Life Sciences Commons^™

Maine Food Trader, New England Environmental Finance Center, University Of Southern Maine

Local Food Systems

A free website for buying, selling, trading and donating local food. Keep food from going to waste and help make food production a good way to make a living in Maine.

Understanding Why Adult Participants At The World Senior Games Choose A Healthy Diet, Ray M. Merrill, Eric C. Shields

Faculty Publications

Identifying those seniors most likely to adopt a healthy diet, the relative importance they place on certain perceived benefits associated with a healthy diet, and whether these perceived benefits are associated with selected demographic, lifestyle, and health history variables is important for directing effective dietary health promotion programs. Methods: Analyses are based on a cross-sectional convenience sample of 670 seniors aged 50 years and older at the 2002 World Senior Games in St. George, Utah. Data are assessed using frequencies, bivariate analysis, analysis of variance, and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results Fruit and vegetable consumption was significantly higher in individuals …

The Application And Evaluation Of Modified Atmosphere Packaging In Selected Minimally Processed Vegetables, Aine Greene

Masters

The central aim of this study was to optimise the processing and storage of selected vegetable within the parameters of extended shelf life, time/temperature relationships and sensory quality. The vegetables were selected on the basis of the results of a survey of the Irish vegetable industry. The current literature in the field of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and the Irish vegetable industry was reviewed. The current state and future requirements of the Irish vegetable industry was investigated through the use of a questionnaire. This established the views of Irish vegetable purchasers (food service, fast food and retail outlets), in relation …

Presentation Of Allergen In Different Food Preparations Affects The Nature Of The Allergic Reaction—A Case Series, K. E. C. Grimshaw, R. M. King, J. A. Nordlee, S. L. Hefle, John O. Warner, J. O.'B. Hourihane

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Background: Characterization of fatal and nonfatal reactions to food indicates that the majority of reactions are due to the ingestion of prepared foods rather than the nonprocessed allergen. In an ongoing study that used a double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge to investigate peanut allergy and clinical symptoms, the observed reaction severity in four of the first six subjects was greater than anticipated. We hypothesized that this was due to differences in the composition of the challenge vehicle. Objective: The aim was to investigate whether the severity of observed challenge reactions would be repeated on rechallenge with a lower fat challenge vehicle. …

Tomographic Reconstruction Of Treponemal Cytoplasmic Filaments Reveals Novel Bridging And Anchoring Components, Jacques Izard, Bruce F. Mcewen, Rita M. Barnard, Thomas Portuese, William A. Samsonoff, Ronald J. Limberger

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

An understanding of the involvement of bacterial cytoplasmic filaments in cell division requires the elucidation of the structural organization of those filamentous structures. Treponemal cytoplasmic filaments are composed of one protein, CfpA, and have been demonstrated to be involved in cell division. In this study, we used electron tomography to show that the filaments are part of a complex with a novel molecular organization that includes at least two distinct features decorating the filaments. One set of components appears to anchor the filaments to the cytoplasmic membrane. The other set of components appears to bridge the cytoplasmic filaments on the …

Sheep Updates 2003 - Meat, Lucy Anderton, Rob Davidson, Keith Croker, Robin Jacob, Rachel Kirby, Steve Meerwald, John Milton, David Pethick

Sheep Updates

This session covers seven papers from different authors: 1. Economic analysis of using terminal sires in a self replacing Merino flock Lucy Anderton, Department of Agriculture Western Australia, Katanning 2. Is the mating of ewe weaners an option for increasing the numbers of lambs in WA? Rob Davidson University of WA, Crawley and Keith Croker Department of Agriculture Western Australia, South Perth 3.Dehydration of lambs at the time of slaughter Robin Jacob, School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University 4.Feeding prime lambs for slaughter Rachel Kirby, Outback Solutions 5. Live sheep export R&D Steve Meerwald, Wellard Rural Exports 6. …

Functional And Comparative Genomic Analyses Of An Operon Involved In Fructooligosaccharide Utilization By Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Rodolphe Barrangou, Eric Altermann, Robert W. Hutkins, Raul Cano, Todd Klaenhammer

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a probiotic organism that displays the ability to use prebiotic compounds such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS), which stimulate the growth of beneficial commensals in the gastrointestinal tract. However, little is known about the mechanisms and genes involved in FOS utilization by Lactobacillus species. Analysis of the L. acidophilus NCFM genome revealed an msm locus composed of a transcriptional regulator of the LacI family, a four-component ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transport system, a fructosidase, and a sucrose phosphorylase. Transcriptional analysis of this operon demonstrated that gene expression was induced by sucrose and FOS but not by glucose or fructose, suggesting …

Predicting Adolescents’ Intake Of Fruits And Vegetables, Leslie A. Lytle, Sherri Varnell, David M. Murray, Mary Story, Cherly Perry, Amanda Birnbaum, Martha Y. Kubik

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

Objective

To explore potential predictors of adolescent fruit and vegetable intake by expanding on current theory and drawing from other adolescent research.

Design

This research reports on the baseline and interim data from a school-based intervention study. Data were collected through surveys administered to students at the beginning and end of their 7th-grade year.

Setting

The students attended 16 public schools in Minnesota.

Participants

Data were collected on 3878 students; approximately half were female and 67% were white. All students in the 7th-grade cohort were invited to participate in the surveys and over 94% completed both surveys.

Variables Measured

Our …

Effects Of Long-Term Storage On Quality Of Regular And Quick Rolled Oats, M. B. Mcewan, Lynn V. Ogden, Oscar A. Pike

Faculty Publications

Traditionally, shelf life studies of cereal staples have investigated quality after storage for a maximum of several (~18) months. However, there is a market for product that will store for much longer periods of time, intended for such uses as personal storage, emergency relief efforts and military rations. Rolled oats in hermetically sealed cans and treated to remove oxygen are available at the retail level, yet little work has investigated the effects of long-term storage on quality. The objective of this research was to investigate the quality of regular and quick rolled oats packaged in cans for long-term storage. Twenty …

Quality Of White Rice Retail Packaged In No. 10 Cans For Long-Term Storage, M. B. Halling, N. D. Van Noy, Lynn V. Ogden, Oscar A. Pike

Faculty Publications

Dry foods, such as white rice, are available for retail sale packaged in No. 10 cans for long-term storage in case of natural disasters or other emergencies. Little information is available regarding the quality of such products that are packaged for prolonged storage using hermetically sealed containers and oxygen absorbers. The objective of this research was to evaluate and compare the quality of several different brands of white rice products packaged for long-term storage, available at the retail level. Ten brands of rice products (7 long-grain white rice, 2 parboiled white rice, 1 instant white rice) packaged in No. 10 …

Quality Of Dehydrated Whole Egg Packaged In No. 10 Cans, T.A. Gnadt, Lynn V. Ogden, Oscar A. Pike

Faculty Publications

Dehydration reduces egg mass and increases shelf-life without significantly affecting most functional properties. This has created a demand for dehydrated whole egg in military rations, emergency relief programs and personal storage. However, because such products are usually stored before use, the buyer may be unaware of product quality until long after purchase. The purpose of this study was to investigate the quality of several brands of dehydrated whole egg commercially packaged in No. 10 cans. Eight brands of dehydrated whole egg were obtained from food retailers. All but 1 brand were labeled as having a low oxygen environment. A 50 …

Quality And Adequacy For Long-Term Storage Of Dehydrated Apple Slices Packaged In No. 10 Cans, T. S. Oesterle, Lynn V. Ogden, Oscar A. Pike

Faculty Publications

Dehydrated food commodities can be packaged in restaurant-size No.10 cans intended for long-term storage for such uses as personal storage, emergency relief efforts and military rations. Because foods packaged for long-term storage are seldom opened soon after purchase, the quality of the product or the adequacy of the packaging could be unknown to the buyer for months or even years. The objective of this research was to compare the quality of various brands of dehydrated apple slices sold at the retail level in No.10 cans and to evaluate the adequacy of the packaging for long-term food storage. Nine brands of …

Quality Of Hermetically Packaged Nonfat Dry Milk In Long-Term Storage, Michelle A. Lloyd, Lynn V. Ogden, Oscar A. Pike

Faculty Publications

Over the past few decades, nonfat dry milk (NFDM) has been retail-packaged for long-term storage in No. 10 cans under reduced oxygen concentrations for use in emergency situations. Little information is available concerning the quality of NFDM held in such conditions for prolonged storage periods. The objective of this research was to evaluate the quality attributes of NFDM in hermetically sealed cans with reduced oxygen levels held in long-term storage. Twenty samples of regular and instant NFDM (representing 9 brands) stored up to 29 years at ambient conditions were obtained from 14 sources. Samples were evaluated for headspace oxygen, can …

Quality Of Dehydrated Mashed Potatoes Retail Packaged In No. 10 Cans, H. Farnsworth, Lynn V. Ogden, Oscar A. Pike

Faculty Publications

Manufacturers of further processed potato products recognize consumer demand for convenience and the economy of transporting dehydrated commodities. Because of their bulkiness, dehydrated potato products are often sold in large containers, including No. 10 cans. The quality of such products available at the retail level has not been reported. The objective of this research was to compare the quality of several brands of dehydrated instant mashed potatoes packaged in No. 10 cans for retail sale. Eight brands of instant mashed potatoes, including two types (4 granules, 4 flakes) packaged in No. 10 cans were obtained from retail outlets representing at …

Approaching Foodservice Establishments With Locally Grown Products, Food Processing Center

Food Processing Center: Reports

This report summarizes the initial findings of a survey of members of the Chefs Collaborative organization. The Chefs Collaborative is a national network of more than 1,000 members of the food community who promote sustainable cuisine by celebrating the joys of local, seasonal and artisanal ingredients. Many of the Chefs Collaborative members have significant expertise in purchasing locally grown food products. The purpose of this research and the following report is to 1) use the expertise gained by members of the Chefs Collaborative organization in order to help producers market their products to the foodservice industry and 2) to examine …

Metabolism Of Fructooligosaccharides By Lactobacillus Paracasei 1195, Handan Kaplan, Robert W. Hutkins

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Fermentation of fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and other oligosaccharides has been suggested to be an important property for the selection of bacterial strains used as probiotics. However, little information is available on FOS transport and metabolism by lactic acid bacteria and other probiotic bacteria. The objectives of this research were to identify and characterize the FOS transport system of Lactobacillus paracasei 1195. Radiolabeled FOS was synthesized enzymatically from [³H]sucrose and purified by column and thin-layer chromatography, yielding three main products: glucose (G) α-1,2 linked to two, three, or four fructose (F) units (GF₂, GF₃, and GF …

Agricultural Processing And The Western Australian Economy, Nazrul Islam, Peter Johnson

Agriculture reports

This paper investigated the impact that an expansion in agricultural processing would have on the Western Australian economy by developing and applying a Computable General Equilibrium economic model of Western Australia (called WAM). WAM was used to simulate the effects of a $1 million expansion in eight agricultural processing industries.

Asian Salted Noodle Quality: Impact Of Amylose Content Adjustments Using Waxy Wheat Flour, G. Guo, David S. Jackson, Robert A. Graybosch, Anne M. Parkhurst

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Fourteen flour blends of two natural wild-type wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) flours, 'Nuplains' and 'Centura', blended with one waxy flour sample were characterized and processed to Asian salted noodles. The flour amylose content range was

Wheat Tortilla Quality: Impact Of Amylose Content Adjustments Using Waxy Wheat Flour, G. Guo, David S. Jackson, Robert A. Graybosch, Anne M. Parkhurst

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Amylose content is closely related to wheat flour pasting or thermal properties, and thus affects final food qualities. Fourteen flour blends with amylose content ranges of < 1 to 29% were used to study tortilla production and quality parameters. Reduced amylose contents decreased dough stickiness and pliability; low amylose doughs were also very smooth in appearance. Very low flour amylose content was associated with earlier tortilla puffing and poor machinability during baking, darker color, low opacity, larger diameters, and reduced flexibility after storage. Tortilla texture analysis indicated that lowering amylose content gave fresh tortillas higher extensibility; after three or more days storage, however, low amylose flours required more force to break the tortillas and the rupture distances became shorter. These results, as reflected in covariate analysis, were not significantly reflected by the flour blend's protein content, swelling volume/power, SDS-sedimentation volume, mixograph dough development time, or mixograph tolerance score. Based on our observation of an initial increase in extensibility with reduced-amylose tortillas, adding 10-20% waxy flour into wild-type flours should be ideal for restaurant (on-site) tortilla production or circumstances where tortillas are consumed shortly (within a day) after production. The optimal flour amylose content for hot-press wheat tortilla products is 24-26%.

The Pig In Irish Cuisine Past And Present, Mairtin Mac Con Iomaire

Conference papers

The inspiration to research and present this paper came from a folklore tale about how Saint Martin created the pig from a piece of fat. The paper will explore the pig in Irish cuisine and culture from ancient times to the present. The paper will discuss the pig in Irish literature and mythology; outline the role the emergence of the potato had on domestic pig keeping, and trace the rise of commercial processing in the nineteenth century to the present day. It will highlight a number of traditional Irish dishes using pig meat and illustrate how today’s chefs have incorporated …

Power, Privilege, And Special Interests: Rent Seeking And Subsidies In Agriculture, Matt Bogard

Agriculture Department Seminar Series

This presentation covers what Public Choice economists refer to as ‘rent seeking,’ generally seeking favor or special privilege from government through subsidies or regulatory advantages. Particularly, the biotech industry is the area of focus for this presentation. Problems with rent seeking in the biotech industry involve less innovation and industry consolidation. Policies related to biotech regulation, school lunch programs, the Clean Air Act, and ethanol subsidies are discussed. A game theoretic approach is used and it is concluded that issues related to rent seeking and special interests are not adequately addressed by recent campaign finance reform efforts. Alternatives such as …

2002 Wild Blueberry Project Reports, Alfred A. Bushway, Rodney J. Bushway, Kristi Crowe, Brian Perkins, Mary Ellen Camire, Kathy Davis-Dentici, Michael Dougherty, Kathleen Buzzard, Darrell Donahue, Frank Drummond, Judith Collins, Dorothy J. Klimis-Zacas, Richard A. Cook, David E. Yarborough, Gordon Starr, Constance A. Stubbs, Seanna L. Annis, John M. Smagula, Karen Loennecker

Wild Blueberry Research Reports

The 2002 edition of the Wild Blueberry Project Reports was prepared for the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine and the Wild Blueberry Advisory Committee by researchers at the University of Maine, Orono. Projects in this report include:

1. Factors Affecting Microbial and Pesticide Residue Levels on Wild Blueberries

2. Effect of Blueberry Products on Oxidation in Meat Based Food

3. Determination of Pesticide Residue Levels in Freshly Harvested and Processed Wild Blueberries

4. Detection of Infested Wild Blueberries using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

5. Investigation Of The Mechanism By Which Blueberry Fractions Maintain Arterial Integrity

6. Antioxidant Assessment in the Elderly

7. …

The Safety Of Genetically Modified Foods Produced Through Biotechnology, Robert M. Hollingworth, Leonard F. Bjeldanes, Michael Bolger, Ian Kimber, Barbara Jean Meade, Steve L. Taylor, Kendall B. Wallace

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

The Society of Toxicology (SOT) is committed to protecting and enhancing human, animal, and environmental health through the sound application of the fundamental principles of the science of toxicology. It is with this goal in mind that the SOT defines here its current consensus position on the safety of foods produced through biotechnology (genetic engineering). These products are commonly termed genetically modified foods, but this is misleading, since conventional methods of microbial, crop, and animal improvement also produce genetic modifications and these are not addressed here.
The available scientific evidence indicates that the potential adverse health effects arising from biotechnology-derived …

A Response Surface Analysis Of Commercial Corn Starch Annealing, Serap Ozcan, David S. Jackson

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Native starch is composed of granules that are organized, durable, and morphologically identifiable microscopic structures of amylose and amylopectin molecules (Virtanen and Autio 1993; Snyder 1984). Sahai and Jackson (1994) reported that native starch granules from a single starch source were not homogeneous in character and had different functional properties. Because of their heterogeneity, it should not be expected that starch granules behave uniformly when heated in water (Sahai and Jackson 1996). The extent of heat treatment, starch hydration. and the inherent physical and chemical properties of native starch determine the structure and functionality of starch in a food system. …

Genome Diversification In Phylogenetic Lineages I And Ii Of Listeria Monocytogenes: Identification Of Segments Unique To Lineage Ii Populations, Chaomei Zhang, Min Zhang, Jingliang Ju, Joseph Nietfeldt, John Wise, Phillip M. Terry, Michael Olson, Stephen D. Kachman, Martin Wiedmann, Mansour Samadpour, Andrew K. Benson

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Thirteen different serotypes of Listeria monocytogenes can be distinguished on the basis of variation in somatic and flagellar antigens. Although the known virulence genes are present in all serotypes, greater than 90% of human cases of listeriosis are caused by serotypes 1/2a, 1/2b, and 4b and nearly all outbreaks of food-borne listeriosis have been caused by serotype 4b strains. Phylogenetic analysis of these three common clinical serotypes places them into two different lineages, with serotypes 1/2b and 4b belonging to lineage I and 1/2a belonging to lineage II. To begin examining evolution of the genome in these serotypes, DNA microarray …

Agricultural Biotechnology In China: An Unreachable Goal?, Stanley P. Kowalski

Law Faculty Scholarship

Recently there has been much discussion about the People’s Republic of China’s (PR) investment in and commitment to agricultural biotechnology (agri-biotech). Rapid economic expansion, population growth and technological development are changing the PRC; accompanying these changes is increased demand for high-quality food and fibre. Agri-biotech is optimistically viewed as an important way to meet these demands. Whereas Chinese technological capacity in agri-biotech has advanced significantly over the past decade, it may be unable to meet these challenges. Even when this capacity is combined with good intentions, enlightened policy and large capital outlays, accelerated development of agri-biotech may nevertheless be precluded. …

Characterization Of Escherichia Coli O157:H7 From Downer And Healthy Dairy Cattle In The Upper Midwest Region Of The United States, C. M. Byrne, I. Erol, J. E. Call, C. W. Kaspar, D. R. Buege, C. J. Hiemke, P. J. Fedorka-Cray, Andrew K. Benson, F. M. Wallace, J. B. Luchansky

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

While cattle in general have been identified as a reservoir of Escherichia coli O157:H7, there are limited data regarding the prevalence and clonality of this pathogen in downer dairy cattle and the potential impact to human health that may occur following consumption of meat derived from downer dairy cattle. In the present study, conducted at two slaughter facilities in Wisconsin between May and October of 2001, we established a higher prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in fecal and/or tissue samples obtained aseptically from intact colons of downer dairy cattle (10 of 203, 4.9%) than in those from healthy dairy cattle …

Volume 1, Number 2 (2003), Ut Institute Of Agriculture

Tennessee Land, Life and Science Magazine

Issue Highlights:

• Insects as Teaching Tools
• Helping Children Succeed
• Honors Student Faces Bright Future
• Reinventing the Family Farm

Volume 1, Number 3 (2003), Ut Institute Of Agriculture

Tennessee Land, Life and Science Magazine

Issue Highlights:

• Booming Biotechnology
• Lessons in Leadership
• New Options for Producers
• Entering an Exciting New Era

Volume 1, Number 1 (2003), Ut Institute Of Agriculture

Tennessee Land, Life and Science Magazine

Issue Highlights:

• Adding Value to Dogwoods
• A Building to Advance Science
• Teaching Lessons in Life
• Towards a Brighter Forest Future