Life Sciences Commons^™

Anti-Listeria Of H2o2-Peroxyacetic Acid Anti-Listeria Efficacy Of A Hydrogen Peroxide-Peroxyacetic Acid Mixer In Bacterial Buffered Solution And On Bell Peppers, Peighton Denae Foster

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This study aims to 1) evaluate the efficacy of H₂O₂-peroxyacetic acid (PAA) mixer to inactivate Listeria monocytogenes in 0.1% buffered-peptone-water; 2) evaluate the reduction and mitigation of cross-contamination on peppers. For the study-1, aliquots of 1.0-ml mixer solutions (0.25, 0.50 and 0.84%) were added to the first 3-well of 8-strip-deep-well microplates. Then, the 0.1 ml of 10-fold dilution the Nalidixic-acid-resistant (NaL) L. monocytogenes was added and mixed immediately with a multichannel pipette. After exposure for 0, 5, 15, 30, and up to 120-s, 1 ml of 2×D/E neutralized solution was added to terminate the reaction followed …

Impacts Of Temperature And Salt Concentrations For Thermal Inactivation Of Salmonella In Moisture Enhanced Reconstructed Chicken Patties, Alik D. Browning

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The purpose of this experiment is to determine the thermal kinetic parameters of Salmonella in moisture-enhanced, reconstructed ground chicken patties as affected by temperatures and salt concentrations. Salmonella is responsible for 35% of the foodborne illnesses associated with poultry products (Batz et al., 2011). Nonintact reconstructed chicken meat is mixed with brine solutions containing various salt and polyphosphate concentrations to increase water-holding capacity, decrease cooking losses, improve sensory tasting scores, and maintain the good quality of completed chicken products (Gill et al., 2004). Increasing salt concentrations within meats can increase the thermal inactivation of pathogens. In this study, Salmonella Typhimurium …

Evaluate A Mixer Of Hydrogen Peroxide And Peroxyacetic Acid To Mitigate Microbial Cross-Contamination Of Salmonella Typhimurium And The Surrogate Enterococcus Faecium During Triple-Washing Of Butternut Squash, Jesica M. Temple

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Background: Recent foodborne illness outbreaks have been linked to fresh fruits and vegetables. For public safety, awareness of the risks of contamination from foodborne pathogens that can occur during post-harvest farming practices is essential to prevent foodborne outbreaks. Controlling the spread of foodborne pathogens on produce requires proper washing procedures, antimicrobials and doses. Given the speed and diversity of the produce being distributed, local incidents may become international emergencies. Methods: Studies were included if they assessed the efficacy of antimicrobials and various washing procedures and had to conclude the mitigation of cross-contamination of foodborne pathogens on produce grown in the …

Krill Protein Fortified Extrudates: A Pilot Study, Avery S. Fleeharty

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Antarctic krill (Euphausiacea superba) is an abundant and sustainable but underutilized natural resource with well-studied protein isolation methodology using Isoelectric solubilization-precipitation (ISP). The resulting krill protein isolate (KPI) has high yield and sufficient impurity removal in addition to desirable nutritional and functional properties but has yet to be used in food systems. Extrusion is a versatile and scalable food processing method with many benefits; thus, the aim of this study was to determine the impact of KPI as an additive in extrusion processing with the eventual goal of introducing it to human and animal food systems. KPI was …

Addition Of Apple Pomace To Feeding Substrate On Growth, Development, And Survival Rates Of Yellow Mealworms (Tenebrio Molitor) And Characterization Of Their Proteins Extracted By A Ph-Shift Process, Michelle Duvall

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The weight changes, survival/mortality rates, and proximate compositions of Tenebrio molitor (yellow mealworm) larvae whose diets were supplemented with apple pomace were analyzed after a 4-week feeding study to examine the nutritional quality of the insects for use as a future potential food source. Going forward, the terms “mealworm(s)”, "yellow mealworm(s)”, “T. molitor” will be used interchangeably and will always refer to the same species. The mealworm larvae were randomly divided into two groups: in addition to standard worm chow, one group was given 15 g/week of non-nutritive water-storing polymer crystals and the other was given apple pomace …

Analysis Of Experimental Antimicrobial Prevention Strategies Against Microbial Contamination Of Locally Harvested Poultry And Produce In West Virginia, Rebecca Breanne Stearns

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Fresh produce and poultry have been associated with several foodborne illness outbreaks. Strategies to mitigate these risks are a much-needed research priority; therefore, five experiments were conducted to analyze pathogen cross-contamination capabilities on produce and poultry. Microbial contamination prevention and reduction strategies were also studied.

In Chapter Two, three antimicrobial delivery methods in combination with increasing concentrations of hydrogen peroxide-peroxyacetic acid (H₂O₂-PAA) (0.05-0.25 ml/dL) were compared to evaluate their ability to reduce and prevent cross-contamination of Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) and Listeria innocua (L. innocua) on inoculated apples. Apples have been …

Investigation Of A Novel Throughput Agent On Production Rate And Pellet Quality And The Development Of A Lab-Based Method To Predict Salmonella Reduction In Poultry Feed, Utilizing Varying Feed Manufacture Parameters, Timothy Paul Boltz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate a novel throughput agent and its mechanisms on production rate and pellet quality. An additional experiment using lab-based methods and models was conducted to predict Salmonella reduction in mash broiler feed. Feed mill pellet production rate is of great importance to integrated meat bird production. Feed hygienics are also of increasing concern for poultry producers.

In chapter 2, the effect of AZOMITE® (AZM) and varying inorganic phosphate sources (IPS) on pellet mill production rate and pellet quality was assessed. It is documented that the naturally abrasive properties of inorganic phosphate sources may scour the …

Evaluate The Efficacy Of A Mixture Of Peroxyacetic Acid And H2o2 Against The Survival And Cross-Contamination Of The Salmonella Surrogate Enterococcus Faecium On Tomatoes During Triple-Wash, Corey Waitman Coe

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Triple-wash with a mixture of peroxyacetic acid and H2O2 (SaniDate-5.0) during post-harvest processing of fresh produce has been recommended by West Virginia Small Farm Center to improve microbial safety. It has been well recognized that the washing of produce is more important for preventing cross-contamination than reducing foodborne pathogens. Furthermore, it may help improve public confidence in that the produce they obtain from locally grown farmers is safe for their consumption. determine the efficacy of SaniDate-5.0 for reducing the survival and preventing cross-contamination of the Salmonella surrogate Enterococcus faecium on tomatoes during triple-wash.

E. faecium ATCC-8459 (resistant to 100-ppm nalidixic-acid) …

Getting To The Root Cause: The Genetic Underpinnings Of Root System Architecture And Rhizodeposition In Sorghum, Farren Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Plants are some of the most diverse organisms on earth, consisting of more than 350,000 different species. To understand the underlying processes that contributed to plant diversification, it is fundamental to identify the genetic and genomic components that facilitated various adaptations over evolutionary history. Most studies to date have focused on the underlying controls of above-ground traits such as grain and vegetation; however, little is known about the “hidden half” of plants. Root systems comprise half of the total plant structure and provide vital functions such as anchorage, resource acquisition, and storage of energy reserves. The execution of these key …

Comparison Of Antimicrobials And Delivery Methods On The Inactivation Of Listeria Monocytogenes On Apples, Rebecca B. Stearns

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Introduction: Due to multi-state outbreaks of listeriosis on apples in 2015, 2017, and 2019, Listeria Monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) has been deemed an emerging, under researched pathogen by the USDA-NIFA. Therefore, this study evaluated the efficacy of SaniDate 5.0®’s (SD) ability to inactivate L. Monocytogenes on apples when delivered through electrostatic sprayer (ES), garden sprayer (GS), and dip methods.

Methods: Organic apples were dip-inoculated with L. monocytogenes for 5 min and then dried for 10 min. Once dried, the inoculated apples were untreated (control), sprayed with water only, or treated with SD, 0.0064, 0.1, 0.25 and 0.50% for 20 …

Valorization Of Xylan In Agroforestry Waste Streams, Harrison Appiah

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Valorization of Xylan in Agroforestry Waste Streams.

Harrison Appiah

Microwave-assisted deep eutectic solvent and gamma-valerolactone metallic chloride catalyzed conversion of xylan to furfural were investigated using a 2x3 factorial experimental design at two levels of percent microwave power, reaction time, and catalyst concentration. The levels of each factor studied were (20%, 60% microwave power, 2, 4 minutes, and 10, 20mg) respectively. The effect of three metallic chloride catalysts (LiCl, FeCl3.6H20, CuCl2) on the conversion of xylan to furfural was also investigated. The gamma-valerolactone-ferric chloride sent system exhibited the highest mean yield of furfural (56.50%). The next highest furfural yield of …

Improving Microbial Safety Of Locally Grown Produce In West Virginia Area, Kawang Li

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

There is a growing concern regarding the microbial safety of farmers’ markets as fresh produce consumption in the United States is gaining popularity. The CDC reported 46% of foodborne illnesses are related to fresh produce. Consuming fresh produce raw removes a processing step, increasing the risk of cross-contamination, leading to illness. However, this risk can be mitigated by washing produce with antimicrobial solutions during post-harvest processes. To reduce the microbial load on fresh produce, the triple-wash process, where the produce is rinsed with water twice and lastly an antimicrobial solution (WWA). WWA is recommended by the WVU Extension Service Small …

Effects Of Different Liquid Smoke Treatments On Osmotic Dehydration Of Apple Cubes, Rohit Singh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Refined Liquid Smoke (RLS) (1%) was incorporated during osmotic dehydration of apple cubes (10 mm each side) to observe its effect on solid gain, water loss, yield, water activity, product quality, and consumer preference. Three different treatments, POD (pure osmotic dehydration, no RLS), LSISS (RLS inside sugar solution) and PTLS (pre-treatment with RLS), were compared in this study. Osmotic dehydration was carried out using 42 °Brix sugar solution, and the fruit to solution ratio was kept at 1:4. The osmotically dehydrated apples were evaluated for soluble solid content (SSC), water loss, and solid gained. After osmotic dehydration, apple cubes were …

Online Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Charge Transfer Dissociation-Mass Spectrometry (Uhplc-Ctd-Ms) Of Complex Mixtures Of Oligosaccharides, Praneeth M. Mendis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Abstract

Online Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Charge Transfer Dissociation-Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-CTD-MS) of Complex Mixtures of Oligosaccharides

Praneeth M. Mendis

Complex carbohydrates make up more than half the biomass on earth, and they are crucial to a wide range of processes in living organisms. When polysaccharides and glycans are enzymatically digested into manageable units called oligosaccharides, they typically consist of 2-20 linear or branched sugar units. The detailed structural analysis of oligosaccharides assists in the identification of structural and chemical properties of the polymers from which they derive. Tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) is a key technique used in oligosaccharides structural characterization. Within …

Improving Microbial Safety Of Food Products By Thermal And Non-Thermal Technology And Evaluate The Knowledge Of Antibiotic Resistant Issue Among Local Produce Growers, Wentao Jiang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Microbial contamination of food products is one of the main transmission routes of disease in the world today, which is responsible for about two-thirds of all food-borne disease outbreaks although the hygiene process was improved recently. Improving microbial safety and implementing a good food management system are important elements to reduce microbial contamination and improve food safety and security. To improve microbial safety, I conducted inactivation studies on food pathogens and further explored antibiotic resistant risks. Initial research evaluated the efficacy of commercial antimicrobials distribution by comparing electrostatic sprayer with conventional sanitization process. The antibiotics applied by electrostatic spraying achieved …

Assessment Of Protein Quality, Lipid Metabolism, Hepatic Transcriptome And Safety Of A Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix) Derived Sarcoplasmic Protein Powder., Derek Cole Warren

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Fishery resources are currently operating either near optimal yield or at levels with elevated risk for fish stock depletion. A solution for overcoming limitations of natural fish resources is through utilization of less desirable fish species and fish processing by-products. Water-soluble sarcoplasm proteins consist of 25 – 30% of protein in carp, are lost in wash water during processing and can be recovered and freeze-dried to produce a protein-rich powder (CSP). The objective of this project was to evaluate the protein quality and safety of CSP, assess diets consisting of CSP or commercial milk proteins effects on lipid metabolism, and …

The Exploration Of Nanotoxicological Copper And Interspecific Saccharomyces Hybrids, Matthew Joseph Winans Phd

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Nanotechnology takes advantage of cellular biology’s natural nanoscale operations by interacting with biomolecules differently than soluble or bulk materials, often altering normal cellular processes such as metabolism or growth. To gain a better understanding of how copper nanoparticles hybridized on cellulose fibers called carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) affected growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the mechanisms of toxicity were explored. Multiple methodologies covering genetics, proteomics, metallomics, and metabolomics were used during this investigation. The work that lead to this dissertation discovered that these cellulosic copper nanoparticles had a unique toxicity compared to copper. Further investigation suggested a possible ionic or molecular mimicry …

Evaluation Of Salmonella Enteritidis And Escherichia Coli O157:H7 Volatile Organic Compound Analysis For Food Safety Monitoring: A Preliminary Study, Jessica E. Lemley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Food borne illness has the potential to impact every point of production from producers to consumers. Food product recalls are common due to the presence of food borne illness causing bacteria. Detection of volatile organic compounds (VOC) have the potential to reduce the number of illnesses and recalls through application of additional monitoring of food products like those most commonly recalled. The objective of this research was to 1) explore the use of closed-loop headspace analysis coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) on food borne illness causing bacteria and 2) examine the VOC profile of Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 in …

Utilizing The Parts Of Common Food Products As Functional Ingredients Part 1: Separation And Concentration Of Ω-3 Pufa-Rich Phospholipids By Hydration Of Krill Oil Part 2: Functional Properties Of A Concentrated Egg Yolk Protein Powder Using A One-Step Organic Solvent Extraction Process, Casey Lynn Showman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

The food industry separates food products into different parts to better utilize the functional and nutritional benefits of each fraction. The overall focus of this thesis is on separating and utilizing fractions and co-products from food manufacturing as functional ingredients. Therefore, the objective of this research was to 1) evaluate the effectiveness of water degumming to separate omega-3 PUFA-rich phospholipids from other lipids found in krill oil and 2) determine how different organic solvents would affect physiochemical and functional properties of egg yolk protein recovered from spray-dried egg yolk using a novel one-step organic solvent extraction method.

The aim of …

The Effect Of Sodium Selenate Biofortification On Plant Yield, Mineral Content, And Antioxidant Capacity Of Culinary Herb Microgreens, Rachel G. Newman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Selenium (Se) biofortification of plants has been suggested as a method for enhancing dietary Se intake. Popular herbs such as basil (Ocimum basilicum), cilantro (Coriandrum sativum), and scallions (Allium fistulosum) are used for enhancing flavors. Microgreens are young seedlings harvested with one to two true leaves and are increasingly popular in the consumer marketplace. In this study, basil, cilantro, and scallion microgreens were treated with various concentrations of Se as sodium selenate in hydroponic conditions to investigate the effect on plant yield, mineral content (selenium, sulfur, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, manganese, zinc, and boron), total phenolic compounds, …

Compound-Specific Isotope Analysis Of Amino Acids In Biological Tissues: Applications In Forensic Entomology, Food Authentication And Soft-Biometrics In Humans, Mayara Patricia Viana De Matos

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

In this work we demonstrate the power of compound-specific isotope analysis (CSIA) to analyze proteinaceous biological materials in three distinct forensic applications, including: 1) linking necrophagous blow flies in different life stages to their primary carrion diet; 2) identifying the harvesting area of oysters for food authentication purposes; and 3) the ability to predict biometric traits about humans from their hair.

In the first application, we measured the amino-acid-level fractionation that occurs at each major life stage of Calliphora vicina (Robineau-Desvoidy) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) blow flies. Adult blow flies oviposited on raw pork muscle, beef muscle, or chicken liver. Larvae, pupae …

Characterization Of Lipids And The Protein Co-Products From Various Food Sources Using A One-Step Organic Solvent Extraction Process, Alleda Rose

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Traditional lipid extraction methods are labor intensive and time-consuming so interest in one-step methods using various organic solvents are gaining in popularity. Extraction efficiency depends heavily on the solvents used yet comparisons between different solvents are lacking. Defatting techniques are commonly used to concentrate crude protein and may be useful for enhancing protein content in food sources. The objective of this research was to 1) determine the lipid extraction efficiencies of hexane (H), 3:2 hexane-isopropanol (HI), chloroform (C), 2:1 chloroform-methanol (CM), and methyl-tert-butyl-ether (MTBE) using a one-step organic solvent lipid extraction method on whole insect, egg yolk, and krill powders …

Characterization Of Major Flavonols In Ramps (Allium Tricoccum), Wijdan M. Dabeek

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Ramps (Allium tricoccum) is a traditional plant in the eastern Appalachian Mountains. Ramps have been used in Appalachian folk medicine for its health promoting roles in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. Information on the chemical composition of bioactive components responsible for the potential health benefits are scarce. Analysis of the chemical composition in similar Alliumplants showed that flavonols, induced similar health benefits. Therefore, the aim of this work is to characterize major flavonol conjugates in ramps. The secondary aim is to develop a preliminary quantification protocol. Flavonol glycosides were extracted in 50% methanol and 3% acetic acid. …

Evaluating The Potential Of Methyl Jasmonate Application As An Agricultural Practice On Phytochemicals In Brassica Vegetables: Sensory Quality, Cooking, And Cost-Benefit Analysis, Yu-Chun Chiu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

In the United States, Brassica vegetables, including broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) and kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala or Brassicae napus var. pabularia), are widely consumed and are easily accessible in farmer’s market or grocery stores with increasing interest of their health-promoting properties. For example, the consumption of broccoli has been associated with anti-cancer activity in in vitro and in vivo trails due to the high content of phytochemicals, minerals, vitamins, and fibers. Application of methyl jasmonate (MeJA) has been reported to enhance the potential health-promoting compounds in Brassica vegetables, glucosinolates (GS), especially indolyl GS neoglucobrassicin …

Protein And Lipid Characterization Of Acheta Domesticus, Bombyx Mori, And Locusta Migratoria Dry Flours, Emily N. Brogan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

Cricket (Acheta domesticus), silkworm pupae (Bombyx mori), and locust (Locusta migratoria) dry flours were obtained to examine the biochemical properties and composition of the flours. This study aimed to characterize the protein and lipid components of three insect species utilizing proximate composition analyses, amino acid composition analysis, protein solubility, SDS-PAGE, fatty acid composition analysis, and thin layer chromatography to determine lipid classes, and lipid extraction efficiency. Kjeldahl determined the cricket, locust, and silkworm flours contained 72.0%, 53.1%, and 71.2% protein, respectively. All proximate composition analyses were significantly (p<0.05) different between species. Amino acid composition analysis revealed that the flours contained 3.6-3.9% and 0.90-1.5% of lysine and methionine, respectively. Many countries have cereal grains and legumes as a staple in their diet that contain these limiting amino acids. Essential amino acids were 22% of total amino acids. Protein solubility revealed that the three species studied were most soluble in alkaline environments with highest protein solubility occurring at pH 13 at 66% solubility in silkworm. Lowest solubility occurred in more acidic conditions between pH 4-5. SDS-PAGE revealed five major protein fractions with estimated molecular weights of 27 (cuticle proteins), 41 (arginine kinase), which has been identified as an allergen in shrimp, 42 (actin), 71 (hemocyanin), and 220 myosin) kDa. Soxhlet extraction determined cricket, silkworm, and locust flours contained 15.4%, 33.3%, and 11.4% lipid, respectively. The only omega-3 fatty acid found in the flours was α-linolenic acid. Silkworm flour contained the most α-linolenic acid at 33.3% of total fatty acids, followed by locust (13.7%), and cricket (0.6%). TLC resolved lipids for typical lipid classes. The four major lipid classes noted were triacylglycerol, free fatty acid, cholesterol, and phospholipid. Lipid extraction efficiency found that the organic solvents chloroform and methanol had the highest lipid extraction yield in both cricket (69.3%) and locust (93.0%). Methyl-tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) extracted lipids most efficiently in the silkworm. Proteins and lipids found in insects need to be isolated to further or commercial use.