John LaRose Jr. John LaRose Jr.
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Topics: Corn/Maize, Agriculture Global, Research, Sweet Corn, World Hunger,
John LaRose Jr. John LaRose Jr.
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Topics: Soybeans, Livestock/Meat, Agriculture Global, Education U.S. MidWest, Animal Health,

Compounds from soybeans may improve animal health

Antimicrobial compounds that soybean plants produce when threatened by insects, diseases and even drought may help animals stay healthy, thereby reducing the need for antibiotics. “When a soybean is attacked by a pathogen, the plant produces phytochemicals called glyceollins as a defense mechanism,” explained assistant professor Bishnu Karki of South Dakota State University’s Department of Biology and Microbiology. Her research group has identified pathogens and lab-scale processes to trigger production of glyceollins and begun assessing soybean varieties to see which produce higher levels of the antimicrobial compounds. “Animals, such as pigs and poultry, already consume diets high in soybeans and could benefit from the phytochemical’s antimicrobial properties,” Karki said, pointing out scientists are studying the impact of glyceollins on human health, specifically in relation to cancer, inflammation and cardiovascular diseases. Karki’s research is supported by U.S. Department of Agriculture Hatch Act funding through the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station. Two master’s students and several undergraduates have also worked on the project. In the past, antibiotics were integrated into animal feed and water to help animals stay healthy and reach market weight efficiently. However, the FDA’s Veterinary Feed Directive, which seeks to decrease the development of antibiotic-resistance microorganisms, recently limited the use of antibiotics to specific health problems. Therefore, livestock producers are in need of natural alternatives, such as glyceollin-enriched soybeans, that can provide benefits similar to those of antibiotics. Doctoral candidate Ahmad Alhomodi, left, and assistant professor Bishnu Karki of the Department of Biology and Microbiology examine soybeans inoculated with two different edible fungi. The pathogens stress the beans so they produce glyceollins, which have antimicrobial properties.Producing glyceollins Under normal conditions, glyceollins are not present...

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Matt Brechwald is the world's most prolific agricultural podcaster. Consistently podcasting since 2014 Matt has hosted well over 1,000 podcasts about agriculture and conducted hundreds of radio interviews as well. From his farm in Kuna, Idaho, Matt has developed the term "Off-Farm Income" into a multi-national brand.