Life Sciences Commons^™

Behavior Of Escherichia Coli O157:H7 In Tomato And Processed Tomato Products, Broderick Eribo, Mogessie Ashenafi

Department of Biology Faculty Publications

The survival of E. coli O157:H7 in acid foods for weeks and its prolonged survival in refrigerated acid foods are well documented. This prompted the study to evaluate survival of E. coli O157:H7 in tomato and processed tomato products. The pH of the various products ranged from 4.2 to 4.8 and some products contained preservatives such as vinegar. Samples were separately inoculated with a mixture of four E. coli O157:H7 strains previously isolated from hamburger meat at lower and higher initial inoculum levels, incubated at 4 and 25 °C and assayed for survival at regular intervals. In fresh whole tomato, …

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

Local Food Systems

A free classified advertising website for listing anything you need to make your Maine food business succeed.

Public Perceptions Of Food Safety: Assessing The Risks Posed By Genetic Modification, Irradiation, Pesticides, Microbiological Contamination And High Fat/High Calorie Foods, Michael D. Mehta

The University of New Hampshire Law Review

[Excerpt] "In general, people in the developed world have access to a safe and varied supply of food. Instead of systemic hunger, many developed countries have problems with obesity and other kinds of eating disorders among their citizenry. It is within this context that some find public concerns about the safety of food both paradoxical and misplaced. Nevertheless, understanding how people perceive the risk associated with food is an important exercise in demonstrating accountability and in setting priorities for regulation. With the advent of technologies for producing genetically modified foods, and the development of fat blockers like Olestra, the public …

Post-Processing Pasteurization Of Packaged Frankfurters For Control Of Listeria Monocytogenes, Charlene Belles

Masters Theses

Contamination of processed frankfurters with Listeria monocytogenes occurs between the removal of the casing and the packaging steps. Every year, this contamination causes numerous recalls and several cases of listeriosis. The purpose of this study was to combine a lactic acid treatment and the application of post-packaging steam to reduce L. monocytogenes populations on vacuum packaged, refrigerated mixed meat frankfurters. Changes in color and texture of frankfurters after treatment were also monitored.

In Part I of the study, frankfurters were inoculated with a five-strain mixture of L. monocytogenes (log 7 CFU/frankfurter). After 24 hours, the surface of the frankfurter was …

Modification Of Protein Structure And Functionality Using High-Intensity Ultrasound, Demet Güzey

Masters Theses

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of high intensity ultrasound on the adsorption kinetics of proteins. Protein solutions (3x10^-4 M ) were treated with ultrasound at power intensity levels ranging from 5 to 35 Wcm^-2 and at temperatures ranging from 20 to 85 ^oC with treatment times ranging from 15 to 45 minutes. Also, the effect of pulsing versus continuous application on the ultrasound treatment was evaluated. Surface activity (adsorption and coverage) of proteins was investigated using a drop shape analysis tensiometer. The study consisted of three major parts.

The results of the …

Effects Of Different Lowbush Blueberry Purees On Lipid Oxidation In Pre-Cooked Ground Turkey Patties, Kathleen Gabriel Buzzard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A growing trend in the food industry is the development of pre-cooked, ready-to-eat, meat products that only require reheating. However, reheating meats creates off-flavors that have been identified as warmed-over flavors (WOF). The off-flavors pose a problem to product development specialists during the development of cooked meat products. Lipid oxidation has been determined to effect warmed-over flavor, texture, and the appearance of reheated meat products. Ground turkey undergoes lipid oxidation rapidly because of its high-unsaturated fat content. Blueberries contain antioxidants, including anthocyanins and phenolic acids, which could potentially retard the rate of lipid oxidation in precooked meats. Blueberries are assorted …

Effects Of Post-Harvest Treatments On The Microbiological Quality And Pesticide Residues Of Lowbush Blueberries, Kristi Michele Crowe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lowbush blueberries of the species Vaccinium angustifohm are native to the Northeast United States. In the state of Maine, lowbush blueberries are commercially managed and harvested each year to be marketed as either IQF (individually quick fiozen) or fiesh pack. Since IQF berries are processed at the field level, post-harvest treatments must be effective in ensuring crop quality and safety. Furthermore, with the increase in concern for microbiological and chemical food safety, post-harvest treatment of lowbush blueberries must be effective in reducing microbial populations and pesticide residues. Currently, the Maine Wild Blueberry Industry incorporates a 50-100ppm chlorinated water spray into …

Validation Of Physical Activity Recording By Adolescent Girls, Alison Camesano

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Physical activity is recorded in bone mineralization studies because physical activity increases bone mass and decreases the risk of osteoporosis. The purpose of this research was to validate a method of physical activity recording used in a longitudinal bone study of adolescent girls. The physical activity recording method was a combination of a diary and an interview-administered recall. The method was validated against an objective measure of physical activity. Twenty-four adolescent girls between the ages of 9.8 and 14.1 wore Stayhealthy RT3 Research Trackers (tri-axial accelerometers) arid recorded their activity for 24 hours on a diary form. The activity records …

Food Groups And The Risk Of Colorectal Carcinoma In An Asian Population, Adeline Seow, Stella Quah, Denis Nyam, Paulin Tay Straughan, Terrence Chua, Tar-Choon Aw

Research Collection School of Social Sciences

BACKGROUND. Singapore Chinese have experienced a rapid transition toward a pattern of disease in which lifestyle-related, chronic, degenerative diseases are major public health concerns. The rates of colorectal carcinoma have increased 2-fold over the last 3 decades. It has long been known that dietary factors play a role in the risk of this disease, although studies in Asian populations, with their unique dietary intake, have been few.METHODS. The authors conducted a population-based case-control study that included 121 Chinese patients with colorectal carcinoma and 222 healthy control participants who provided information on usual intake of major food groups in the preceding …

Diet, Obesity And Reflux In The Etiology Of Adenocarcinomas Of The Esophagus And Gastric Cardia In Humans, Susan Mayne, Stephanie A. Navarro Silvera

Department of Public Health Scholarship and Creative Works

Incidence rates for esophageal adenocarcinoma have increased >350% since the mid-1970s. Rates for gastric cardia adenocarcinoma have also increased, although less steeply. This led to the initiation of large population-based case-control studies, particularly in the United States and Sweden, aimed at identifying risk factors for these cancers. Results have been emerging from these studies, with the consistent finding that obesity and gastroesophageal reflux disease are important risk factors for these cancers. Analyses of dietary factors are also available and indicate that diets high in total fat, saturated fat and cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of these cancers, whereas …

Guidelines For The Management Of Microbial Food Safety In Fruit Packing Houses, Tony Portman, Elizabeth Frankish, Graham Mcalpine

Bulletins 4000 -

The fresh produce industry has undergone significant change in recent years in the application of quality assurance to business operations. The quality assurance schemes implemented such as the SQF^CM programs, have generally served to provide a focus on food quality and operational issues, as well as food safety. Improvements of all aspects of the operations are identified to provide consistent quality, safe produce.

Monitoring Pv In Corn And Soybean Oils By Nir Spectroscopy, Gülgün (Yildiz) Tiryaki

Dr. Gülgün YILDIZ TIRYAKI

Gülgün Yildiz a, b, Randy L. Wehling*,a, and Susan L. Cuppett a a: Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0919, and b: Olive Culture Research Institute, Universite Cd. No. 43, Bornova/Izmir, Turkey 3500. NIR spectroscopy was used successfully in our laboratory to monitor oxidation levels in vegetable oils. Calibration models were developed to measure PV in both soy and corn oils, using partial least squares (PLS) regression and forward stepwise multiple linear regression, from NIR transmission spectra. PV can be measured successfully in both corn and soy oils using a single calibration. The most successful …

Gelatin Manufacturing Process And Product, Vesselin D. Miladinov, Aristippos Gennadios, Milford A. Hanna

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art by providing a process for manufacturing gelatin including cleaning a fowl-based source of collagen; subjecting the fowl-based source of collagen to at least one water extraction to extract gelatin from the collagen source; and separating the gelatin from any resulting by-products, wherein the process does not require an initial acid or lime pretreatment step. The present invention also includes a product made from this process.

Tb185: Designing A Labeling Policy For Genetically Modified Food: Results Of Focus Group Research, Mario F. Teisl, Lynn Halverson, Kelly O'Brien, Brian Roe

Technical Bulletins

The labeling of genetically modified foods is a topic of growing, and sometimes cantankerous, public debate—a debate whose outcome could dramatically alter the operation of the U.S. production agriculture, processing, distribution and retailing sectors. The debate surrounding the labeling of genetically modified foods is largely about how much information to supply to consumers to facilitate effective choice and how that information should be supplied. Although there seems to be empirical evidence of a mainstream desire for the labeling of genetically modified foods, we know of no study that has provided guidance to policy makers as to the best method of …

Isolation And Characterization Of Atriplex Hortensis And Sweet Chenopodium Quinoa Starches, K. H. Wright, K. C. Huber, Daniel J. Fairbanks, C. S. Huber

Faculty Publications

Starches from garden orach (Atriplex hortensis) and sweet quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd. "Surumi") seeds were isolated, examined for compositional characteristics, and compared with bitter quinoa (Cheno-podium quinoa Willd.) starch. Garden orach and sweet quinoa seeds were similar in fat and ash contents, while garden orach seeds contained 10% more protein. Starches were isolated from seeds following a 12-hr soak in dilute alkaline solution using a series of grinding, screening, centrifugation, and washing steps. Isolated starches viewed by scanning electron microscopy yielded angular, polygonal granules 2 m in diameter. Starches displayed typical A-type crystalline packing arrangements as determined by X-ray powder …

Chestnut Market Opportunities Assessing Upscale Restaurant Interest In Value-Added Chestnut Products, Food Processing Center

Food Processing Center: Reports

Chestnut trees, and consequently chestnuts, were a large part of American culture at the turn of the twentieth century. The American chestnut, which is one of four primary chestnut species--Japanese, European, and Chinese being the other three--was prominent in many parts of the country but particularly, the eastern part of the United States. The wood from the trees was commonly used in furniture making and the chestnuts from the tree were frequently included on ingredient lists from recipes used during that era. To not be familiar with and eat chestnuts then could be likened to not having heard of and …

Discovering Lactic Acid Bacteria By Genomics, Todd Klaenhammer, Eric Altermann, Fabrizio Arigoni, Alexander Bolotin, Fred Breidt, Jeffrey Broadbent, Raul Cano, Stephane Chaillou, Josef Deutscher, Mike Gasson, Maarten Van De Gutche, Jean Guzzo, Axel Hartke, Trevor Hawkins, Pascal Hols, Robert W. Hutkins, Michiel Kleerebezem, Jan Kok, Oscar Kuipers, Mark Lubbers, Emanuelle Maguin, Larry Mckay, David Mills, Arjen Nauta, Ross Overbeek, Herman Pel, David Pridmore, Milton Saier, Douwe Van Sinderen, Alexei Sorokin, James Steele, Daniel O'Sullivan, Willem De Vos, Bart Weimer, Monique Zagorec, Roland Seizen

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

This review summarizes a collection of lactic acid bacteria that are now undergoing genomic sequencing and analysis. Summaries are presented on twenty different species, with each overview discussing the organisms fundamental and practical significance, environmental habitat, and its role in fermentation, bioprocessing, or probiotics. For those projects where genome sequence data were available by March 2002, summaries include a listing of key statistics and interesting genomic features. These efforts will revolutionize our molecular view of Gram-positive bacteria, as up to 15 genomes from the low GC content lactic acid bacteria are expected to be available in the public domain by …

Hydrophobic Probe Binding Of Β-Lactoglobulin In The Native And Molten Globule State Induced By High Pressure As Affected By Ph, Kio3 And N-Ethylmaleimide, Jian Yang, Joseph R. Powers, Stephanie Clark, A. Keith Dunker, Barry G. Swanson

Stephanie Clark

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) at 500 MPa and 50 °C induces β-LG into the molten globule state. Retinol, cis-parinaric acid (CPA), and 1-anilino-naphthalene-8-sulfonate (ANS) fluorescence from pH 2.5 to 10.5 in the presence of the native and molten globule states of β-LG indicate that retinol binds to β-LG in the calyx, CPA at the surface hydrophobic site, and ANS in multiple hydrophobic sites. HHP treatment results in a decrease of β-LG affinity for retinol and CPA, suggesting conformational changes in the calyx and surface hydrophobic site of β-LG during HHP treatment. β-LG treated by HHP in the presence of N-ethylmaleimide …

Determination Of Residual Hexazinone In Maine's Soil And Water, L. Brian Perkins

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hexazinone, a systemic herbicide registered for use on wild blueberries in 1983 is credited with increasing Maine's wild blueberry crop by three-fold over a 10 year period, while also increasing overall fruit quality. Unfortunately, the high water solubility of hexazinone gives it a high leaching potential. This solubility factor is exacerbated by the sandy soils where wild blueberries are commonly propagated. In 1991 a routine screen for pesticides used in blueberry agriculture revealed traces of hexazinone in water samples from property formerly used for blueberry production. This discovery has led to the development of solid phase extraction (SPE) and direct-injection …

Factors Affecting The Determination Of Threshold Doses For Allergenic Foods: How Much Is Too Much?, Steve L. Taylor, Susan L. Hefle, Carsten Bindslev-Jensen, S. Allan Bock, A. Wesley Burks Jr., Lynn Christie, David J. Hill, Arne Host, Jonathan O'B. Hourihane, Gideon Lack, Dean D. Metcalfe, Denise Anne Moneret-Vautrin, Peter A. Vadas, Fabienne Rance, Daniel J. Skrypec, Thomas A. Trautman, Ingrid Malmheden Yman, Robert S. Zeiger

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Background: Ingestion of small amounts of an offending food can elicit adverse reactions in individuals with IgE-mediated food allergies. The threshold dose for provocation of such reactions is often considered to be zero. However, because of various practical limitations in food production and processing, foods may occasionally contain trace residues of the offending food. Are these very low, residual quantities hazardous to allergic consumers? How much of the offending food is too much? Very little quantitative information exists to allow any risk assessments to be conducted by the food industry.

Objective: We sought to determine whether the quality and quantity …

Nebraska Specialty Cheese Plant 2002, Food Processing Center

Food Processing Center: Reports

Vendors specializing in cheese processing equipment, both new and used, were identified and contacted. They were asked to supply as much information as they could on equipment requirements and costs associated with a “complete” cheese plant in very small (4,000 pounds raw milk/day), small (16,000 pounds raw milk/day), and medium-small (32,000 pounds raw milk/day) plant sizes. It was anticipated that these vendors would be better able to recommend equipment and provide costs for complete cheese making systems (plants) that could function efficiently to produce specialty cheese products. This is opposed to a more “piece meal” approach of putting together equipment …

Quality Attributes Of Dried Milk Products Packaged For Long-Term Storage, Michelle A. Lloyd, J. Zou, H. Farnsworth, Oscar A. Pike

Faculty Publications

There is a market for dehydrated foods, such as nonfat dry milk (NFDM), that are packaged for long-term storage in case of natural disasters or other emergencies. To maintain quality and optimize shelf-life, NFDM must be properly processed from good quality milk, well-packaged (minimizing moisture, light and oxygen), and stored appropriately. Research is needed to determine the variation in quality that exists in dried milk products intended for retail sale. The objective of this research was to evaluate and compare the quality of several types of dried milk products packaged for long-term storage. Ten brands of dried milk products (5 …

Complementary And Alternative Medicines: The Knowledge, Attitudes And Practices Of Dietitians In Maine, Jennifer Kristy Lawrance

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Consumer interest in complementary/alternative medicines (CAM) has increased substantially in the past thirty years. This is due to the growing knowledge of the link between diet and disease, as well as the cost and accessibility of health care. Despite substantial advances in the medical treatment of disease, many people seek patient-directed, nonprescription approaches to prevent and treat disease. In fact, it has been estimated that consumers spend over $ 13 billion each year on CAM. More people are taking ownership of their own health, and have thus turned to nonprescription measures for the prevention and treatment of disease. For the …

Can Cranberry Supplementation Reduce Risks For Diabetes?, Belinda K. Chambers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Diabetes affects approximately 250 million people worldwide and health care costs related to diabetes equal approximately $98 billion each year. Aldose reductase has been shown to contribute to the side effects of diabetes including kidney disease, nerve disease, and retinopathy. Cranberries contain anthocyanins and other flavonoids that have been shown in vitro to inhibit the enzyme aldose reductase and to inhibit protein glycosylation. It is believed that daily cranberry supplementation could reduce side effects of diabetes. Twenty-seven adults with type 2 diabetes were recruited for this 12 week double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Fasting blood analysis was done at weeks 0, 6, …

Pasteurization Of Apple Cider With Uv Irradiation, Nazife Canitez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In a period of increasing concern about food safety, food poisoning outbreaks where unpasterurized apple cider or apple juice was found contaminated with Escherichia coli 0157:H7 reinforces the need for using the best technologies in apple cider production. Most apple cider is sold as an unpasteurized raw product. Because of their acidity, it was believed that juice products do not usually contain microorganisms such as E. coli 0157:H7, Salmonella, and Crytosporidium. Yet all of these foodborne pathogens are capable of being transmitted in unpasteurized juices. It is known that these pathogens can survive for several weeks in a …

Adolescent Girls:Calcium Intake And Sources, Laura Agard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Calcium is an essential nutrient required for normal growth and development of the skeleton and teeth. Adequate calcium intake is critical during early adolescence to optimize peak bone mass and decrease the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Previous researchers, however, have concluded that adolescent girls consume insufficient calcium to meet the demands of rapid skeletal growth. National surveys conducted prior to 1997 showed that t.he major sources of calcium for adolescent girls were milk and milk products. Shortly after the new Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI's) for calcium were released in 1997, calcium fortified foods became more readily available on …

Tryptophan Catabolism In Brevibacterium Linens Bl2, Madhavi Ummadi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Recent studies suggest aromatic amino acid catabolism by starter lactococci and flavor adjunct bacteria have a significant impact on off-flavor development during Cheddar cheese ripening. We hypothesized that a flavor adjunct bacterium, Brevibacterium linens BL2, produces off-flavor compounds from aromatic amino acid metabolism that will have a detrimental impact on cheese flavor.

The mechanism of tryptophan (Trp) catabolism in Brevibacterium linens BL2, was investigated in a chemically defined medium during incubation in laboratory conditions (no carbohydrate, pH 6.50, 220 rpm, 25°C) and cheese-like conditions (no carbohydrate, 4% NaCl, static incubation, l5°C). In laboratory conditions, metabolic studies and enzyme assays confirmed …

The Effect Of Lactobacillus Helveticus And Propionibacterium Freudenreichii Ssp. Shermanii Combinations On Propensity For Split Defect In Swiss Cheese, Steven R. White

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

One of the least controlled defects in Swiss cheese is development of splits. Split defect is characterized by fissures or cracks in the body of the cheese that can be as short as 1 cm in length or long enough to span a 90-kg block. This defect appears during refrigerated storage after the cheese is removed from the warm room. Swiss cheese with splits is downgraded because it is unsuitable for use on high-speed slicing equipment (up to 1,000 slices per minute).

A 2x2x2 factorial experiment was used to determine the effect of different commercial Lactobacillus helveticus starters combined with …

Aromatic Amino Acid Catabolism By Lactobacillus Spp.: Biochemistry And Contribution To Cheese Flavor Development, Sanjay Gummalla

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Amino acids derived from the degradation of casein in cheese serve as precursors for the generation of desirable and undesirable flavor compounds. Microbial degradation of aromatic amino acids is associated with the formation of aroma compounds that impart putrid-fecal, barny-utensil, and floral off-flavors in cheese, but pathways for their production had not been established. This study investigated Tyr and Phe catabolism by Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus helveticus cheese flavor adjuncts under simulated Cheddar cheese-ripening conditions (pH 5.2, 4% NaCl, 15°C, no sugar). Enzyme assays of cell-free extracts and micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography of supernatants indicated that L. casei and L. …

The Effect Of Ginkgo Biloba On Alzheimer's Disease, Allison Marie Wozney

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive dementia associated with increasing loss of memory, intellectual function, and disturbances in speech. It is the most common form of dementia. It is an incurable disease and has four stages which culminate in coma and death. The average survival rate for Alzheimer's is seven years. Presently, the only treatments approved in the United States for Alzheimer's are the drugs tacrine and donepezil. These drugs improve cognitive function in early Alzheimer's. However, Ginkgo biloba has recently been looked at as another treatment option and has been approved for use in Germany. Ginkgo Biloba was originally used …