The Economy of Cereal Grains

The Economy of Cereal Grains
Of all the plants on which humans have depended for food, those that produce the cereal grains are by far the most important, as they have been since earliest recorded time. Cereal grains are the seeds of cultivated grasses that include wheat, corn, oats, barley, rye, rice, sorghum, and millet. There are a number of reasons why cereals have been so important in our diet. They can be grown in a variety of areas, some even in adverse soil and climatic conditions. They give high yields per acre as compared to most other crops, and once harvested, their excellent stored stability combined with their nutritional value makes them the most desirable of foods for holding in reserve. They are easy to package and transport and they can be used to produce a large variety of highly desirable foods both for humans and animals, as well as beverages for human consumption.

Cereal grains are the most important source of the world’s total food. Rice alone is reported to supply the major part of the diet for more than one half of the word’s population. Cereal grains are the staple food of the peoples of developing countries, providing them, with about 75% of their total caloric intake and about 67% of their total protein intake. The grains are eaten in many ways, sometimes as a paste or other preparation of the seed, more often milled and further processed into flour, starch, oil, bran, syrup, sugar, dried breakfast forms, and so forth. They are also used to feed the animals that provide us with meat, eggs, milk, butter, cheese, and a host of other foods.
The Economy of Cereal Grains

Global warming phenomena

Global warming phenomena
Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of the Earth's near-surface air and oceans and its projected continuation.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) concludes "most of the observed increase in globally averaged temperatures since the mid-twentieth century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic (man-made) greenhouse gas concentrations” via an enhanced greenhouse effect.

What causes global warming?
Carbon dioxide and other air pollution that is collecting in the atmosphere, trapping the sun’s heat and causing the planet to warm up. Coal burning power plants are the largest source of carbon dioxide pollution. Automobile, the second largest create 1.5 billion tons of CO2 in U.S alone annually.

Global warming also makes hurricane stronger and dangerous. This because ocean getting warmer, tropical storms can pick up more energy and become more powerful. Scientists have found that that the destructive potential of hurricanes has greatly increased along with oceans temperature over the past 35 years.

United Nation Study
The study by United Nations in 2007, shows the evidence if a warming trend is “unequivocal,” and that human activity has “very likely” been the driving force in that change over the last 50 years. The last report in 2001 had found that humanity had “likely” played role. It was said that the world was in for centuries of climbing temperatures, rising seas and shifting weather patterns – unavoidable results of the buildup of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere.

What G8 said?
Group of 8 the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, Canada and Russia – pledged last Tuesday to move toward a low carbon society by cutting greenhouse gas emission in half by 2050.

Cutting emissions in half is one step in curtailing warming, climate experts have long said, because the main greenhouse gas generated by human activities, carbon dioxide, can persist for a century or more in the atmosphere, once it is released. As long as more is being emitted than the oceans or plants can absorb, its concentration will rise. And fuel emissions are projected to rise relentlessly, driven by quickly expanding economies in Asia.
Global warming phenomena

Ascorbic Acid

Ascorbic Acid
Ascorbic acid or vitamin C is required for the formation of the intercellular substances in the body, including dentine, cartilage, and the protein network of bone. Hence it is important in tooth formation, the healing of broken bones, and the healing of wounds. It may be important to oxidation-reduction reactions in the body and to the production of certain hormones. Deficiency of vitamin C causes scurvy (spongy gums, loose teeth, swollen joints, hemorrhages in various tissue, etc) and impaired healing of wounds. Orange juice is an excellent source of vitamin C. Tomato juice, if it has been processed properly, is a fair source of this vitamin. Green peppers, cabbage, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts are excellent to good sources of vitamin C, while other vegetables such as peas, spinach, and lettuce are good to fair sources. Many fruits contain fair amounts of ascorbic acid or vitamin C.

In 2007, scientists study shows that vitamin C is essential for plant growth. This discovery would have implications for agriculture and for the production of vitamin C dietary supplements. The discovery also identifies the new enzyme as a key player in controlling vitamin C accumulation in response to light. The finding could pave the way for a new approach to producing vitamin C dietary supplementary. Vitamin C is currently produced by mixed fermentation and chemical synthesis. The new enzyme provides the potential to engineer microbes to produce vitamin C by a simpler one-step process.

In another study, a group of Johns Hopkins scientists have shown that vitamin C can indeed inhibit the growth of some tumors. They found that the antioxidants’ actual role may be to destabilize a tumors’ ability to grow under oxygen-starved conditions. Since potential anticancer benefits of antioxidants have been the driving force for many clinical and preclinical studies, by uncovering the mechanisms behind antioxidants, scientists now better suited to maximize their therapeutic use.
Ascorbic Acid

Hyaluronic acid: Properties and Usage in Medical Field

Hyaluronic acid is a typical mucopolysaccharide. It is component of the ground substance of intercellular material; the human umbilical cord and cattle synovial and vitreous fluids are the most common sources of Hyaluronic acid, but it is widely distributed and it is found in the most connective tissues. Its name is derived from hyaloids (vitreous) and uronic acid. Hyaluronic acid is composed of equimolar proportions of D-glucuronic acid and acetyl glucosamine occupying alternating positions in the molecule. The molecular weight varies depending on the source with reported values ranging from a few hundred thousand to well over million. Large polymers of Hyaluronic acid form mesh that enables it to bind a large amount of water. In loose connective tissue such as binding of tissue fluid forms a jellylike matrix filling the space between capillaries and cells. The large amount of fluid that is held by the polymers permits diffusion of solutes between capillaries and cells. In the synovial cavity, the viscosity of the synovial fluid assists in lubrication of joints.

In the last 30 years synthetic forms of Hyaluronic acid have been developed and used to correct disorders in the fields of rheumatology, ophthalmology would repair. More recently, synthetic forms of Hyaluronic acid are being manufactured for used in facial augmentation.

Now researches are being done to put Hyaluronic acid to use in medicine. They are working on applications in which the body’s natural lubricant would be used to ease pain and facilitate the movement of arthritic knees, to prevent complications form surgery, to moisten dry eyes and even smooth out wrinkles.

Hyaluronic acid also is gaining popularity in the cosmetic and medical industries. Cosmetic product containing Hyaluronic acid claim to hydrate skin, allowing it to appear smoother and more radiant. Clinical studies have shown that it also helps wounds heal more quickly, and can reduce the appearance of both old and new scars. Injectible Hyaluronic acid fillers are being to lessen the appearance of lines, sagging and depressions in the skin caused by acne or injury.

Hyaluronic acid makes up 80% of the human eye – it is present in the vitreous humor of the eye and assists in vision, Hyaluronic acid is a shock absorber to the retina thus helping to prevent trauma to the eye.