Life Sciences Commons^™

Formulation And Analysis Of Physiochemical And Sensory Properties Of Ready-To-Mix Whey Protein Phospholipid Concentrate Beverage, Chris Jaquin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Whey protein phospholipid concentrate (WPPC) is commonly recovered as a coproduct in filtration process whose aim is to obtain whey protein isolate (WPI) from whey protein concentrate (WPC). Whey protein phospholipid concentrate is high in milk fat globule membrane (MFGM), which has been shown in rodent and human studies to have a variety of physiological benefits, including an increase in exercise capacity. Whey protein phospholipid concentrate is currently considered as an underused dairy coproduct, with most of it either being disposed of or used as animal feed. This research consisted of incorporating WPPC in a protein shake–like beverage at a …

Youth Agricultural Engagement And Its Association With Dietary Diversity, Household Food Insecurity, And Nutritional Status In Southwest Nigeria, Sherif Olasoji

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Youth remain underserved in nutrition research, policy, and programming despite being an integral part of the food systems. While the nutrition-sensitive agriculture framework has been established, there is limited evidence demonstrating how youth engagement in agriculture can serve as a pathway to improve nutritional outcomes. The study assessed youth agricultural engagement and its association with household dietary diversity, household food insecurity, and nutritional status in southwest Nigeria.

Using a cross-sectional design, data on socio-demographic characteristics, agricultural engagement, dietary diversity, household food insecurity, body mass index, and skin carotenoids were collected from 143 youth aged 15 to 35 from Ekiti, Osun, …

Analysis Of The Cannabinoid Compositions, Byproducts And Heavy Metals In Unregulated Cannabinoid Products By Hplc-Ms/Icp-Ms, Simone K. Melle

All NMU Master's Theses

The rapid expansion of unregulated hemp-derived products has created a need for analytical methods that characterize both cannabinoid composition and contaminant occurrence. This thesis used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to quantify cannabidiol (CBD), Δ8-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ8-THC), and Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to measure Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Ni, Pb, and Zn in commercial hemp-derived products, laboratory-prepared hemp oils, cultivated hemp tissues, extracted material, and post-harvest soil. Commercial products showed wide cannabinoid variability, with several samples containing more than one target cannabinoid, while laboratory-prepared plant oils showed a more consistent profile dominated by …

The Effect Of Specialty Malt On Dry-Hopping, Alexander Kivela

Master's Theses

Dry-Hopping is a modern and ever-increasing method to add hoppy flavors to beer. This is typically seen in pale ales and India Pale Ales (IPA’s). Most research has investigated the effect of dry-hopping only using pale malt, whereas most breweries used specialty malts to create a malty backbone to their beer.

The objectives of this research were to analyze the impact of specialty malts and their concentration on the efficacy of hop flavor and extraction, determined via gas chromatography and sensory analysis. Gas chromatography analysis was modeled after the ASBC Method Beer-48. Sensory analysis was performed via the 15cm line …

Bridging Animal Production And Human Nutrition: How Production Ecology Shapes The Nutritional Quality Of Terrestrial Animal Foods And Human Omega-3 Status, Joseph Vinod Varre

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The question at the center of this dissertation is simple: does the way food is produced change the quality of the food itself in ways that matter for human health? Across a series of studies on bison meat, eggs, and human dietary intervention, the answer was yes. This work began with a broad look at the modern food system and the nutritional consequences of industrialized diets. In particular, it focused on the growing imbalance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in the Western diet. This balance matters because omega-3 fats support heart, brain, and immune health, and diets high in …

The Effects Of Psychological Stress On Gut Health In Mice Fed Either A Healthy Diet Or The Total Western Diet, David Keenan Thomas Prescott

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The Total Western Diet (TWD), a rodent diet designed to model the typical American dietary pattern, has been shown to worsen inflammation and colitis severity in mice. Psychological stress has also been associated with increased intestinal inflammation, barrier dysfunction, and alterations to the gut microbiome. The goal of this study was to determine whether combining the TWD with psychological stress would further worsen colitis severity and alter the gut microbiome. To investigate this, mice were fed either a healthy control diet or the TWD and exposed to psychological stress using a social disruption stress model. Colitis was induced using established …

Soybean Fermentation Broth Alleviates Indomethacin-Induced Gastric Mucosal Injury, Hsiao-Chi Wang, Yue-Jhu Chen, Hui-Yun Tsai, Jue-Liang Hsu, Yu-Kuo Chen

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Dietary strategies and plant-based fermented foods have attracted increasing interest for supporting gastrointestinal health, particularly under conditions of drug-induced mucosal stress. Soybean fermentation broth (SFB), a fermented soybean-derived product, may possess enhanced nutritional and functional properties through fermentation-associated generation of bioactive peptides and antioxidant metabolites. This study evaluated the gastroprotective effects of SFB in an indomethacin-induced gastric injury model in rats and investigated the underlying mechanisms. Indomethacin markedly induced gastric ulcer formation (16.61 ± 1.38 mm²), whereas SFB pretreatment significantly attenuated ulcer development in a dose-dependent manner, reducing ulcer area to 6.66 ± 0.98, 3.89 ± 0.63, and …

Garambullo (Myrtillocactus Geometrizans) Reduces Cell Viability Via Apoptosis And Inhibits Colony Formation In Ht-29 And Sw480 Colon Cancer Cell Lines., López-Alvarez Guadalupe Soledad, Gutierrez-Silerio Gloria Yareli, García-Solís Pablo, Morales-Bárcenas Rocio, Sánchez-Pérez Yesennia, Hernández-Puga Ana Gabriela, Vergara-Castañeda Haydé Azeneth

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Garambullo (Myrtillocactus geometrizans) is a Mexican fruit rich in bioactive phytochemicals. Its fermented extract (FEG), obtained after in vitro gastrointestinal digestion and fermentation, was evaluated in HT-29 and SW480 colorectal cancer cells. FEG reduced cell viability (IC50: 2985 and 3200 μg/mL, respectively) and induced apoptosis and necrosis. In 3D assays, FEG inhibited colony formation, with complete suppression in HT-29 cells. Molecular docking further suggested that butyric acid identified in FEG interacts with Caspase-3 and RIPK1. These findings support the antiproliferative and pro-death effects of FEG in colorectal cancer models.

Gut Microbiota-Mediated Modulation Of Circadian Rhythms: Physiological And Molecular Impacts Of Dietary Composition And Feeding Time, Yen-Chun Koh, Chun-Che Chang, Min-Hsiung Pan

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Circadian rhythms regulate fundamental aspects of physiology and behavior. The disruption of circadian rhythms has been associated with metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and impaired immune function. Feeding behavior and gut microbiota represent two essential nodes within this regulatory network, as both are highly responsive to environmental cues such as diet composition and sleep-wake cycles. Research has shown that high-fat diets, excessive fructose, and chronic alcohol consumption perturb peripheral circadian rhythms and impair metabolic pathways, contributing to obesity and insulin resistance. Conversely, dietary interventions such as time-restricted feeding and macronutrient-specific entrainment can restore rhythmic gene expression and prevent metabolic pathologies. …

Benefits And Risks Of Consuming Cannabis Sativa L. In Food, Ewa Matyjaszczyk, Maria Śmiechowska

Journal of Food and Drug Analysis

Cannabis sativa L. or hemp is a cosmopolitan, multi-purpose plant and area of its cultivation has been growing in recent years. Its public perception is influenced by potential to produce narcotic substances. However, hemp seed can be a valuable source of nutrients for humans and may be of particular interest in more sustainable food consumption patterns, including vegetarian and flexitarian diets.

The paper presents benefits and risks of hemp seeds in case of their consumption in food. Low cannabinoids varieties are considered only. The biological activity of cannabinoids and related effects are considered out of scope of the study.

Nutritional …

Bridging The Gap In Science Research: Preparing Students For College- Level Research In The Sciences, Victoria Helwig, Yaoguang Li

UConn Library Presentations

Many first-year students enter college unprepared to fully engage with scientific literature and academic library resources. Drawing on experiences from academic librarians working with STEM students, this session explores common gaps in science research skills, including navigating databases, identifying scholarly sources, and understanding the structure of scientific literature. Participants will be introduced to practical strategies and classroom-ready activities to better prepare students for college-level research. Discussion questions: What science research skills do students struggle with most when entering college? How can high school instruction better support these skills? Where can librarians and educators collaborate to support student success?

Analysis Of Inorganic Element Content And Health Risk Assessment Of Ranunculi Ternati Radix From Different Origins, Li Juan, Geng Xiaotong, Yao Weijie, Zhou Tao, Bi Jingjing

Food and Machinery

[Objective] The variations in inorganic element content and the safety of heavy metals and harmful elements in Ranunculi ternati radix from different origins were investigated. [Methods] The quantitative analysis of 24 elements in the samples was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Health risk assessment was conducted using estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and carcinogenic risk (CR). Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were used for origin identification analysis and differential element screening. [Results] All 25 Ranunculi ternati radix samples from different origins contain abundant macronutrients (K, Na, Ca, and Mg) …

Effects Of Various Extraction Methods On The Performance Of Corn Fiber Gum-Pea Protein Composite Gels, Wu Chenglong, Jiang Zhili, Huang Lilin, Tang Leiming, Sun Xiaohong

Food and Machinery

[Objective] This study aims to investigate the effects of three extraction methods - alkaline extraction, enzymatic extraction, and acid extraction - on the properties of corn fiber gum (CFG)-pea protein composite gels. [Methods] CFG was extracted from corn bran using the three methods. The gel strength, water-holding capacity, rheological properties, and microstructure of the CFG-pea protein composite gels are evaluated. [Results] The CFG extracted by enzymatic extraction increases the gel strength of pea protein gels from (27.20±2.45) g to (65.80±2.67) g, and the water-holding capacity from (40.60±3.40)% to (75.80±5.10)%. Additionally, it forms a more compact and ordered network structure with …

Effects Of Extraction Methods On The Composition And Physicochemical Properties Of Flavonoids From Lycium Barbarum Leaves, Li Juanxia, Li Jianxin, Gao Jianying, Mai Wenting, Fan Yanli, Ma Jinchao, Meng Xuemei

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To investigate the effects of different extraction methods on the efficacy, chemical composition, and functional group characteristics of flavonoids in Lycium barbarum leaves. [Methods] This study comparatively analyzes the effects of three methods - ultrasound-assisted ethanol extraction (UAE), microwave-assisted ethanol extraction (MAE), and aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) - on the yield, composition, and in vitro antioxidant activity of flavonoids from L. barbarum leaves. [Results] UAE and MAE achieve the highest yield of flavonoids from dried L. barbarum leaves. The main components are rutin, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, and kaempferol. The antioxidant capacity of the flavonoid extract from dried L. barbarum …

Heat Transfer Analysis And Packaging Optimization Design Of Self-Heating Rice, Sun Haowen, Li Huan, Wu Xiaomeng, Mao Like

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To further understand the influence of the heat transfer process on the quality of self-heating foods and improve the heating rate of existing self-heating rice products. [Methods] A combination of virtual simulation and experimental methods was used to analyze the actual temperature variations during the heating process of self-heating rice and the effects of heat transfer on rice texture. A three-dimensional heat transfer model of self-heating rice was established using COMSOL software to investigate the heat transfer process, and the packaging design of self-heating rice was optimized with the objective of maximizing the heating rate. [Results] After reheating and …

Dynamic Evolution Law Of Volatile Flavor Components During The Aging Process Of Sauce-Flavored Baijiu, Dai Jiahui, Wang Yanan, Kang Xiaoning, Dai Wenting, Wang Shiping

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To investigate the aroma changes of sauce-flavored Baijiu during different aging periods, and to provide a theoretical basis for Baijiu aroma analysis and modern processing technology research. [Methods] Electronic nose, gas chromatography -mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) were employed. Sauce-flavored Baijiu with different aging times (original liquor, 1-year aged, and 5-year aged) was used as the research objects. Combined with multivariate statistical methods, including principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS -DA), the differences in volatile flavor compounds of Baijiu with different aging times were analyzed. [Results] A total of 1 …

Effect Of Cultivation Methods On Volatile Components In Morchella Esculenta, Liu Ni, Jiang Bo, Li Lang

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To comprehensively reveal the flavor and quality characteristics, and differences of Morchella esculenta under different cultivation methods, and systematically evaluate their volatile aroma components. [Methods] Qualitative and quantitative analyses are conducted on volatile aroma components in M. esculenta cultivated in greenhouses, under forests, and in caves in the vicinity of FAST by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques. The contribution of different components to the overall flavor is assessed by the relative odor activity value (ROAV) method. Based on this, principal component analysis and cluster analysis are conducted, achieving a comprehensive evaluation of the flavor …

Microwave-Assisted Enzymatic Hydrolysis Of Tibetan Sheep Blood Protein And Analysis Of Product Characteristics, Yu Xilu, Gu Xuedong, Chen Yujin, Zhang Hongxin, Ciren Danzhu

Food and Machinery

[Objective] This study aims to utilize fresh Tibetan sheep blood as raw material, investigate the enhancing effect of microwave-assisted technology on enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency, and achieve high-value utilization of Tibetan sheep blood. [Methods] A microwave-assisted trypsin hydrolysis method is employed to enzymatically hydrolyze the proteins. The optimal hydrolysis conditions are established through single-factor experiments and response surface methodology. The resulting hydrolysates are characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and a fully automated amino acid analyzer. [Results] The optimal hydrolysis conditions are determined as follows: microwave temperature of 40 ℃, microwave time of 50 min, enzymatic hydrolysis time of 240 min, …

Rapid Detection Of Viable Salmonella Based On Specific Phage Infection Combined With Fluorescent Rpa, Liu Daofeng, Zhai Yujie, Tan Yucheng, Shan Shan, Lu Jun, Zhong Ziqing

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To establish a rapid detection method for viable Salmonella based on specific phage infection and recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) in response to the key challenge that traditional molecular biological detection methods have difficulty in conveniently distinguishing between viable and non-viable foodborne pathogens. [Methods] Taking advantage of the characteristic that O-1 phage only proliferates in viable bacteria, the phage is added to the enriched sample. After further incubation, total DNA is extracted. Fluorescent RPA is used to determine whether the phage has significantly proliferated, so as to judge the presence of viable Salmonella in the original sample. [Results] After optimization, …

Establishment Of An Indirect Competitive Elisa For Sulfadimethoxine, Han Lu, Huang Mingyue, Yu Xiang, Li Sijia, Cao Jinbo, Wang Yao, Kang Huaibin

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To establish an indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ic-ELISA) for the detection of sulfadimethoxine (SDM) in animal-derived foods. [Methods] An artificial antigen is synthesized by conjugating SDM with carrier proteins by the diazotization method. A highly sensitive antibody against SDM is prepared by immunizing animals. Based on this, an ic-ELISA is established and the detection system is optimized. Its detection performance is characterized, and spiked recovery tests are carried out. [Results] When the concentration of the coating antigen is 0.500 μg/mL, the dilution ratio of the horseradish peroxidase-labeled goat anti-rabbit secondary antibody is 1:5000, the reaction time of the …

Authenticity Identification Of Camellia Seed Oil Based On Gas Chromatography And Chemometrics, Li Jingyan, Li Qin, Han Bo, Zhang Ruixue

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To establish a method for authenticity identification of camellia seed oil. [Methods] The fatty acid composition of camellia seed oil and six common vegetable oils are determined by gas chromatography. Principal component analysis (PCA) is employed to explore the distribution patterns of fatty acids among the vegetable oils and to screen for potentially adulterated oils. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) is applied to establish a model between fatty acid profiles and actual adulterated oils. Finally, multiple stepwise linear regression analysis is used to establish quantitative analysis models for adulteration in camellia seed oil. [Results] Among the six common …

Migration Volume Determination And Migration Patterns Of 11 Antioxidants From Degradable Polylactic Acid Straws, Luo Minting, Wu Zhihang, Hu Tengxin, Xu Qingpeng

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To establish a method for authenticity identification of camellia seed oil. [Methods] The fatty acid composition of camellia seed oil and six common vegetable oils are determined by gas chromatography. Principal component analysis (PCA) is employed to explore the distribution patterns of fatty acids among the vegetable oils and to screen for potentially adulterated oils. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) is applied to establish a model between fatty acid profiles and actual adulterated oils. Finally, multiple stepwise linear regression analysis is used to establish quantitative analysis models for adulteration in camellia seed oil. [Results] Among the six common …

Determination Of Five Fluorescent Whitening Agents In Prepared Dishes By Gel Permeation Chromatography-High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Li Bingbing, Wang Chunlei, Huang Zhenzhen, Dai Li, Wang Kun

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To establish a method for the determination of five fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) in prepared dishes using gel permeation chromatography combined with high-performance liquid chromatography (GPC-HPLC). [Methods] The prepared dish samples were homogenized, ultrasonically extracted with acetonitrile, purified and reconstituted by GPC, then filtered before being analyzed by HPLC. The separation was performed on a Waters Symnetry Shield PR-C18 column (4.6 mm ×250 mm, 5.0 µm) using acetonitrile and water as the mobile phase with gradient elution. [Results] The five FWAs in the prepared dishes showed good linearity within the range of 2~500 µg/L, with correlation coefficients greater than …

Determination Of Migration Level Of 4-Methyl- 1-Pentene And 1-Decene From Food Contact Materials Using Headspace-Gas Chromatography, Liu Afang, Chen Ranbing, Li Zheng, Kang Feng, Zhao Jinyao

Food and Machinery

[Objective] This study aims to establish an analytical method for detecting the migration levels of 4-methyl-1-pentene and 1-decene monomers from food contact materials into four food simulants, including 4% acetic acid, 10% ethanol, 20% ethanol, and 50% ethanol. [Methods] Chromatographic columns of different polarities and specifications are compared to select the optimal column. The headspace equilibrium temperature and equilibrium time are optimized using peak area as the evaluation index. Methodological validation is performed by conducting recovery experiments at low, medium, and high spiking levels using the soaking solutions of the negative sample of the four food simulants as the matrix, …

A Surface Defect Detection Model For Fused Images Of Fruits Based On Improved Resnet 18, Si Haiping, Zhao Wenrui, Zhao Yuyang, Li Tingting, Fernado Bacao, Li Yanling

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To enhance the accuracy of detecting fruit surface defects caused by minor mechanical friction during transportation. [Methods] A surface defect detection model for fused images of fruits based on improved ResNet 18 is proposed. To address the challenge of multi-scale feature extraction, the model incorporates a MELA module designed to capture image details more comprehensively. Additionally, an energy function-based regularization loss function is introduced to collaboratively optimize the training process alongside the cross-entropy loss function. Furthermore, a transfer learning strategy is employed to mitigate overfitting. [Results] Experimental results demonstrated that the improved model exhibits exceptional performance in fruit surface …

Non-Destructive Detection Of Pork Loin Freshness Based On The Yolo V 11 Model, Deng Zhonghui, Xie Wei

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To develop an intelligent method for non-destructive recognition of pork loin freshness based on computer vision technology, which is to be achieved by establishing a classification model for accurate, fast, and non-destructive detection of pork freshness in the cold chain industry. [Methods] A classification detection model is proposed based on the YOLO v11 architecture. First, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) content and pH values are measured before the meat samples are divided into three categories: "fresh", "less fresh", and "spoiled". A dataset of 4 680 high-resolution images is constructed (generated from 1 247 original images enhanced through operations such …

Application Of Slow-Release Plant Essential Oil Preservative Combined With Electron Beam Irradiation In The Preservation Of Shanghai Sand Pears (Pyrus Pyrifolia Nakai ), Yue Ling, Lei Lei, Kong Qiulian, Zheng Qi, Yan Weiqiang

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To investigate the regulatory effects of a composite preservation technology combining slow-release plant essential oil (SPEO) with electron beam irradiation on the storage quality and physiological metabolism of Shanghai sand pears (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai). [Methods] The fruits of Shanghai sand pear variety 'Cuiguan' are used as test materials. The experiment is conducted with four groups: control, 0.5 kGy electron beam irradiation, SPEO, and 0.5 kGy electron beam irradiation + SPEO. During storage, quality parameters including fruit firmness, weight loss rate, total soluble solids (TSS) content, titratable acid content, and vitamin C (VC) content, as well as physiological metabolism indicators …

Shrimp Freshness Indicator Film Based On Grape Seed Proanthocyanidin/Curcumin, Li Wenjing, Wang Hui, He Mingxing

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To develop a shrimp freshness indicator film with good amine responsiveness and stability for the rapid and non-destructive detection of shrimp quality changes. [Methods] Using sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and starch as film-forming substrates, indicator films were prepared with grape seed proanthocyanidins, curcumin, and their mixtures as indicators. The responses of the three indicator films to aqueous solution pH and trimethylamine were compared. The detection sensitivity and storage stability of the mixed indicator film were further evaluated. The indicator film was then applied to monitor the freshness of Litopenaeus vannamei, and the correlation and kinetics between total volatile basic nitrogen …

Effect Of Lotus Leaf Powder Addition On Whole Wheat Dough Characteristics And Whole Wheat Bread Quality, Chen Rui, Gong Lingxiao

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To determine the optimum addition of lotus leaf powder in whole wheat flour, thus improving the nutritional value of whole wheat bread while maintaining high quality. [Methods] Rapid viscosity analyzer, rheometer, and texture analyzer are employed to explore the pasting properties of the composite flour, the rheological characteristics of the dough, and the texture properties of the bread. Additionally, the effect of lotus leaf powder on the quality of whole wheat bread is evaluated using a colorimeter, sensory evaluation, and in vitro digestion evaluation. [Results] The analysis reveals that as the lotus leaf powder addition is increased, a significant …

Effect Of Brewing Methods On Colloidal Particle Properties And Antioxidant Characteristics Of Coffee, Gao Guanzhen, Rao Pingfan, Han Cheng, Wang Huiqin, Shan Yunhui

Food and Machinery

[Objective] To investigate the effects of three typical brewing methods - hand drip, French press, and Turkish coffee - on the chemical composition, colloidal structure, and antioxidant activity of coffee, and to elucidate the mechanism of colloidal particles in the delivery of bioactive compounds. [Methods] Three types of coffee samples are prepared using the respective brewing methods. Their physicochemical components are determined and colloidal properties are characterized. The true solution phase and colloidal phase are separated by ultrafiltration, and their in vitro chemical and intracellular antioxidant activities are comparatively evaluated. [Results] Turkish coffee exhibits the highest extraction yield, but thermal …