Publications by authors named "Ricardo D Ekmay"

Single-cell protein from torula yeast () grown on lignocellulosic biomass has been proven to be an excellent alternative protein source for animal feed. This study aimed to evaluate the amino acid (AA) digestibility by estimating intestinal absorption from three yeast-based ingredients, produced by cultivating on hydrolysate, using either mixed woody species (drum- (WDI) or spray-dried (WSI)) or corn dextrose (drum-dried (DDI)) as the carbon source. Further, the protective effect of intestinal digests on activated THP1-Blue™-induced epithelial damage and cytokine profile was evaluated.

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DAS-444Ø6-6 soybean was genetically engineered (GE) to withstand applications of three different herbicides. Tolerance to glufosinate and glyphosate is achieved through expression of the phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT) and double-mutated maize 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3-phosphate synthase (2mEPSPS) enzymes, respectively. These proteins are expressed in currently commercialized crops and represent no novel risk.

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Event DAS-444Ø6-6 soybean is genetically modified (GM) to provide tolerance to 2,4-diclorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), glyphosate, and glufosinate herbicides through expression of the AAD-12, 2mEPSPS, and PAT proteins, respectively. DAS-444Ø6-6 soybeans were evaluated for safety in subchronic rat feeding studies. The results from two previous subchronic rat feeding studies evaluating diets formulated with 20% inclusion of DAS-444Ø6-6 soybean meal (the latter also containing DAS-444Ø6-6 derived hulls and oil) did not show any treatment-related adverse effects.

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Currently, risk assessment of the allergenic potential of novel proteins relies heavily on evaluating protein digestibility under normal conditions based on the theory that allergens are more resistant to gastrointestinal digestion than non-allergens. There is also proposed guidance for expanded in vitro digestibility assay conditions to include vulnerable sub-populations. One of the underlying rationales for the expanded guidance is that current in vitro assays do not accurately replicate the range of physiological conditions.

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The impact of crossing ('stacking') genetically modified (GM) events on maize-grain biochemical composition was compared with the impact of generating nonGM hybrids. The compositional similarity of seven GM stacks containing event DAS-Ø15Ø7-1, and their matched nonGM near-isogenic hybrids (iso-hybrids) was compared with the compositional similarity of concurrently grown nonGM hybrids and these same iso-hybrids. Scatter plots were used to visualize comparisons among hybrids and a coefficient of identity (per cent of variation explained by line of identity) was calculated to quantify the relationships within analyte profiles.

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Broiler chickens are fast growing monogastric animals considered a sensitive test species to evaluate the safety and nutritional equivalence between transgenic and non-transgenic grains as part of the human safety evaluation process. DAS-44406-6 soybean expresses three herbicide-tolerant proteins: the aryloxyalkanoate dioxygenase-12 (AAD-12) enzyme which provides tolerance to 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) herbicides, the double-mutant 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (2mEPSPS) enzyme encoded by a modified version of the epsps gene from maize (Zea mays), which provides tolerance to glyphosate herbicides, and the phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT) enzyme from Streptomyces viridochromogenes, which provides tolerance to glufosinate herbicides. A 42-day broiler study was conducted with diets containing toasted DAS-44406-6 soybean meal to evaluate nutritional wholesomeness and safety compared with non-transgenic, near-isoline soybean and conventional comparators.

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A study was conducted to determine the changes that occur to proteolysis and related genes due to age, protein, and energy intake in high-yield broiler breeder hens (Gallus gallus). Cobb 700 broiler breeders were randomly assigned to one of six diets in a 2×3 factorial fashion. Two levels of energy (390 and 450 kcal/day) and three levels of protein (22, 24, and 26 g CP/day) were utilized.

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