Campus Units
Agronomy
Document Type
Article
Publication Version
Published Version
Publication Date
6-2008
Journal or Book Title
ISB News Report
First Page
6
Last Page
7
Abstract
Corn grain is an important component of feed for non-ruminant animals and food for humans. It is an excellent source of starch, but is a poor source of protein nutrition. Protein content is low, usually less than 10% of the kernel mass, and moreover, the quality of maize protein is not ideal. Maize protein is deficient in certain amino acids—lysine, tryptophan, and methionine—that are required by non-ruminant animals (including humans). To remedy these deficiencies, protein supplements are provided to create a well-balanced diet, which adds to the cost of feed and food. Genetic improvements that increase the levels of lysine, tryptophan, and methionine have been actively sought by researchers for the past fifty years. Recently, several approaches involving one or more transgenes have been successful.
Rights
Works produced by employees of the U.S. Government as part of their official duties are not copyrighted within the U.S. The content of this document is not copyrighted.
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Scott, Paul, "Can a Foreign Protein Improve the Amino Acid Balance of Corn?" (2008). Agronomy Publications. 185.
https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/agron_pubs/185
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Molecular, Genetic, and Biochemical Nutrition Commons, Plant Breeding and Genetics Commons
Comments
This article is published as M.P. Scott (2008) Can a foreign protein improve the amino acid balance of corn? Information Systems for Biotechnology News Report, June, pp. 6-7.