Patent License

...To Yulex Corporation, Philadelphia, PA, to use an ARS- developed procedure to make hypoallergenic latex products from rubber of a shrub called guayule (pronounced "why-YOU-lee"). Guayule is native to the southwest and has been grown experimentally in California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Preliminary medical tests, conducted in collaboration with ARS, suggest that guayule-latex products should provide a safe alternative for individuals who are allergic to latex made from the most common source of natural rubber, the Brazilian rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis. It has been estimated that at least 20 million Americans suffer from Hevea-latex allergies. If they use Hevea-latex gloves, condoms, or other Hevea products, they may suffer allergy symptoms ranging from rashes and hives to life- threatening anaphylactic shock. The idea of extracting natural rubber from guayule is not new, but the ARS team is the first to prove guayule's potential as a source of hypoallergenic latex. (PATENT 5,580,942)
ARS Contact: Katrina Cornish, Crop Improvement and Utilization Research Unit, Western Regional Research Center, Albany, CA, (510) 559-5950

Cooperative Research and Development Agreements

...With Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., Johnston, IA, to develop commercial varieties of low-phytic-acid corn that should increase animal nutrition and lower phosphorus pollution in the swine, poultry and aquaculture industries. Corn, soybeans and other important feed and food crop plants store most of their phosphorus in the natural compound phytic acid. But animals with one stomach, such as pigs, chickens and fish--as well as people--can't break down phytic acid to get at the phosphorus. An ARS scientist discovered mutations in corn and other grains that cause the plant to store the nutrient in a more usable form. Phosphorus is essential for proper growth and strong bones, but unused phosphorus is excreted. Animal waste is often used to fertilize crops. But water runoff can carry phosphorus-laden particles into streams and lakes, where excessive phosphorus can cause algae blooms that choke out other aquatic life. ARS has developed more than 20 low-phytic-acid mutations. Pioneer is breeding the best of these into its own hybrids that have agronomically desirable traits. Preliminary tests show the new corn provides more phosphorus to animals and decreases the amount they excrete. The research may have human nutritional applications because phytic acid is believed to hinder the absorption of important minerals such as iron and zinc. This could be especially useful in underdeveloped countries where people depend on a largely grain-based diet. In developed countries, phosphorus deficiency is rare in people because diets generally include meat and other phosphorus-rich foods. (PATENT APPLICATION 08/215065)
ARS Contact: Victor Raboy, National Small Grains Germplasm Research Facility, Aberdeen, ID, (208) 397-4162

...With Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc., Johnston, Iowa, to test corn plants that have altered forms of a gene important in corn pollen. ARS researchers isolated the gene, known as ZmPRK1. It is expressed specifically in pollen, where it cues production of a protein known as a receptor kinase. Kinases may be important in cell-to-cell interactions such as those between a pollen grain and cells in female tissues during pollination and fertilization. If so, biotechnologists and plant breeders may try to manipulate the kinases as a new means to control pollination and fertilization. This could lead to superior commercial varieties or production practices. ARS scientists will study ZmPRK1 using corn plants isolated from Pioneer's TUSC collection (Trait Utility System for Corn). The system identifies naturally disrupted versions of corn genes. The affected plants will provide critical insights into the role or roles of ZmPRK1 during the life cycle of corn.
ARS Contact: Sheila McCormick, USDA-ARS/University of California Plant Gene Expression Center, Albany, CA, (510) 559-5906, sheilamc@mendel.berkeley.edu

...With Gray*Star, Inc., Mt. Arlington, NJ, to evaluate a food irradiator for killing food borne pathogens like E. coli 0157:H7 on meat, poultry and other agricultural products. ARS scientists will help determine the uniformity—and factors affecting the uniformity—of doses of gamma irradiation delivered to agricultural commodities under controlled temperatures. They will test the effectiveness of the irradiator to control E. coli0157:H7 as well as other food borne pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes and salmonella. Gray*Star's irradiator is transportable and can be delivered to the packinghouse or production site where food is being processed for shipment. The irradiator can handle up to 10,000 pounds of pre-packaged foods per hour and can process an entire pallet of product at once. Ionizing radiation from cobalt, cesium or X-rays kills harmful organisms, but does not cause food to be radioactive. The irradiator can also be used to control quarantine pests.
ARS contact: Donald W. Thayer, Eastern Regional Research Center, Wyndmoor, PA, (215) 233-6582

...With Gustafson, Inc., McKinney, TX, to pinpoint strains of beneficial soil-dwelling microorganisms called rhizobacteria that might boost both growth and disease resistance of strawberries and stonefruits such as peaches. Scientists will test rhizobacterial strains that enhance plant growth to see if these helpful bacteria also induce resistance to soil-borne diseases such as black root rot or a condition known as replant disorder. By improving plants' growth and resistance to disease, growers might be able to reduce their use of fumigants, such as methyl bromide. Today fumigants are needed to sterilize the soil and kill disease-causing soil microorganisms. In laboratory and greenhouse tests, ARS scientists will evaluate rhizobacteria samples from Gustafson. The most promising strains might later be tested in small outdoor trials. The idea of using rhizobacteria to protect crops isn't new, but no strains have yet been commercialized to fend off microbial enemies of strawberries and stonefruits.
ARS Contact: Cynthia G. Eayre, Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory, Fresno, CA, (209) 453-3162, ceayre@asrr.arsusda.gov

Last Updated: April 25, 1997
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