MAX FACTS
growing tips, news and trivia
Why Raspberries?
Raspberry ketone, a compound that naturally occurs in raspberries, can increase metabolism in
human fat cells by increasing enzyme activity, oxygen consumption and heat production in certain
types of fat cells. Researchers are equally familiar with raspberry ketone under the name of
rheosmin, and since 1965, it’s been included on the FDA’s Generally Recognized As Safe list as
an approved food additive. The primary use of rheosmin as a food additive has been for flavor and
aroma. Unlike its name suggests, raspberry ketone is contained in a wide variety of plants, although
not usually in such sizable amounts as are found in raspberries. Turkish rhubarb is one such plant.
Larch, yew, maple and pine are trees that contain amounts of raspberry ketone.
(Source: whfoods.com)
Highway
Hydromulch Research
Highway crews busily spraying a green
coating on newly graded slopes may be
working with a hydraulically applied mulch, or
hydromulch. This temporary, porous layer can
help protect newly sown seeds. According to
USDA plant physiologist Steven F. Vaughn,
hydromulches typically contain water; a dye,
so that crews can easily see where they’ve
been; a mulch, such as wood fibers; and a
binder, which is a compound that helps keep
the mulch intact. In a series of laboratory
tests, Steven and his colleagues have shown
that half a dozen plant-derived compounds
outperformed guar gum, a commonly used
binder made by grinding bean