A single analytical platform for the rapid and simultaneous measurement of protein, oil and beta glucan contents of oats using Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy

Effective near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) predictive calibrations were developed for simultaneous multiple component measurement of constituents (protein, oil, and β-glucan contents) in whole and ground oat groats. The use of whole oat groats as a starting material represents an advancement in the science as it precludes the need for sample grinding. Samples were collected from the 2015 and 2016 crop years from various locations in the United States (South Dakota, North Dakota, Washington, Iowa, and Wisconsin), representing a large geographical region and diverse genetic range (N = 500). Predictive calibration equations were developed based on the modified partial least squares (MPLS) regression technique. Reference analyses were done using standard methods approved by AACC International and AOCS (AACCI Method 32-23.01 for β-glucan content, AACCI Method 46-30.01 for crude protein content, AOCS Standard Procedure Am 5-04 for oil content, and AACCI Method 44-15.02 for moisture content). The use of validation sample sets for each constituent, which were independent of samples used in NIRS calibration development, served as additional evidence of accuracy and precision. High coefficient of determination (R2) and one minus variance ratio (1-VR) and low standard error of calibration (SEC) and standard error of cross-validation (SECV) values provided evidence supporting the accuracy and precision of the calibration models developed for estimation of oat β-glucan, protein, and oil contents. The NIRS calibration for estimation of β-glucan content of ground oat groats yielded R2, SEC, SECV, and 1-VR values of 0.94, 0.16, 0.22, and 0.87, respectively. Protein calibration for ground oat groats yielded R2, 1-VR, SEC, and SECV values of 0.94, 0.93, 0.61, and 0.64, respectively. Calibration employing ground oat groats for oil content estimation yielded high R2 and 1-VR values of 0.93 and 0.92, respectively, and low SEC and SECV values of 0.23 and 0.26, respectively. Whole oat groat NIRS calibrations proved to be as effective as ground groat calibrations. Whole oat groat β-glucan calibrations yielded excellent R2, SEC, SECV, and 1-VR values of 0.93, 0.18, 0.23, and 0.89, respectively. For protein calibrations of whole oat groats, R2, SEC, SECV, and 1-VR values were 0.92, 0.70, 0.80, and 0.89, respectively. Oil content calibration developed with whole oat groats yielded R2, SEC, SECV, and 1-VR values of 0.90, 0.27, 0.30, and 0.88, respectively. This study showed that NIRS is an accurate and effective technology for oat quality measurement in plant breeding programs and food processing

Incidence of Penicillium verrucosum in Grain Samples from Oat Varieties Commonly Grown in South Dakota

Ochratoxin A (OTA) can cause toxicogenic effects in humans and animals when contaminated food products are consumed. Oat ( Avena sativa), like any other cereal grain, can be contaminated with OTA when storage conditions are favorable for fungal growth and toxin production. South Dakota is among the leading oat-producing states in the United States. It is therefore important to determine the frequency of occurrence of the primary OTA-producing fungal species on oat grains produced in the state. In this study, we evaluated oat grain samples from South Dakota for the incidence of Penicillium verrucosum, the major ochratoxigenic fungus in temperate regions. Kernels from 12 oat cultivars grown at multiple locations in South Dakota from 2014 to 2016 (15 location-year combinations) were plated on dichloran yeast extract sucrose glycerol agar medium. P. verrucosum was detected on 0.30, 0.19, and 0.05% of the kernels tested in 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively. Overall, 22 of the 360 evaluated samples had kernels contaminated with P. verrucosum. The fungal incidence of the contaminated samples ranged from 1 to 16%, and the majority of those samples originated from one location. All samples from 2014 and 2015 ( n = 240), except two, had no detectable levels of OTA. The concentration of OTA was well under the maximum limit recommended by the European Union for the two samples with detectable levels of OTA

Registration of oat cultivar Natty

The development of oat (Avena sativa L.) cultivars with improved grain yield and excellent test weight is necessary to increase the profitability of oat production. ‘Natty’ (Reg. no. CV‐385, PI 676027) was developed by the South Dakota State University (SDSU) oat breeding program and was released in 2014. The pedigree of Natty is SD020701//SD030888/ND030349. Natty exhibited high grain yield potential and excellent test weight when evaluated in the South Dakota Crop Performance Testing Oat Variety Trials and in the Uniform Early Oat Performance Nursery. The grain of Natty is characterized by a large proportion of plump kernels and groats with low beta‐glucan and oil content. Natty is resistant to smut, moderately susceptible to susceptible to crown rust, and moderately tolerant to Barley yellow dwarf virus. Natty is a tall and early‐maturing cultivar suited for the production of oat grain for the feed market. Although its milling quality is good, the low beta‐glucan content of Natty is not desirable for the food market. Based on its height, Natty is also suited for straw production. Three of the oat cultivars released by SDSU were named after Lon Hall\u27s grandchildren; Natty is one of them. Lon Hall was oat breeder at SDSU from 2001 to 2014