Life Sciences Commons^™

Screening And Identification Of Strains Of Lactic Acid Bacteria For Fermentation From Suancai In The Dai Ethnic Region Of Yunnan, Rui Wang, Jiawen Zhang, Lianqin Zhang, Xian Chen, Yan Chen, Cheng Zuo, Lixin Li, Yuhua Diao

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to screen the strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB ) suitable for Suancai fermentation.[Method ] Traditional fermented Suancai from the Dai ethnic region of Yunnan was used as the research samples for the isolation and purification of LAB.The purified isolates were evaluated for fermentation characteristics,including nitrite degradation,acid production,acid resistance,and salt tolerance.Additionally,the antimicrobial activity,antibiotic susceptibility,hemolytic activity,and amino acid decarboxylase activity were assessed to identify dominant strains.[Result ] A total of 208 LAB strains were isolated from 40 Suancai samples.Preliminary screening based on nitrite degradation identified 20 strains with high efficiency,and 16S rDNA sequencing identified 15 strains …

Antioxidant And Anti-Fatigue Properties Of Malus Spectabilis Fruit Polysaccharides In Mice, Zhilin Wen, Ming Li

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aimed to explore the antioxidant and anti-fatigue properties of Malus spectabilis fruit polysaccharides (MPPs ) and analyze the structure-activity relationships.[Method ] Two types of MPPs were prepared via acidic (AC-MPC ) and alkaline (AL-MPC ) extraction methods.The polysaccharide composition was identified by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC ).The changes in mouse body mass,serum biochemical indicators,and exhaustive swimming time were measured to assess the in vivo antioxidant and anti-fatigue effects of MPPs.[Result ] Galacturonic acid was the main component in both types of MMPs,while AL-MPC had higher mass fraction of total polysaccharides.The in vivo experiments demonstrated that both …

Ultrasound-Assisted Dual-Enzyme Extraction Condition Optimization And Antioxidant Activity Evaluation Of Anthocyanins From Perilla Leaves, Wenting Zhu, Shiyun Wang, Qiaolin Zhu, Qi Cao, Yixin Zhang, Tianran Hong

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to comprehensively develop perilla and improve its utilization value.[Method ] Using perilla leaves as raw material,the effects of solid-liquid ratio,ethanol volume fraction,ultrasonic time,and enzymatic hydrolysis time on the mass fraction of anthocyanins in perilla leaves were studied.The ultrasound-assisted dual-enzyme extraction conditions for anthocyanins from perilla leaves were optimized by the response surface method.The antioxidant activity and phenol mass fraction of anthocyanins from perilla leaves were determined,and the main phenols were analyzed by chromatography.[Result ] The optimal extraction conditions of anthocyanins from perilla leaves were solid-liquid ratio of 1 g∶16 mL,ethanol volume fraction of 74%,ultrasonic time …

Immobilization Of Pseudomonas Fluorescens Lipase Onto Chitosan And Chitin-Based Carriers And Evaluation Of Its Hydrolytic Performance, Haoyu Zhong, Hongyu Qin, Jun Zhang, Kuntai Li, Qiuyu Xia, Shucheng Liu

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to construct chitosan and chitin-based carriers with hierarchical porous lamellar structures,systematically evaluate the immobilization effects of these carriers for Pseudomonas fluorescens lipase (PFL) and the performance of the immobilized enzyme in catalyzing the hydrolysis of fish oil.[Method ] Chitin/chitosan were modified via the sol-gel method to prepare the carriers for the binding with free PFL.The enzymatic properties of the immobilized PFL were then evaluated,and then analysed the hydrolysate composition of anchovy oil catalyzed by the immobilized PFL.[Result ] The modified carriers exhibited lamellar structures with abundant free amino groups on the surface,which facilitated covalent immobilization …

Construction And Antibacterial Activity Evaluation Of A Lipopeptide Delivery System, Rong Chen, Mingye Guo, Ge Hou, Yan Chen

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study constructed a stable lipopeptide (LP) delivery system to improve the stability and dispersibility of LP,thereby enhancing their antibacterial efficacy.[Method ] LP particles were constructed with chitosan (CS) and sodium alginate (SA).Assembly property changes were evaluated by means of different construction and single factor experiments.Interactions among CS,LP,and SA were investigated by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR ),and the rheological properties of the system were examined by a rheometer.Antibacterial activity of LP particles was evaluated with Escherichia coli (E.coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus ) as model microorganisms.[Result ] LP particles prepared by dripping CS with the relative molecular mass …

Effects Of Modification Methods On The Processing Properties Of Cyperus Esculentus Powder, Xiaowei Sun, Chunli Song, Jian Ren

Journal of Food Science and Biotechnology

[Objective ] This study aims to explore the effects of three modification methods on the processing properties of Cyperus esculentus powder.[Method ] Three modification methods (superfine grinding,microwave treatment,and enzymatic treatment ) were employed to process Cyperus esculentus powder.The effects of these treatments on the processing properties including oil holding capacity,hydration properties,textural properties,and rheological properties of Cyperus esculentus powder were analyzed.[Result ] In comparison to the native Cyperus esculentus powder,ultrafine grinding treatment increased the specific surface area of the powder,enhanced the oil holding capacity by 74.57%,and significantly increased the loss angle (tan δ).Additionally,this treatment significantly increased the hardness,cohesiveness,and chewiness of the …

The Food Ethics, Sustainability And Alternatives Course: A Mixed Assessment Of University Students’ Readiness For Change, Charles Feldman, Stephanie A. Navarro Silvera

Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Scholarship and Creative Works

Growing interest in food sustainability education aims to increase awareness of food distribution systems, environmental degradation, and the connectivity of sustainable and ethical food practices. However, recent scholarship has questioned whether such pedagogical efforts are meaningfully internalized by students or lead to sustained behavioral change. Prior studies document persistent gaps in students’ understanding of sustainability impacts and the limited effectiveness of existing instructional approaches in promoting transformative engagement. To address these concerns, the Food Ethics, Sustainability and Alternatives (FESA) course was implemented with 21 undergraduate and graduate students at Montclair State University (Montclair, NJ, USA). Course outcomes were evaluated using …

Can I Freeze-Dry That? A Practical Guide To Safe And Effective Freeze-Drying, Victoria Carlile, Morgan Wayment, Jose Brandao

All Current Publications

Freeze-drying can preserve most everyday foods, but not all foods work well. Whether you are preparing for a long trip or are interested in long-term storage, it is important to know which food can be freeze-dried safely and which ones should not be attempted. This knowledge helps ensure food safety, quality, and success. This fact sheet provides information on how freeze-drying works, the risks involved, and which foods can be more challenging to freeze-dry.

Genetic Determinants Associated With Persistence Of Listeria Species And Background Microflora From A Dairy Processing Environment, Vaishali Poswal, Sanjeev Anand, Jose L. Gonzalez-Hernandez, Brian Kraus

Dairy Science and Food Science Faculty Publications: 2022 to Present

Listeria monocytogenes is a persistent foodborne pathogen capable of surviving in food processing environments, often in association with diverse environmental microflora. This study examines genomic determinants of persistence, specifically stress adaptation and biofilm-associated traits, in environmental Listeria species and other environmental microflora from a dairy processing facility by analyzing whole-genome sequences of 6 environmental Listeria isolates, 4 ATCC reference strains, and 22 air and floor swab cultures, annotated using the RAST platform. Subsystem analysis revealed that Listeria isolates carried a defined set of genes linked to biofilm formation, antimicrobial resistance, and stress response, though in lower abundance than environmental cultures. …

South Asians And Renal Disease: Traditional Food Lists For Management Of Chronic Kidney Disease, Ashwini Wagle

Open Educational Resources

The renal food list is a culturally tailored nutrition education tool designed to address the specific dietary needs of the South Asian population. It is an original intellectual work created by Ashwini Wagle, Ed.D., MS, RD, FAND, Chair and Professor, Department of Nutrition, Food Science, and Packaging at San José State University (SJSU).

An earlier version of this tool was published in 2011 with the assistance of graduate student Kalpana Balasubramanian. The development of this renal food list was strengthened by the encouragement and support of the registered dietitian community, whose contributions included verifying the accuracy of the nutritional information …

Effects Of Fermented Soybean Products On The Human Gut Microbiome, Microbial Metabolism, And Host Physiology, Shannon Moncier

Biology Dissertations

Fermented soybean products (FSPs) contain soybean-derived substrates, fermentation-associated microorganisms, and bioactive compounds that may interact with the human gut microbiome and host physiology. However, despite the growing interest in FSPs, longitudinal human studies specifically evaluating traditional Korean-FSPs (K-FSPs), particularly among United States-based populations, remain limited. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of three K-FSPs, including Cheonggukjang, Gochujang, and Doenjang, on host physiological responses, gut microbial community structure, predicted microbial functional potential, and fecal butyrate responses in healthy adults. Three independent dietary intervention cohorts were conducted using FSP formulations produced either by traditional artisan methods (Product A) …

Are Midwest Region Extension Professionals Prepared To Answer Food Safety Questions About Various Meat Products?, Esther Vanoverbeke, Byron D. Chaves

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Forty-eight million consumers in the U.S. get a foodborne illness each year; 128,000 are hospitalized and 3,000 die. Approximately one-third of those illnesses are related to animal-based foods, including meat. With meat-like alternatives being more readily available, it is critical to ensure these foods are handled appropriately to reduce foodborne illnesses. This project evaluated the food safety knowledge of extension professionals related to plant-based products and meat alternatives. A survey was distributed via the North Central Region Extension Center to Extension professionals (N=52). Most respondents, 58%, neither agreed or disagreed that plant-based meats/meat alternatives are microbiologically riskier …

2026 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

The 2026 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report brings together applied research, emerging technologies, and management insights that directly address the evolving challenges and opportunities facing today’s beef industry. This year’s collection includes 36 articles that span the full beef production system, from cow/calf and forage management to feedlot nutrition, animal health, behavior, meat quality, and sustainability, providing science-based guidance grounded in real-world production contexts.

Cow/Calf Nutrition, Reproduction, and Management

This section highlights management strategies that influence reproductive success and long-term herd performance. Articles focus on late-gestation heifer nutrition and practical applications of artificial insemination to support efficient, productive cow/calf systems.

Forage, …

Factors Affecting Diet Selection In Sheep Fed Endophyte-Infected Toxic Fescue, Jordan Thomas, Ronelson Stinfil, Kenneth P. Coffey, Christine C. Nieman, Derico Setyabrata, Shawna Weimer

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

Tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) S.J. Darbyshire) infected with toxin‑producing fungi can induce fescue toxicosis in grazing ruminants, reducing performance and altering forage intake. Chemical compounds in red clover (Trifolium pratense), such as biochanin A, have been proposed to mitigate these effects by improving palatability and blood vessel relaxation. This study examined whether the inclusion of ground red clover (GRC), either alone or in combination with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and polyethylene glycol (PEG), affected voluntary diet selection in lambs offered toxic fescue. Thirty‑three lambs were housed individually and assigned randomly to one of four diets: (1) toxic …

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Modulates Gut Microbiota And Lipid Metabolism To Reduce Diarrhea In Low-Birth-Weight Neonatal Calves, Zhanhe Zhang, Duo You, Donglin Wu, Xintong Li, Yang Jia, David L. Harmon, Ming Xu

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

This study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which colonic fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) improves lipid metabolism in low-birth-weight neonatal calves via modulation of the gut microbial ecosystem. In a completely randomized design, seventy newborn Holstein calves (1 day old, 32.63 ± 3.13 kg BW) were assigned to two groups (35 calves/treatment; 30 females and 5 males per group). A healthy calf was used as a fecal donor. A 10% fecal bacterial suspension was prepared and administered colonically (50 mL, twice daily for 5 days). All calves were fed the same milk replacer and weaned using a step-down protocol at …

Effect Of Melatonin On Alleviating Chilling Injury In Cold-Stored ‘Kensington Pride’ Mangoes: A Comparative Evaluation Of Long Vs Short Dip Time, Mekhala Dinushi Kananke Vithana, Hafiz Muhammad Shoaib Shah, Mahmood Ul Hasan, Zora Singh

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Mangoes (Mangifera indica L.) are notably susceptible to chilling injury (CI) when stored below 13 °C. This temperature threshold is too high for extended storage. Therefore, the influence of postharvest immersion in melatonin (MT) (50, 75, 100 µmol L^{− 1}) for 120 min on CI in ‘Kensington Pride’ mangoes kept at 5 ± 1 °C for 21 or 28 d was investigated. The most effective MT concentration was 75 µmol L^{− 1} causing 36.3% reduction in CI incidence compared to control. To facilitate adoptability in commercial practice, the influence of 120 min vs. 5- and 3-min immersions …

53rd Annual Food Science And Technology Conference, Leonard Koolman, Elena-Alexandra Alexa, Jesus Maria Frias

Books/Book Chapters/ Proceedings

53rd IFSTI Annual Food Science and Technology Conference on 22nd and 23rd of January 2026. Theme is 'Global Food Resilience, its challenges and strategic approaches'.

Not Biological, But Built: Structural And Metabolic Pathways Driving Black Maternal Health Disparities In The United States, Alexandra I. Umegboh

CMC Senior Theses

Black infants in the United States are more than twice as likely to die before their first birthday than white infants, a disparity often attributed to genetics, behavior, or individual health choices. However, this idea is challenged by a key contradiction: African immigrant women consistently experience better birth outcomes than U.S.-born Black women despite being similarly racialized. This thesis investigates the origins of this reproductive advantage and the factors contributing to its decline over time. By drawing on epidemiological data, metabolic health research, and literature on African diasporic healing traditions, it argues that the “healthy immigrant effect” is not biological, …

Application Of High-Pressure Processing Lightens The Color Of Cow Tenderloins, Kara A. Reynolds, Leila G. Venzor, Ashley A. Hahn, Grace C. Johnson, Jordan C. Wicks, Mary-Grace C. Danao, Ranjith Ramanathan, Gary A. Sullivan

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

This study evaluated the impact of high-pressure processing (HPP) on color, oxidative stability, and tenderness of tenderloins (psoas major) from cull cows to determine if HPP could enhance their marketability. Forty cull cow tenderloins were treated at two different HPP pressures and two different holding times, then assessed for instrumental and visual color, lipid oxidation, and Warner-Bratzler shear force during a 7-day stimulated shelf period. HPP increased initial lightness, especially at the highest pressure and longest holding time and improved redness initially. However, redness declined, and discoloration increased over the 7-day period, particularly after processing at higher …

Using High-Pressure Processing To Improve Dark-Cutting Beef Color In Tenderloins, Ashley A. Hahn, Leila G. Venzor, Shelley A. Curry, Grace C. Johnson, Mary-Grace C. Danao, Ranjith Ramanathan, Gary A. Sullivan, Jordan C. Wicks

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Dark-cutting beef is a quality defect that negatively impacts consumer appeal and affects the carcass value for both producers and meat processors. These economic losses stem from poor visual appearance and reduced consumer appeal in the retail setting. Notably, different muscles within a carcass exhibit varying degrees of color stability which can influence how dark-cutting manifests across cuts. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effect of high-pressure processing (HPP) on dark-cutting color-labile muscle. Dark-cutting and normal tenderloins were collected and portioned into two equal sections. Dark-cutting tenderloins were assigned one of 3 treatments: No HPP, 300 …

Defining The Parameters Of High-Pressure Processing To Improve The Quality Of Dark-Cutting Beef, Ashley A. Hahn, Leila G. Venzor, Shelley A. Curry, Grace C. Johnson, Mary-Grace C. Danao, Ranjith Ramanathan, Jordan C. Wicks, Gary A. Sullivan

Nebraska Beef Cattle Reports

Summary with Implications

Dark-cutting beef is a result of preharvest stress and devalues the resulting carcass. High-pressure processing (HPP) has been recently identified as a potential strategy to improve the undesirable appearance of dark-cutting beef. Dark-cutting beef strip loins were collected from a local processing facility, sectioned, and assigned an HPP pressure (300 or 450 MPa) and holding time (0, 1, 30, 60, or 90 s). Overall, HPP increased the lightness and redness of dark-cutting beef, particularly the longer the pressure was held at both pressure levels. Additionally, negative effects such as increased meat discoloration, decreased tenderness, and increased rancidity …

Association Of Serotonin And Ergot Alkaloids On Tissue Partitioning And Contractile Response Of Bovine Blood Vessels, Eriton E. L. Valente, David L. Harmon, John May, Huihua Ji, Ronald J. Trotta, James L. Klotz

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Ergot alkaloids can bind serotonin (5-HT) receptors interfering with many physiological functions. However, the mechanism has not been completely established. The objective was to evaluate whether the association of 5-HT and the ergot alkaloid, ergovaline, in a 24-h pre-incubation can affect vascular tissue partitioning and contractile responses. Cross-sections of saphenous veins from five steers were used. In the tissue partitioning experiment, the treatments were the combination of three levels of ergovaline (2.01 × 10⁻⁸ M, 2.01 × 10⁻⁷ M and 2.01 × 10⁻⁶ M) with three levels of 5-HT and a control (5 × 10⁻⁸ M, …

Quantitative Assessment Of Roasted Coffee Freshness Over Time Using Multi-Parameter Analysis, Maya Fetzer

Honors Theses

Roasted coffee undergoes continuous chemical and physical degradation after roasting, yet industry freshness standards remain empirically defined rather than grounded in measurable parameters. This study developed a multi-parameter framework for quantifying roasted coffee freshness by integrating gas-phase and solid-phase analysis, backed by human sensory evaluation, across three roast levels — light (City+), medium (Full City), and dark (Vienna) — over a four-month storage period. CO2 off-gassing was monitored continuously for 30 day, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) tracked volatile compound changes in headspace gas, and Fourier transform infrared-diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (FTIR-DRIFTS) quantified oxidation-associated functional group changes, and microindentation assessed bean stiffness. …

Surrogate-Based Approaches For Evaluating Post-Harvest Food Safety Interventions In Fresh Produce, Md Shafiul Islam Rion

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Pathogenic bacteria are still a threat to human beings worldwide as their presence is often unknown even if they are already present in fresh produces. This in turn resulted in several outbreaks and recalls across the United States. This dissertation investigated the survival of pathogenic bacteria and their potential non-pathogenic surrogates after antimicrobial interventions in different modes of applications on the surface of cantaloupes, butternut squash, and fresh cilantro. In the first study, peroxyacetic acid (PAA) was applied in three separate doses on nalidixic acid resistant Salmonella Typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Enterococcus faecium, and Listeria innocua inoculated cantaloupe surfaces …

Manuka Honey Modulates Oxidative Stress In Neuro2-A Cells Through Mitochondrial Regulation, Rachel Abramovici

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Manuka honey is known for its vital usage in wound healing, being an agonist towards fighting infections, and is an acting antioxidant [32]. Its main constituents are flavonoids and phenolic compounds, with methyl syringate (MSYR) being a major active ingredient. The specific compounds responsible for these antioxidant effects, particularly in the CNS, remain unclear. It is hypothesized that pre-treatment of mouse neuroblastoma cells with MSYR followed by hydrogen peroxide exposure will activate the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1a pathway, due to MSYR’s phenolic structure, and thus reduce oxidative stress and improve mitochondrial biogenesis. Hydrogen peroxide is a standard reactive oxygen species (ROS) treatment to …

Ultra-Processed Foods And The Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Continuum: Integrating Epidemiological, Multi-Omics, And Translational Evidence, Saiful Singar, Amirhossein Ataei Kachouei, Leandro Lantigua-Somoano, David Manley, Anthony Cardinale, Muhammad Zulfiqah Sadikan, Saurabh Kadyan, Donya Shahamati, Lorena Dias, Amber Wood, Cinthia Chavarria, Sara K. Rosenkranz, Neda S. Akhavan

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome integrates excess adiposity, metabolic dysfunction, kidney impairment, subclinical cardiovascular diseases, and clinical events along a staged continuum that invites unified prevention and treatment. Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are a complex, high-prevalence exposure that may influence risk across CKM stages through nutrient profiles, additives, processing-induced compounds, and packaging-related contaminants. This review synthesizes epidemiologic, mechanistic, and translational evidence with attention to exposure definition and analytic rigor. We summarize NOVA-based UPF operationalization across dietary assessment tools, highlighting misclassification of mixed dishes, brand heterogeneity, and energy under-reporting, and we propose further examination of energy-adjusted models, calibration, and harmonized metrics. Observational studies consistently …

Letter From The Faculty Editor, Beth Kegley

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Featured Faculty Mentor/Student Team, Lauren Rogers, Danielle Reeves

Discovery, The Student Journal of Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

No abstract provided.

Assessing Fisheries Dependence Of Coastal Communities In Managed Mangrove Forests In Latin America, Ariel Alexander Quintanilla Magana

Open Access Dissertations

Fisheries dependency refers to the action of a person, community, or society linking their social, cultural, and economic actions to different ecosystem services (ES) for covering their food system with essential marine species, developing a governance system to conserve these fishing areas, their local ecological knowledge, and guaranteeing food security in the coastal areas. In Latin America, most fishing activities are practiced within three nautical miles of the shoreline, estuaries, lagoons, and mangrove forest channels, using small vessels and traditional gear such as hooks, trammel nets, and gill nets. Some coastal communities have developed their subsistence and livelihood activities in …

Growing South Dakota (Winter 2026), College Of Agriculture, Food And Environmental Sciences

Growing South Dakota (Publication of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences)

[Page] 2 International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists: South Dakota rangelands take center stage
[Page] 4 The professor and the soil
[Page] 8 Range ready: Helping students bridge the gap between conservation and agriculture
[Page] 9 Resilient rangelands: Native Plant Initiative’s role in reviving South Dakota’s prairies
[Page] 10 Jackrabbits lead the charge in bison research and education
[Page] 12 Agricultural and biosystems engineering celebrates century of education
[Page] 16 SDSU Quarter Scale Tractor Club: An impact beyond awards
[Page] 18 Building a legacy of opportunity: Karen D. Stuck Endowment strengthens agricultural communication program at South Dakota State University
[Page] …