Evaluation of the Extract-Release Volume Phenomenon as a Rapid Test for Detecting Spoilage in Beef

Ground beef of several grades, obtained fresh and held refrigerated until spoiled, was presented to a test panel for scoring on color, odor, and tactile response (tackiness) as to degree of acceptance. Panel scores were correlated with total bacterial counts, ninhydrin-reactive substances, and ERV (extract-release volume) on the same meat. ERV correlated highest with bacterial counts the largest number of times; tackiness, odor, ninhydrin, and color followed in that order. Correlation between bacterial numbers and organoleptic qualities was best, with tackiness followed closely by odor, and then by color. Correlation between tackiness and odor was high. The degree of correlation between bacterial numbers, tackiness, and ERV was high enough to warrant the use of the ERV phenomenon as a rapid test of microbial quality of beef. An ERV value of 25 under the conditions of the test was supported as a divider between acceptable and unacceptable ground beef.     

Intra-chromosomal position interference inNeurospora crassa

Multiple-point crosses where 20 pairs of regions (ten loosely linked markers) for the study of contiguous exchanges involving two linkage groups, capable of being investigated at a time, were utilized. In order to find out the effect of a chelating agent on interference, crosses were treated with different molar concentrations of ethylene-diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). All marker strains were standardized before use by inbreeding with a wild-type of known parentage.Since tests based on Coefficient of Coincidence and on Poisson distribution for finding out the position interference are rather unsatisfactory, a method based onContingency Chi-square test for detecting the intensity and nature of interference is described.Data obtained from 1813 analyzable ordered tetrads show that positive interference is absent in the control crosses. It is present among certain regions in crosses when treated with 4×10^–5M and 10×10^–5M EDTA but it vanishes again in crosses when treated with 20×10^–5M EDTA. Negative interference is present in the control crosses but it varies among pairs of regions on the two linkage groups. The localization and intensity of interference are alterable with EDTA treatment. The data are discussed in the light of certain concepts invoking to explain the mechanism that involves a genetic exchange.     

Chromosome Contraction by o-Isopropyl-N-Phenylcarbamate (IPC)

A selective herbicide IPC (o-isopropyl-N-phenlycarbamate) causes contraction of chromosomes in the prophase, metaphase, and anaphase stages of mitosis in cells of treated root tips. Effective concentrations in aqueous solution lie between 2.5 and 50 ppm, and effective times between 1 and 4 hr, depending upon the species of plant. A suggested starting combination is 10 ppm for 2 hr. This compound is effective in causing contraction of chromosomes in a wide range of plant species, as well as enhancing separation in acetocarmine and aceto-orcein squashes in many cases. Possibly, it may produce similar results in species which have been found to be unaffected by colchicine, 8-hydroxyquinoline, p-dichlorobenzene, and other commonly used chemicals.