Food Science Commons^™

Can Antioxidant-Rich Berries Improve Risk Factors Associated With Cardiovascular Disease In Postmenopausal Smokers?, Jordan Alaine Teeple

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of smoking on risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and determine the efficacy of antioxidant-rich berries in ameliorating these risk factors in postmenopausal smokers. Menopause and cigarette smoking have been identified as major risk factors for CVD due to a decrease in antioxidant protection, increase in inflammation and oxidative stress, and adverse changes in serum lipids. Antioxidants, specifically flavonoid compounds found in blackberries and blueberries, have been shown to prevent low-density lipoprotein cholesterol oxidation and thus prevent downstream inflammation and oxidative stress. Healthy, postmenopausal nonsmokers (n=14) and smokers (n=31) …

Maternal Smoking During Pregnancy And Risk Factors For Cardiovascular Disease In Adulthood, Bernardo Lessa Horta, Denise P. Gigante, Aydin Nazmi, Vera Maria F. Silveira, Isabel Oliveira, Cesar G. Victora

Food Science and Nutrition

Objective: This study was aimed at assessing the effect of maternal smoking during pregnancy on metabolic cardiovascular risk factors in early adulthood in a Brazilian birth cohort, after controlling for possible confounding variables and health behaviors in early adulthood.

Methods: In 1982, the maternity hospitals in Pelotas, southern Brazil, were visited and all births were identified. Those livebirths whose family lived in the urban area of the city were studied prospectively. In 2004–2005, we attempted to follow the whole cohort, the subjects were interviewed, examined and blood sample was collected. The following outcomes were studied: blood pressure; HDL cholesterol; triglycerides; …

Maternal, Neonatal And Feeding Type Factors Associated With Severity Of Necrotizing Enterocolitis, Cheryl Ann Miner

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: To identify statistical associations with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) severity as dichotomized into cases with Bell stage II and III disease.
Study Design: We conducted a retrospective study using eight consecutive years of data from a multihospital healthcare system analyzed NEC severity (Bell stage II vs. III).
Results: We identified 220 neonates with stage ≥ II who had 225 separate episodes of NEC (157 stage II and 68 stage III). Those with stage III were born at earlier gestational age (P<0.0001) and lower birth weight (P<0.0001). Diagnosis of NEC occurred on about the same day of life in stage II and stage III cases. Those who developed stage III had significantly higher C-reactive protein (P<0.0001), I/T ratio (P= 0.0005), mean platelet volume (MPV) (P= 0.0001) and lower pH (P<0.0001) and platelet counts (P<0.0001). Transfusions were more common to those who progressed to stage III (P<0.0001). Regression analysis indicated higher odds of stage III in relationship to the volume of RBC transfusions (OR 2.41, {CI 1.85 to 3.11}, P<0.0001) and pasteurized human milk (PHM) (OR 1.32, {CI 1.07 to 1.62}, P = 0.0089). In contrast, feeding early mother's own milk (colostrum) for five days reduced the odds for stage III (OR 0.802, {CI 0.67 to 0.96}, P=0.0170). Those with small bowel resection were less likely to have received mother's own milk before NEC (OR 0.94, {CI 0.89 to 0.99}, P = 0.019) and factors predicting death from NEC were a low pH (OR 2.21, {CI 1.27 to 3.85}, P = 0.0005) and less colostrum (OR 0.96, {CI 0.94 to 0.99}, P = 0.003).
Conclusions: RBC transfusions and PHM increased the odds for stage III NEC, whereas early mother's own milk five days …

Nutrition Risk Factors Among Home Delivered And Congregate Meal Participants: Need For Enhancement Of Nutrition Education And Counseling Among Home Delivered Meal Participants, Shahla Wunderlich, Yeon Bai, J. Piemonte

Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Scholarship and Creative Works

Objective: The short-term impact of nutrition education and counseling intervention on nutrition risk factors among home delivered (HDM) and congregate (CGM) meal participants using Nutrition Survey Risk Screening was studied. Design: A two-year intervention was conducted with 355 participants (n=259 CGM, n=96 HDM). Various nutrition behaviors that affect the nutrition risk score were compared. Setting: Congregate and home delivered meal locations in a northern county of New Jersey. Participants: CGM and HDM participants in a northern county of New Jersey age 60 and older. Intervention: CGM participants received regular topical nutrition education and counseling in a classroom format with cooking …

Flax Facts, Carolyn Washburn

All Current Publications

This fact sheet provides nutritional, safety, storage, and health information on flax.

Cranberries, Melanie Jewkes

All Current Publications

Cranberries can be an easy way to add variety to meals and snacks. Learn how to use fresh cranberries and other ways to incorporate the nutritional benefits of cranberries into your diet.

Effect Of Tannin Additions Postfermentation With Gelatin Remediation In Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon, Briana Heywood, Geraldine S.P. Ritchie

Food Science and Nutrition

The resultant color of a Cabernet Sauvignon wine connotes overall quality. Therefore, it is in the best interests of a winery to produce a well-balanced wine, containing the deepest color possible, using the least amount of additives. This experiment studied the effects of adding ColorPro, VRSupra, and Gelatin Extra No.1 to Cabernet Sauvignon fruit from Paso Robles to determine if anthocyanin and tannin levels changed with respect to the aforementioned supplements. To increase color and tannin extraction, ColorPro was added to the grape must prior to fermentation. A tannin powder, VRSupra, was added later in the winemaking process to reduce …

Executive Summary, Cumberland County Foodshed Assessment, Report 1, Barbara Ives

Local Food Systems

Like everyone else in these troubled economic times, Mainers are looking for ways to create jobs that will remain relevant and vital in a global economy, that cannot be outsourced, and that will regenerate rather than exploit our natural resources.

A growing number of people believe that a food system rooted in local farms, fisheries, and food production and distribution enterprises can strengthen Maine’s economy and its communities’ health, thereby increasing revenue and decreasing an expense that is crippling government agencies and individuals alike – healthcare. Business people who want to make a living related to food, and public and …

A Sensory-Based Multi-Component School-Based Nutrition Intervention Among Fifth-Grade Students, Stacy Lyn Bevan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The nutritional status of children is declining as evidenced by the steady rise in childhood obesity rates over the last three decades. Consuming five servings of fruit and vegetables (FV) daily has shown to help with weight maintenance, but children are consuming far less than the recommended servings. This study was designed to test the efficacy of a sensory-focused multi-component school-based program at increasing vegetable intake among fifth-graders. Classroom, family, and community components allowed children to explore thirteen target vegetables with their senses including taste. Vegetable consumption was measured by digitalized observations of lunchtime vegetable selection and consumption. Vegetable acceptance …

Emerging Dynamics Of Human Campylobacteriosis In Southern Ireland, Susan Bullman, Daniel Corcoran, James O'Leary, Derry O'Hare, Brigid Lucey, Roy D. Sleator

Department of Biological Sciences Publications

Infections with Campylobacter spp. pose a significant health burden worldwide. The significance of Campylobacter jejuni/Campylobacter coli infection is well appreciated but the contribution of non-C. jejuni/C. coli spp. to human gastroenteritis is largely unknown. In this study, we employed a two-tiered molecular study on 7194 patient faecal samples received by the Microbiology Department in Cork University Hospital during 2009. The first step, using EntericBio® (Serosep), a multiplex PCR system, detected Campylobacter to the genus level. The second step, utilizing Campylobacter species-specific PCR identified to the species level. A total of 340 samples were confirmed as Campylobacter genus positive, 329 of …

Cantaloupe, Susan Haws

All Current Publications

This publication is a guide to eating, selecting, cooking, and storing cantaloupe melons.

Mushrooms, Susan Haws

All Current Publications

This publication is a guide to eating, selecting, cooking, and storing mushrooms.

Lemons, Susan Haws

All Current Publications

This publication is a guide to eating, selecting, cooking, and storing lemons.

Winter Squash, Susan Haws

All Current Publications

This publication is a guide to eating, selecting, cooking, and storing winter squash.

The Effect Of Processing Parameters And Methylcellulose On Texture And Consumer Acceptability Of A Non-Melting Dairy Protein Gel, Joshua Goldman

Master's Theses

The overall goal was to understand the capabilities of a dairy based meat alternative.  This was done in three phases: 1) the production of a dairy protein gel as a base for a dairy based meat alternative, 2) texturization of the dairy protein gel base to produce a nugget like texture, and 3) a consumer test to determine the acceptability of the dairy based nugget compared to meat and meat alternatives on the market.

For phase I, a dairy protein gel base was tested to understand the textural attributes.  Milk to whey percentages and level of acidification were examined to …

Point-Of-Purchase Nutrition Information Influences Food-Purchasing Behaviors Of College Students: A Pilot Study, Marjorie Freedman, Rachel Conners

Faculty Publications

The goal of point-of-purchase (POP) nutrition information is to help consumers make informed, healthful choices. Despite limited evaluation, these population-based approaches are being advocated to replace traditional, more expensive, individual behavior-change strategies. Few studies have examined the effect of POP information on buying patterns of college students, a group with high obesity rates and poor eating habits. This quasi-experimental pilot project sought to determine whether the “Eat Smart” POP program affected food-purchasing habits of multiethnic college students shopping at an on-campus convenience store. Baseline sales data of foods in the cereal, soup, cracker, and bread categories were collected for 6 …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of The Utah County Fit Wic Program, Elizabeth R. Nixon

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Childhood overweight and obesity is a growing problem across America. Public health interventions are needed to help address this problem. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes of the Utah County Fit WIC Program – which was initiated to address the needs of children who are overweight or at-risk of overweight based on Body Mass Index (BMI)-for-age.

Data was collected over the course of one year to examine associations between discussion of child’s weight and goal setting with parent(s)/caregiver(s) and changes in participants’ (n=167) BMI-for-age. The mean BMI-for-age decreased for participants studied across a one …

Microbiological, Thermal Inactivation, And Sensory Characteristics Of Beef Eye-Of-Round Subprimals And Steaks Processed With High-Pressure Needleless Injection, Laura Kahealani Jefferies

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

High-pressure needleless injection (HPNI) is a process where small-diameter, high-velocity burst of liquid, penetrate foods at pressures ≤ 10,000 psi. The potential of HPNI as an enhancing technique for meat was studied. In study 1, HPNI translocated surface E. coli O157 into the interior of beef eye-of-round subprimals with an incidence of 40 (±7), 25 (±8), and 25 (±8)% for meat that had been surface-inoculated with a four-strain cocktail at 0.5, 1, and 2 log₁₀ CFU/cm², respectively. Run-off water contained 2, 2, and 3 log₁₀ CFU/ml and was used for HPNI of additional subprimals, which resulted …

The Ability Of Households In Southeast Louisiana Eligible For The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program To Meet The Food Recommendations Of The 2010 Dietary Guidelines For Americans, Alicia Rodriguez

Honors Capstones

No abstract provided.

Green Tea Aids In Overall Health, Noelle Norman

Undergraduate Research Conference

Green tea is highly effective in aiding in overall health if consumed on a daily basis and can reduce incidence of cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. The primary compounds found in green tea are polyphenols which include catechins, epicatechin(EC), epigallocatechin(EGC), epicatechingallate(ECG), andepigallocatechingallate(EGCG). Five research studies were analyzed to verify the validity of the hypothesis that green consumption is beneficial in overall health. In these studies, green tea was found to aid in weight loss with those who consumed green tea regularly, as well as having effects on thermogenesis and fat oxidation to control wait …

Estimation Of The Number Of Days Required To Determine Usual Antioxidant Intakes And Assessment Of The Prevalence Of Nutrient Inadequacy Among College Students, Catherine G. Davis

Master's Theses

High intake of antioxidant rich foods has been shown to decrease risk factors of chronic disease.  Young adulthood may be crucial in establishing healthy lifestyles including adequate nutrient consumption.

The present study was designed 1) to estimate usual nutrient intakes, 2) to calculate the number of days required to estimate usual antioxidant intake, and 3) to assess intake adequacy from diet and diet + supplement sources by using the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR).  The USDA Flavonoid and Proanthocyanidin databases, food consumption data, and dietary supplement use data from 60 students aged 18-25 years at the University of Connecticut were utilized. …

Heat Induced Cis/Trans Isomerization In Vegetable Oils And Oleic Acid, John Harwood Scott, Sarah E.G. Porter

Theses & Honors Papers

With the FDA mandating that all foodstuff labels list the amount of trans fates within their product, it becomes necessary to have a rapid and reproducible method for quantifying trans content within foods. Research has led to the advent of an analytical method that utilizes attenuated total reflectance with a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer to quantitatively measure trans fat in foodstuffs. The method is possible because of an infrared absorbance band at 966 cm that is unique to nutritional trans fats. This research used the aforementioned method to quantify trans fat content in common cooking vegetable oils. Before analysis , …

Limes, Melanie Jewkes

All Current Publications

Limes are a great citrus fruit that adds a zest to many meals. Learn how to select, use, and cook with limes

White Potatoes, Including French Fries, Contribute Shortfall Nutrients To Children's And Adolescents' Diets, Marjorie Freedman, Debra Keast

Faculty Publications

To test the hypothesis that white potatoes (WP), oven-baked fries (OBF), and french fries (FF) contribute important nutrients within energy needs to children's and adolescents' diets, secondary analysis of 24-hour dietary recall data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003-2006 was conducted. Potato content of survey foods was determined using US Department of Agriculture recipe databases (Standard Reference (SR)-Link files). Nutrient content of potatoes was determined by linking SR codes to US Department of Agriculture food composition data. Daily nutrient intakes from potatoes were determined by applying the composition database to respondent's recall data. Sample-weighted data were analyzed; …

Potatoes, Melanie Jewkes

All Current Publications

Potatoes are a wonderful staple food that are versatile and store well. Learn how to select, cook, prepare, and store potatoes.

Spinach, Melanie Jewkes

All Current Publications

Spinach is a super food that can be grown or purchased fairly inexpensively. Learn how to select, prepare, and store spinach.

Tomatoes, Carolyn Washburn

All Current Publications

This publication is part of the Food Sense Guide to Eating Fresh Fruits and Vegetables and includes information on selecting, preparing, cooking, and storing tomatoes.

Apricots, Ellen Serfustini

All Current Publications

This publication is part of the Food Sense Guide to Eating Fresh Fruits and Vegetables and includes information on selecting, cleaning, preparing, eating, and canning apricots.

Sweet Potatoes, Carolyn Washburn

All Current Publications

This publication is part of the Food Sense Guide to Eating Fresh Fruits and Vegetables and includes information on selecting, preparing, cooking, and storing sweet potatoes.

Soup Or Sauce (Sos) Mix, Ellen Serfustini, Debra Proctor

All Current Publications

This publication provides recipe and uses for Soup or Sauce Mix.