved over time and continues to evolve, into new forms and new uses.
Currently, the United States is the largest producer of corn in the world. In 2010, it produced 32% of the world’s corn crop. Corn is grown on approximately 400,000 U.S. farms, showing the importance of corn in the United States’ diets. Twenty percent of the corn produced is exported and corn grown for grain accounts for almost one quarter of the harvested crop acres in this country (National Corn Grower's Associatio...
The Aztec Empire started out small, and became a ginormous empire with many advanced systems. The Aztec Empire was at its height at 1350 to 1519. The empire was an island located at the sight of present-day Mexico City. The Aztecs began to build their empire in the same spot where they saw an eagle sitting on a cactus devouring a serpent. In the Aztec Empire, the Aztec society revolved around agriculture, farming crops, and human sacrifice, the act of killing humans as a part of religion. Historians don’t know which topic to emphasize. Should historians emphasize agriculture or human sacrifice? Human sacrifice is a dark topic that happened in this empire, but their agriculture was also a big help in the Aztec’s everyday life.
One of the most prominent crops in the GMO industry is Bt corn. The Bt pesticide stands for Bacillus Thuringiensis. Scientists transferred the Bt gene into the corn to create a crop that produces its own pesticides. As the corn matures, it grows stronger poi...
After viewing this documentary to the best of my ability I have learned numerous facts about corn and its pros/cons. Corn is stored in a silo and when an overflow occurs mountains of corn are made outside of the silos. This corn grown in the Midwest is in almost all of the food in every supermarket ranging from steak sauce to syrup to lasagna. Majority of its use is as a sweetener in the form of corn syrup or high
..., non-heme iron will be the prime source of iron implicated in her diet, which has been discovered to be a less absorbing iron found in plant-based sources than in comparison to heme iron, which is predominantly found in animal products. In order to effectively enhance the absorption of non-heme iron, adequate intake of vitamin C needs to be initiated within her diet. Zinc and iron must not be consumed in excess of each other in order to prevent deficiencies of either due to their counteracting mechanisms; however, it is not a major problem in vegan diets due to its rare incidence. Although Jenny Brown does not initiate supplements in her diet, Jenny can still receive adequate nutritional benefits that are essential for her health by consuming a variety of plant-based sources and following the recommended requirements of nutritional intakes, according to her status.
Maize also has uses beyond being used as a food source or being turned into oil. Maize’s main use is for food, but it can be used in creative ways. For example the popped kernels of maize, commonly referred to as ‘popcorn’ is seasoned and coated in different ways in order to make the ethnic foods of Vietnam and Peru. Corn is also used to create basic alternative medicines and herbal supplements using the corn silk, but this use is not often capitalized on. The starches from maize are a major source of material for products like plastics, fabrics, and adhesives. Also a by-product from the maize ‘wet milling’ process called ‘corn step liquor’ is of a major use to the biochemical industry because it is a perfect culture to grow many kinds of m...
According to scientists, genetically engineering crops contributes to their quality. Crops that have been genetically modified to have a particular trait can decrease the amount of herbicides needed for growing that crop. Additionally, genetically modified (GM) crops can help third world countries, where malnutrition is common. For example, to help diminish nutrient deficiencies in developing countries, “plans were underway to develop a golden rice that also has increased iron content”(Whitman 2). In addition, GM crops can be modified to be able to “withstand the environmental challenges of drought, disease, and insect infestation” (Swenson 1). Growing GM crops can also result in fruits and vegetables that stay fresh for a prolonged period of time and taste better.
Genetically modified (GM) foods have become omnipresent over the past decade. They are a technological breakthrough that allows humans to manipulate and add foreign genes to crops to enhance desired traits, but they have also evolved into a controversial issue, especially for Third World countries. Some people believe that GM foods not only provide larger yields to feed hungry citizens in Third World countries, but they can also be a source of great nutritional value. For example, researchers have developed a strain of golden rice containing high amounts of vitamin A and numerous other vitamins and minerals. Additionally, GM crops are laced with herbicides and pesticides, and therefore reduce the need for chemical consumption. Opponents of GM foods claim that they pose a threat to the health of consumers and that these crops could eventually cross-pollinate in an unregulated fashion or lead to the growth of superweeds and superbugs resistant to the herbicides and pesticides woven into the genetic fiber of the crops. Developed nations should promote research and monitoring from an ethical point of view and financial assistance through philanthropic ventures in order to limit environmental and health risks. They should also make sure that limited cultural displacement will result from the introduction of GM crops and that instead, a better livelihood and well-being through collaboration will emerge. Hence, GM crops should be introduced only provided that the developed nations assume the ethical and financial responsibilities for the environmental, health, and social consequences that attend this new innovation.
Humans depend on plants in numerous ways. One reason we depend on plants is for consumption. Plants have the unique ability of producing their own food through a process called photosynthesis. In this process, plants are able to produce macromolecules such as carbohydrates that cannot be produced in animals or humans. In humans, the only to gain these macromolecules is to consume plant matter, or consume plant-eating animals (herbivores).
Agriculture has always been one of the pillars that our nation’s economy depends upon. As this industry grows and expands agriculture is not just farming. There’s so many different occupations that are involved with the industry that aren’t out in the fields produces food and fiber. With such an evolving industry, education is key to make sure everyone is up to speed with the newest knowledge and technology. Agricultural education, plays a huge role in educating the people within the industry along with people that benefit from it.
The global population in the year 2050 is expected to be nine billion and the agricultural demand is expected to double. With the current population already over seven billion people, there are hunger issues all around the world (“New” par. 1). How are we going to deal with food shortages in the future? With less land to work with, strains on the soils, and the lack of water, it is getting harder for the farmers of the world to support our growing population. These complications are making it harder for farmers to produce quality, affordable food. To help the crops grow better, farmers use fertilizers and chemical sprays to enhance growth and control the weeds. Farming in the United States is a relevant business because it supplies people with food, provides people with jobs maintaining the used equipment with the new equipment being much more expensive, and it provides research for more efficient ways on how to feed the world.
To understand why is agriculture important in the world of today, then first of all we must know what agriculture is? Agriculture is the basic material production of society, the use of land for agriculture and livestock, mining plants and animals as raw materials and labor to produce mainly food and some raw materials for industry. Agriculture is a major industry, covering many disciplines: planting, breeding and processing of agricultural products; in the broadest sense, also including forestry and fisheries. Agriculture is an important economic sector in the economy of many countries, especially in the past century , when the industry has not yet developed. Since the dawn of history, agriculture has been one of the importance means of producing
Civilization began with agriculture, it allowed nomads to settle down, and form relationships, societies and eventually nations. But as our society developed, so did our means of farming. Whilst modern society greatly differs from our nomadic past, humanity still has fundamental dependence on agriculture.