Digital Commons Network^™

Effects Of Ozone Treatment At Different Concentrations On Storage Quality Of Fresh Peanuts, Yang Hui, Han Junhao, Xie Yongkang, Li Ping, Cao Shina

Food and Machinery

［Objective］ To study the preservation effect of ozone on fresh peanuts.［Methods］ "Four Red" fresh peanuts were used as experimental materials. Peanuts were treated with ozone at different concentrations (10,30,and 50 mg/L ) and stored at (4 ± 1) ℃ for 15 days. Edible quality, nutritional quality, and safety quality were measured every 3 days.［Results］ The effects of ozone treatment on the post-harvest storage quality of fresh peanuts varied with concentration. Compared with the control group, medium-to-low concentration ozone treatment (≤30 mg/L ) effectively reduced peanut mass loss, inhibited mold development and microbial growth, maintained stable kernel color and good texture, …

Effects Of Air-Impingement Jet Drying On Drying Characteristics , Color , Nutritional Quality And Antioxidant Capacity Of Prunus Armeniaca L. Cv. Diaogan, Cheng Hui, Gao Jianrui, Li Chunqi, Lu Chunxia

Food and Machinery

［Objective］ Air-impingement jet drying technology is applied to explore the influence of drying temperature and air velocity on the drying characteristics, color, nutritional quality and antioxidant capacity of Prunus armeniaca L.cv.Diaogan.［Methods］ P.armeniaca samples are blanched and then dried at different temperatures (40,45,50,55,60 ℃) and air velocity (6,8,10,12,14 m/s), respectively. The drying characteristics, color, soluble sugar contents, total acid contents, total phenol contents and antioxidant activity were measured.［Results］ The air-impingement jet drying of P.armeniaca primarily falls into a rate-falling drying process. The drying curve and drying rate curve are significantly (P<0.05) affected by drying temperature but not significantly (P>0.05) by air velocity. The contents of soluble sugar, ascorbic …

Effects Of Wrinkled Pea Meal Replacement Powder On Glucose And Lipid Metabolism Disorders And Gut Microbiota In Mice, Cui Yajun, Hong Lingyu, Zhou Sumei, He Yuhua, Yao Yang, Hou Dianzhi

Food and Machinery

［Objective］ To investigate the effects of wrinkled pea meal replacement powder on glucose and lipid metabolism disorders and gut microbiota.［Methods］ A 12-week intervention experiment was conducted using a high-fat diet-fed mouse model. Changes in key indicators,including mouse phenotypes,blood biochemical parameters, histopathology, and gut microbial composition, were systematically monitored.［Results］ Wrinkled pea meal replacement powder significantly reduced fasting blood glucose, area under the blood glucose curve, and serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in high-fat-fed mice (P<0.05). It effectively alleviated hepatic steatosis, reduced serum alanine aminotransferase levels (P<0.05), and significantly mitigated hepatocyte damage. Additionally, consumption of wrinkled pea meal replacement powder significantly regulated gut microecological imbalance induced by a high-fat diet, increased gut microbial richness, decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, and increased the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, including norank_f_ Muribaculaceae, norank_o_ Clostridia _UCG- 014, and Bifidobacterium.［Conclusion］ Wrinkled pea meal replacement powder has potential application value in improving glucose and lipid metabolism and regulating gut health.

Effects Of Gardenia Extract On Body Weight And Intestinal Mucosal Microbiota In Obese Mice, Liu Qin, Deng Na, Zhou Mengsi, Tan Zhoujin

Food and Machinery

［Objective］ To explore the effects of gardenia extract on intestinal mucosal microbiota and body weight in mice fed a high -fat diet, and to explore the microecological mechanism of gardenia extract in obese mice.［Methods］ The potential mechanism of gardenia extract in treating obesity is predicted by network pharmacology and molecular docking technology. Additionally, 24 SPF C 57BL/6 male mice are randomly assigned into a blank group (8 mice ) and a model group (16 mice ). The model group receives a high-fat diet for 12 weeks, while the blank group receives an ordinary diet. After modeling, 12 successfully modeled mice …

Anti-Inflammatory Effect Of Sipunculus Nudus Collagen Peptide And Its Mechanism In Skin Wound Repair Promotion In Mice, Huang Haoyang, Zhang Junyi, Shen Weiqiang, Cao Wenhong, Lin Haisheng

Food and Machinery

［Objective］ To explore the repairing effect of Sipunculus nudus collagen peptide (SNCP ) on skin wounds and clarify its potential efficacy in anti -inflammation, oxidative stress regulation,and wound repair promotion.［Methods］ Collagen is extracted from the body wall of S.nudus via the hot water extraction method, and SNCP is subsequently prepared through enzymolysis and ultrafiltration. Then,the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cell inflammation model and the whole cortex wound inflammation model in mice are employed to detect the effect of SNCP on cytotoxicity and cell morphology, as well as the inflammatory, antioxidant, and growth factors in mouse wound tissues.［Results］ At 50 to …

Flavonoid Extraction And Antioxidant Activity Of Daidai's Physiological Fallen Fruits, Zhang Xinyi, Li Qili, Li Zhijian, Ge Hanxiao, Shao Yuting, Xiao Yecheng, Li Tao, Su Donglin

Food and Machinery

［Objective］ To explore a green extraction process for flavonoids from Daidai's physiological fallen fruits and to analyze the composition, microstructure, and antioxidant activity of the extracts.［Methods］ Flavonoids were extracted from Daidai's physiological fallen fruits using an ethanol-water solution combined with ultrasonic-assisted extraction. The extraction conditions were optimized through single-factor experiments. The flavonoid composition of the extract was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC ), its microstructure was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM ), and in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH radical 苏东林（1979—），男，湖南省农业科学院研究员，博士。E-mail：sdl791228 @163.com scavenging, ABTS radical scavenging, and FRAP assays.［Results］ The optimal extraction conditions were: 75% ethanol, …

Effect Of Garlic Paste Addition On Volatile Flavor Substances In Crayfish Tails, Tu Jianqiu, Fu Wenjun, Yang Xiaocong, Jing Lixiang, Zhu Jing, Li Jianfang

Food and Machinery

［Objective］ To investigate the effect of garlic paste addition on volatile flavor substances and color attributes of crayfish tails, and provide a theoretical basis for flavor standardization in industrial production.［Methods］ This paper adopts gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS ) combined with colorimetric analysis to study the characteristics of volatile components and color parameters (L*,a*,b* values ) of crayfish tails under garlic paste additions of 0%,4.4%,8.8%,13.2%,17.6%,and 22.0%. Principal component analysis (PCA ) is applied to analyze flavor differences.［Results］ Colorimetric analysis reveals that garlic paste addition significantly decreases L* from 45.69 to 34.50 and b* from 39.24 to 29.94 (P<0.05), while a* values show a significant difference under the garlic paste addition of more than 13.2% (P<0.05). A total of 53 volatile substances are identified by GC-IMS, and their total content increases gradually with the rising garlic paste addition (highest value in the 22% group at 18 749 and lowest value in the control group at 10 758). Camphene, 2-ethylbutanoic acid, 2-methylbutyl acetate, allyl isothiocyanate, and heptanal are identified as intrinsic flavor markers of crayfish meat. Key contributors to flavor include camphene, 1-heptanol, 3-pentenenitrile, 2,3-pentanedione, diacetyl, and isopropanol. PCA shows that the 13.2%~17.6% group exhibits significantly different flavor characteristics from other groups (PC1 contribution rate of 76%).［Conclusion］ Under the garlic paste addition of 8.8%~13.2%, the optimal balance between flavor and color attributes is achieved, while excessive addition of more than 17.6% results in aldehyde overaccumulation and accelerated browning.

Effects Of Thermal Processing Methods On Flavor Quality Of Fish Meat And Differential Formation Mechanisms : A Review, Zou Wanghua, Hou Xiaoyi, Liu Miao, Deng Na, Ni Panxianzhi, Li Hui, Fu Haohua, Wang Jianhui

Food and Machinery

Thermal processing is the most commonly used technique for fish products. Different thermal processing techniques vary in the degree of lipid oxidation, protein degradation, and Maillard reaction, as well as the synergy among these reactions, thereby differentially affecting flavor. Focusing on four typical thermal processing methods, steaming, boiling, frying, and roasting, this paper reviews the flavor change patterns in various types of fish products under different thermal processing conditions. Moreover, from the perspective of the synergy among lipid oxidation and decomposition, protein degradation, and the Maillard reaction, this paper systematically elucidates the formation mechanisms underlying the flavor substance enrichment and …

Research Progress On The Extraction Of Functional Components From Chinese Baijiu Distiller's Grains And Their High-Value Applications, Wang Yanyong, Guo Shuanghai

Food and Machinery

Chinese Baijiu distiller's grains represent a major by-product of the Baijiu brewing industry. The solid-state or liquid-state multi-strain fermentation process endows them with complex chemical compositions and functional properties, conferring considerable potential for further development. This study describes the chemical composition of Chinese Baijiu distiller's grains, discusses the differences in functional components arising from the brewing processes of various Baijiu aroma types, and evaluates advanced extraction techniques targeting core components, including proteins, dietary fibers, and polyphenols. The biological activities of Chinese Baijiu distiller's grain extracts, such as antioxidant, antihypertensive, and immunoregulatory effects, as well as their underlying mechanisms of action, …

Zinc Biofortification Technologies , Edible Safety , And Physiological Function Regulation In Edible Mushrooms, Wu Bingbing, Shi Nengpai, Su Jianwei, Hou Xuemei, Lin Xiangyang

Food and Machinery

Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element for humans, and dietary zinc deficiency is an important global public health issue. Edible mushrooms have become highly promising carriers for zinc biofortification due to their natural mineral accumulation ability and the capacity to convert inorganic zinc into organically bound states with higher bioavailability. The enrichment and absorption of zinc, intracellular homeostasis regulation, and subcellular distribution patterns during the cultivation process of edible mushrooms were summarized, and the key factors influencing the efficiency of zinc biofortification, including fungal species, zinc sources (inorganic, organic, or nano forms ),application methods,and cultivation conditions, were evaluated. In …

Advances In Extraction And Detection Technologies For Veterinary Drug Residues In Food, Luo Qiaoqiao, Yuan Yufeng, Jia Yunzhu, Chen Qingya, Tan Fang, Zhao Xin

Food and Machinery

Veterinary drug residues constitute a global challenge that poses significant threats to food safety and public health. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in detection technologies for veterinary drug residues in food, with a particular focus on the performance characteristics and application status of sample extraction techniques (including liquid-liquid extraction, solid phase extraction, accelerated solvent extraction, QuEChERS, and magnetic solid phase microextraction ),as well as analytical methods (including chromatographic-mass spectrometric techniques, immunoassays, capillary electrophoresis, biosensors, and quantum dots -based approaches ). Comparative analysis reveals that accelerated solvent extraction (ASE ) and QuEChERS have emerged as mainstream pretreatment techniques owing to …

Allosteric And Uncompetitive Inhibition Of Yeast Alcohol Dehydrogenase Identified By Enzyme Kinetics, Dylan Jeremy Harrison, Jenny A. Cappuccio

IdeaFest: Interdisciplinary Journal of Creative Works and Research from Cal Poly Humboldt

Enzyme kinetics is a powerful technique used to quantify the rate at which an enzyme converts a substrate into a product and to identify potential inhibitors. In this study, kinetic analysis was employed to assess the activity of yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (YADH) in the presence and absence of sweeteners commonly found in alcoholic beverages. YADH catalyzes the oxidation of ethanol to acetaldehyde using NAD⁺ as a cofactor; the reduction to NADH can be monitored spectrophotometrically at 340 nm. Based on structural similarities to the ribose moiety of NAD⁺, it was hypothesized that sucrose and sucralose could directly interact with the …

The Gut Microbiome, The Gut-Brain Axis, And College Student Well-Being, Idi Mckay

University Honors Theses

This literature review examines how diet, stress, environmental exposure, and food accessibility may influence college students' mental health and academic performance through the gut microbiome and the Gut-Brain Axis (GBA). Current microbiome research often focuses on early childhood development, clinical disease populations, or older adults, while overlooking college-age students who experience significant social, environmental, and biological transitions. College students frequently face food insecurity, irregular eating patterns, chronic stress, inconsistent sleep schedules, and reduced access to nutrient-dense foods, all of which may influence microbial diversity and overall gut health.

This thesis explores how modern campus environments and lifestyle factors may contribute …

Proteomic Evidence Indicates Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction Enhances Recovery Of Membrane-Associated Proteins In Hericium Erinaceus, Tanvir Ahmed, Angéla Juhász, Utpal Bose, Netsanet Shiferaw Terefe, Michelle L. Colgrave

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Membrane-associated fungal proteins mediate essential functions and contain bioactive proteins with therapeutic potential but are underrepresented in aqueous extracts due to hydrophobicity and lipid associations. Ultrasound-assisted aqueous extraction was applied to Lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus), and the proteins were fractionated by molecular weight (≥30 kDa, 10–30 kDa, 3–10 kDa). Proteomic profiling using data-dependent (DDA) and data-independent (DIA) mass spectrometry identified 1500 and 1702 proteins, respectively (1% global FDR). Ultrasonication induced surface irregularity and a less compact, heterogeneous microstructure. Topology predictions showed higher proportions of transmembrane and secretory proteins in ultrasonicated fractions. Extraction preserved protein integrity (82% molecular-weight retention, 97% tryptic …

Limitations And Alternative Applications Of Carbohydrate Fatty Acid Esters As Food Antimicrobials: A Review, Valeria Rodríguez Monge, Namhyeon Park

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science Student Research

Carbohydrate fatty acid esters (CFAs) are nontoxic food additives with reported antimicrobial activity and growing interest as a potential safer alternative to conventional preservatives. However, their translation into real food systems remains limited. This review examined the main factors that restrict the antimicrobial performance of CFAs in foods and evaluated emerging alternative applications, particularly edible coatings, antibiofilm strategies, and synergistic combinations with other cleaning agents or processing techniques. Overall, the available evidence indicates that the antimicrobial efficacy of CFAs is often reduced in real food matrices compared with in vitro conditions. This loss of activity has been mainly associated with …

The Effects Of Maceration And Enzymes On The Chemical Characteristics Of Hard Apple Cider, Manou De Pelsmaeker

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of maceration and pectinase enzymes on the base chemical, polyphenolic, and volatile characteristics of cider. The apples (Fuji) were milled and macerated for 0, 4, 12, 24, or 36 hours, both with and without an enzymatic pectinase addition. While base chemical characteristics such as sugar content and ABV were unaffected, the acidity of cider was influenced maceration and enzymes. Extended maceration time resulted in lower concentrations of malic acid, and enzymes resulted in a lower pH compared to the control. Polyphenols were extracted during maceration time, resulting in higher concentrations …

Roots And Greens: Discovering The Power Of Indigenous Produce, Abiodun T. Atoloye, Sherif O. Olasoji, Ebunoluwa G. Ibidapo

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences Courseware

The curriculum was designed in alignment with the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning (CTML), Empowerment Theory (ET), and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) frameworks. These frameworks were used to determine the selection and sequencing of learning activities. As reflected in CTML principles, the use of texts, images, infographics, and videos enhances knowledge retention and information comprehension and helps prevent cognitive overload. Through activities, homework, and family engagement, the principles of ET were incorporated into the curriculum to facilitate participants’ perceived control over food-related decisions. Additionally, by applying the principles of SCT, the curriculum incorporates scenario-based questions, opportunities to engage with peers, …

The Cultivation Of Public Perception: Cultivated Meat Narratives And Misinformation On Tiktok, Anna M. Balkus

Graduate Masters Theses

Cultivated meat is an emerging tissue engineering technology that has the potential to address major issues threatening food systems, including climate change, rapid population growth, and the spread of disease. Among technical challenges, public perception remains a significant barrier for the widespread adoption of cultivated meat. While social media has transformed communication globally, it has simultaneously contributed to corrupt online environments infected with misinformation—unintentional inaccuracies that differ from disinformation, which is spread with the intent to mislead. The way the public receives and digests information regarding new food technologies, like cultivated meat, will be shaped by their social media environment. …

Examining The Ligands, Location, And Function Of Toll-Like Receptor 10, Kiefer Keanu Tam

Master's Theses

Toll-like receptors are a class of innate immune pattern recognition receptors that detect pathogen-associated molecular patterns and regulate downstream inflammatory responses. Toll-like receptor 10 remains the only human TLR whose ligand specificity, cellular localization, and immunological function are not fully defined. Emerging evidence suggests that TLR10 may play an anti-inflammatory role and can heterodimerize with TLR2 to modulate immune signaling. Previous studies from our laboratory demonstrated that stimulation with heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis promotes TLR2-TLR10 heterodimerization and trafficking to the cell surface. In this study, we expanded our ligand panel to include additional gram-positive bacteria, particularly anti-inflammatory probiotic species, to further …

Caffeine Perceptions And Reality In High School Gymnasts, Gabrielle Steinkopf

InnovateHER Meeting 2026

From years of observation as a high school gymnast, there is a noted “caffeine culture” among gymnasts at my high school. Since gymnastics is a precision sport with not inconsiderable danger, I wondered what impact caffeine ingestion had on athletes. Athletes were asked to give up caffeine during a series of regular season meets, with reflection questions immediately after each meet to assess the impact caffeine might have had on performance vs the gymnasts’ perception of the effects

Exploring Google Trends In Assessing Personal Finance Needs For Cooperative Extension Service Programming, Megan Wells

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Cooperative Extension Service (CES) relies on systematic needs assessments to guide program development; yet, traditional approaches often depend heavily on stakeholder input and professional judgment, offering limited insight into consumer level needs. This mixed methods study explored Google Trends as a complementary, consumer driven data source for assessing Family Resource Management (FRM) needs within the Arkansas CES. Grounded in Witkin and Altschuld’s three level needs assessment framework and Uses and Gratifications Theory, the study integrated three data sources representing stakeholders, service providers, and consumers: (1) Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) advisory committee reports, (2) survey of Family Consumer Science …

At The Intersection Of Science And Sustainability: A Qualitative Study Of Food Scientists' Personal And Professional Perspectives, Srushti Parikh

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Sustainable food systems require not only technological innovation but a more profound understanding of the professionals involved in the field. Even though the topic of sustainability is currently gaining importance throughout the food industry, the real expertise of food scientists is under-researched. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to explore food scientists' perspectives on sustainability, how these perceptions influence the way they pursue their careers, and how they view their impact in the larger sustainability agenda of the food industry. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This study captured detailed insights of 22 food scientists’ perspectives through qualitative methods. Food scientists in …

Assessment Of The Quality, Practicality, And Economic Viability Of Malted Rice, Bernardo Pontes Guimaraes

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Climate change threatens the global supply of malting barley, creating a need for sustainable, climate-resilient alternative grains for the brewing industries. This dissertation investigated the chemical, sensorial, practical, and economic viability of using rice as a malting material. First, the malting and brewing qualities of 20 rice samples were evaluated. Results indicated malted rice (MR) had good malting and brewing qualities, including adequate levels of free amino nitrogen (FAN), high amyloglucosidase and limit dextrinase activities. Furthermore, pigmented rice varieties displayed a novel reddish-purple wort color. To identify rice cultivars suited for malting and brewing, the relationship between starch chemistry and …

Cross-Facility Reliable Deep Learning Based Beef Marbling Assessment Via Unsupervised Domain Adaptation Regression, Samuel Vinson

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Inconsistent quality grading in beef production leads to inefficiencies, economic disparity, and consumer mistrust. While USDA meat grading traditionally relies on skilled visual inspectors, these human evaluations suffer from cross-facility variability and subjectivity. This paper introduces the first known application of unsupervised domain adaptation regression for cross-facility beef marbling score prediction—an innovation that improves generalization across diverse environments in the beef supply chain. Utilizing numerical scores ranging from 100-900, the research employed convolutional neural networks (CNNs), including ResNet, VGG, and AlexNet architectures. The study specifically introduced and validated a unified unsupervised domain adaptation regression method using the ResNet-50 architecture to …

Food-Form Delivery Of Spore-Forming Probiotics As An Alternative To Gavage In Animal Models, Aubreyona Faith Migliori Skalka

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Western dietary patterns are characterized by nutrient-poor, calorie-rich diets and have been linked to poor health outcomes and gut inflammation phenotypes. Probiotics are often taken to support gut health, but many beneficial bacteria do not survive transport through the digestive system to produce any effect. Spore-forming bacteria, such as Bacillus coagulans, are more resilient due to their hardy outer coat which aids in survival through many obstacles encountered in the gastrointestinal tract, including acidic stomach conditions. In research studies, probiotics are usually given to mice through a procedure called oral gavage, where a tube is used to deliver the …

Lipid Deposition In Beef Cattle, Kyra L. Elliott

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Both the amount and types of lipid deposition in beef cattle are key determinants of carcass value and meat quality. Amounts of intramuscular, subcutaneous, and visceral fat influence carcass grading outcomes, palatability, and composition traits that are important to beef producers as well as consumers. The objectives of this thesis were to: 1) compare beef grading camera estimates of intramuscular fat to amounts of chemically extractable lipid, 2) characterize the lipidomes of beef intramuscular fat, subcutaneous fat, and lean muscle using shotgun lipidomics, and 3) identify and characterize a novel genetic variant in cattle that may have important implications for …

Application Of High-Pressure Processing To Improve The Color Of Dark Beef, Kara Ann Reynolds

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Deviation of beef from the bright cherry-red color preferred by consumers is often discounted or discarded at retail, resulting in substantial annual economic loss to the beef industry. One such deviation is dark cutting beef, which is characterized by a darker lean appearance that is undesirable to consumers and often rejected. Similarly, beef from mature cattle tends to exhibit a darker surface color, which can also reduce consumer acceptability. High-Pressure processing (HPP) has been investigated as a strategy to improve the color of dark cutting beef. Previous studies have focused on identifying pressure levels and holding times that optimize color …

Tips For Health Care Practitioners: A Guide For Adolescent Obesity, Regina Santana

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Adolescent obesity continues to be a significant public health concern that is associated with long term physical consequences. The purpose of this project was to develop an evidence based, user friendly guidebook that supports healthcare professionals in the education of adolescents with obesity and their families. A structured literature review development process was used to inform the current development of the guidebook. The guidebook includes components of obesity management such as nutrition and physical activity recommendations. The validity of the content was established through the evaluation of five healthcare professionals that include registered dietitians and licensed therapists. The guidebook was …

Solvent-Dependent Proteome Profiling In Edible Mushrooms (Hypsizygus Marmoreus And Agaricus Bisporus), Tanvir Ahmed, O'Lone, Angéla Juhász, Utpal Bose, Kenneth U. Agbo, Netsanet Shiferaw Terefe, Michelle L. Colgrave

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study compared five solvents - urea, carbonate-bicarbonate, citrate, phosphate, and water - for their ability to extract proteins from beech (BM) (Hypsizygus marmoreus) and Swiss brown (SB) (Agaricus bisporus) mushrooms. Using mass spectrometry-based proteomics and bioinformatics, we found that urea produced the highest total protein identifications by data-dependent acquisition at 1% false discovery rate (FDR): BM: 1739, SB: 1907; and by data-independent acquisition: BM: 1969, SB: 2172 proteins, especially enriching cytosolic and ribosomal proteins. Carbonate-bicarbonate favoured the extraction of metabolic and translational proteins, while citrate targeted extracellular and membrane-associated proteins related to cell wall dynamics. Phosphate-enriched catalytically active proteins, …

The Impact Of Label Material On Perceived Value And Environmental-Friendliness Of Beverages In Returnable Glass Bottles Versus Actual Environmental Impact Via Life Cycle Assessment, Toni Sharp

All Dissertations

With guidance from the EPA to reduce virgin packaging use and alternatively increase reuse, the concept of reusable packaging has re-emerged as a potential sustainable alternative to single-use and recyclable packaging. For businesses, an understanding of the potential environmental benefits of switching from single-use packaging to reusable packaging, along with consumer willingness to pay for sustainable packaging are paramount. Existing literature on willingness to pay (WTP) for ethical or sustainable products typically relies on consumers’ stated preferences found through surveys using hypothetical products and prices. It has been revealed that sustainability claims printed on the label or products in glass …