Food Science Commons^™

Assessing The Quantification Of Soy Protein In Incurred Matrices Using Targeted Lc-Ms/Ms, Jenna Krager

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Soy-derived ingredients are commonly added as auxiliary components to a diverse range of food products. The versatile end-applications of commercially processed soy ingredients is concerning for the safety of allergic consumers. Immunological detection of soy proteins in food matrices has some drawbacks, including loss of epitope binding and matrix masking. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess naturally incurred matrices with an existing liquid-chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) workflow to determine the recovery of total soy protein.

The existing LC-MS/MS workflow was time intensive. The peptide responses of five soy protein targets were compared between two dilution methods …

Determinants Of Gluten-Free Diet Adoption Among Individuals Without Celiac Disease Or Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity, Kristina Arslain, Christopher Gustafson, Pratiksha Baishya, Devin Rose

Department of Agricultural Economics: Faculty Publications

Objectives: Gluten free (GF) foods are typically less nutritious and more expensive than their gluten-containing variants, yet people without a diagnosed gluten sensitivity continue to adopt this diet. There is a lack of research about what factors drive people without Celiac disease or non-Celiac gluten sensitivity to follow the GF diet. Methods: A nationally representative sample of 2982 US residents without a diagnosed gluten sensitivity were surveyed about their attitudes, perceptions, and experiences with the GF diet. Logistic regression was used to compare respondents who were currently avoiding or had avoided gluten previously (GF consumer) to respondents who had never …

Life Cycle Assessment Of The Us Beef Processing Through Integrated Hybrid Approach, Shaobin Li, Yuwei Qin, Jeyamkondan Subbiah, Bruce Dvorak

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

Hybrid life cycle assessment (LCA) incorporating process-based and economic input-output (EIO)–based inventory data has been applied in various industries (e.g., wind energy, biofuel). Few hybrid LCA studies have been found in the food industry. This work analyzes the life cycle environmental impacts of the US beef processing industry using process-based and integrated hybrid LCA. The process-based inventory includes all resource inputs and waste outputs associated with a beef processing plant. The EIO-based inventory includes key activities missing in the process-based inventory, such as technical and management service, wood and paper, and industrial equipment. Ten environmental impact categories from TRACI v2.1 …

Detection Of Food Proteins In Human Serum Using Mass Spectrometry Methods, Abigail S. Burrows

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Allergenic peanut proteins are highly resistant to digestion and are detectable by immunoassays after gastrointestinal digestion. The application of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) methods for in vivo detection of peptides originating from allergenic food proteins has not been thoroughly studied. The aim of this work was to develop an in vivo detection method for peanut proteins in serum using LC-MS/MS. The method(s) were validated by analyzing subject serum collected after peanut consumption.

Three de-complexation strategies were evaluated including (1) MS acquisition settings (i.e. inclusion, exclusion lists), (2) commercial depletion kits, and (3) organic solvent fractionation by discovery LC-MS/MS. Overall, …

Consumer Attitudes, Knowledge, And Behavior: Understanding Gluten Avoidance And Point-Of-Decision Prompts To Increase Fiber Consumption, Kristina Arslain

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Understanding consumer food behavior is important for creating effective health programs and policies that address obesity. In this thesis, two topics of consumer food behavior are explored: understanding gluten avoidance and the use of point-of-decision prompts (PDP) to increase the purchase of healthier food choices. In this first topic, nationally representative data was collected on people’s gluten-free (GF) experience and perceptions. It was found that people were more likely to avoid gluten if they believed the (GF) diet was healthier than a gluten-containing diet and if they were recommended to try the diet. The second topic studies the influence of …

Improving Microbiological Safety Of Low Moisture Food Products Using Radio Frequency And Ethylene Oxide, Long Chen

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Recent foodborne illness outbreaks in US associated with consumption of low-moisture foods (LMF) have heightened concerns of their microbial safety. Salmonella is a pathogen of major concern in LMF due to its ability to persist in low water activity (a_w) environments. The disadvantages of existing decontamination technologies for LMF call for novel and efficient intervention technologies. Radio frequency (RF) and ethylene oxide (EtO) were evaluated in this dissertation for improving microbial food safety and quality of LMF. Cumin seeds and inshell hazelnuts were selected as model foods.

It took < 2 min of stationary RF heating to achieve > 5 log reductions of Salmonella in cumin seeds without …

Protein Availability And Consumption, And Stunting Rates, For Primary School Children In The Southern Regions Of Ethiopia And Zambia, Megan Wackel

NUTR/GLST 498b: Global Research Experiences in Nutrition and Health

•Stunting is common in Sub-Sahara Africa, with millions of children who are short in stature also experiencing poor overall health and development, as well as poor school performance (Semba 2016; Semba, et al., 2016). •As many as 39% of children under 5 years of age in Ethiopia’s Sidama Region (formerly SNNPR) can be classified as stunted (CSA & ICF 2016). By comparison, 29% of under 5’s in Zambia’s Southern Province have short height for age (CSA, MOH, & ICF 2018). •Low protein and essential amino acid intake, among populations of 116 countries, has been suggested as the primary cause of …

Do Lactic Acid Bacteria In Fermented Foods Persist In The Gastrointestinal Tract: An In Vitro Investigation, Chloe M. Christensen, Car Reen Kok, Robert W. Hutkins

UCARE: Research Products

It is now well established that the composition of the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiota has a profound influence on intestinal and overall health. Many contemporary diseases such as type two diabetes, IBS and obesity are associated with a dysbiotic microbiota. Therefore, researchers are interested in how diet and specific dietary components can modulate the gastrointestinal microbiota and possibly repair a dysbiotic state. One approach to improve gastrointestinal health is by consuming probiotics and prebiotics or a diet rich in fermented foods containing live microbes. Fermented foods are popular because of their enhanced preservation, safety, organoleptic, functionality, and nutritional properties. These fermented …

Research Tools And Their Uses For Determining The Thermal Inactivation Kinetics Of Salmonella In Low-Moisture Foods, Soon Kiat Lau

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The reputation of low-moisture foods as safe foods has been crumbling over the past decade due to repeated involvement in foodborne illness outbreaks. Although various pasteurization technologies exist, a majority are thermal processes and have not been well-characterized for pasteurizing low-moisture foods. In addition, the nature of a low-moisture food matrix introduces various experimental complications that are not encountered in high-moisture foods. In this dissertation, the development, building instructions, and characterization of various open source tools for studying the inactivation kinetics of microorganisms in low-moisture foods are described. The first tool is the TDT Sandwich, a dry heating device for …

Development Of A Sandwich Elisa Targeting Cashew Ana O 2 And Ana O 3, Morganne Schmidt

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Cashew nut is the second leading tree nut allergy in the US. Cross-contact of cashew nut poses potential food safety risks for individuals with cashew allergies. Highly-processed foods, such as HTST/UHT cashew milks may lead to problems in cashew protein detection by current allergen detection methods. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop a robust sandwich ELISA for detection of highly processed cashew proteins. Commercial cashew ELISAs were evaluated for their robustness and sensitivity in detecting cashew milk cashew protein. After unreliable results were determined, cashew Ana o 2 (11S) and Ana o 3 (2S) were semi-purified using …

Edible Films Made Of Corn Zein Protein And Cellulose Derivatives, Gloria Dukuzeyesu, Changmou Xu, Zhang Yue

UCARE: Research Products

A composite edible film made of corn zein protein (Z) and cellulose derivatives (C) was successfully fabricated. Edible films are coatings used to wrap food products to protect them against microbial deterioration, loss of moisture, and to extend the shelf life of the product. These edible films are consumed together with the product . The mechanical properties, water vapor permeability, application on fruits, and shelf life of the composite film were studied. Zein demonstrated excellent packing characteristics; due to its high no polar contents and hydrophobic nature, zein film served as a moisture barrier. Hydroproxy methylcellulose (HPM) is tasteless, odorless …

Got Science? Club, Nora Husein, Randa Ismail

Honors Program: Expanded Learning Clubs

Got Science? Club allows students to learn about the science that can be found in our daily lives using everyday items such as food and school supplies. Students will learn about these sciences through hands-on experiments, allowing them to truly experience the science around them.

Periodic Table Club, Makayla Gill, Kailynn Jensen

Honors Program: Expanded Learning Clubs

This club is dedicated to teaching the generation of future scientists the periodic table. This is designed to be a unique take on a STEM club that uses the periodic table as a backbone for a solid foundation in chemistry.

Stunting And Infectious Disease In Ethiopian And Zambian Children, Alyssa Arndt

NUTR/GLST 498b: Global Research Experiences in Nutrition and Health

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether children who are malnourished/stunted are more likely to have experienced infectious disease.

METHODS: 6th and 7th students (n=546) were interviewed about health history and assessed using anthropometry.

RESULTS: Children who are short for their age also have higher rates of stunting. Malaria is the most experienced infectious disease.

CONCLUSIONS: Given that malaria was the most common infectious disease experience listed among middle school children, and that those who have experienced disease are more likely to be stunted, increased malaria prevention methods may improve the long-term health of Ethiopian and Zambian schoolchildren.

Association Between Sulfur-Metabolizing Bacterial Communities In Stool And Risk Of Distal Colorectal Cancer In Men, Long H. Nguyen, Wenjie Ma, Dong D. Wang, Yin Cao, Himel Mallick, Teklu K. Gerbaba, Jason Lloyd-Price, Galeb Abu-Ali, A. Brantley Hall, Daniel Sikavi, David A. Drew, Raaj S. Mehta, Cesar Arze, Amit D. Joshi, Yan Yan, Tobyn Branck, Casey Dulong, Kerry L. Ivey, Shuji Ogino, Eric B. Rimm, Mingyang Song, Wendy S. Garrett, Jacques Izard, Cutis Huttenhower, Andrew T. Chan

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Background and aims: Sulfur-metabolizing microbes, which convert dietary sources of sulfur into genotoxic hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), have been associated with development of colorectal cancer (CRC). We identified a dietary pattern associated with sulfur-metabolizing bacteria in stool and then investigated its association with risk of incident CRC using data from a large prospective study of men.

Methods: We collected data from 51,529 men enrolled in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study since 1986 to determine the association between sulfur-metabolizing bacteria in stool and risk of CRC over 26 years of follow-up. First, in a subcohort of 307 healthy men, we …

Integrating The Ecosystem Services Framework To Define Dysbiosis Of The Breastfed Infant Gut: The Role Of B. Infantis And Human Milk Oligosaccharides, Rebbeca M. Duar, Bethany M. Henrick, Giorgio Casaburi, Steven A. Frese

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Mounting evidence supports a connection between the composition of the infant gut microbiome and long-term health. In fact, aberrant microbiome compositions during key developmental windows in early life are associated with increased disease risk; therefore, making pertinent modifications to the microbiome during infancy offers significant promise to improve human health. There is growing support for integrating the concept of ecosystem services (the provision of benefits from ecosystems to humans) in linking specific microbiome functions to human well-being. This framework is widely applied in conservation efforts of macro-ecosystems and offers a systematic approach to guide restoration actions aimed to recover critical …

Evaluations Of The Peroxidative Susceptibilities Of Cod Liver Oils By A 1h Nmr Analysis Strategy: Peroxidative Resistivity Of A Natural Collagenous And Biogenic Amine-Rich Fermented Product, Benita C. Percival, Angela Wann, Richard Zbasnik, Vicki Schlegel, Mark Edgar, Jie Zhang, Gilbert Ampem, Philippe Wilson, Adam Le Gresley, Declan Naughton, Martin Gootveld

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

High-resolution 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis was employed to molecularly screen the lipid, lipid oxidation product (LOP), and antioxidant compositions of four natural (unrefined) cod liver oil (CLO) products. Products 1–3 were non-fermented CLOs, whilst Product 4 was isolated from pre-fermented cod livers. Supporting analytical data that were acquired included biogenic amine, flavanone, tannin, phenolic antioxidant, α-tocopherol, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) determinations by recommended HPLC, LC/MS/MS, or spectrophotometric methods. SDS-PAGE, HPLC, and 1H NMR analyses investigated and determined collagenous antioxidants and their molecular mass ranges. 1H NMR analysis of aldehydic LOPs was employed to explore the susceptibilities/resistivities …

Effect Of Storage Time And Temperature On The Recovery Of Milk And Peanut Residue From Environmental Swabs, Jessica Humphrey, Joseph Baumert, Stephen Taylor, Shyamali Jayasena

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

Environmental swabs of shared processing equipment are commonly utilized by the food industry during cleaning validation studies. Some of these swabs are sent to 3^rd party laboratories for evaluation. However, the recovery of protein residues of allergenic foods between the time of swabbing and time of testing has yet to be systematically studied.

The objective of this study was to determine the recovery of allergen residues (peanut and milk) from swabs held at different holding times and temperatures. Commercial ELISAs (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays) were evaluated to determine allergen residue recovery from swabs inoculated with known amounts of peanut and …

Sex Bias In Gut Microbiome Transmission In Newly Paired Marmosets (Callithrix Jacchus), Lifeng Zhu, Jonathan B. Clayton, Mallory J. Suhr Van Haute, Qinnan Yang, Haley R. Hassenstab, Aaryn C. Mustoe, Dan Knights, Andrew K. Benson, Jeffrey A. French

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Social behavior can alter the microbiome composition via transmission among social partners, but there have been few controlled experimental studies of gut microbiome transmission among social partners in primates. We collected longitudinal fecal samples from eight unrelated male-female pairs of marmoset monkeys prior to pairing and for 8 weeks following pairing. We then sequenced 16S rRNA to characterize the changes in the gut microbiome that resulted from the pairing. Marmoset pairs had a higher similarity in gut microbiome communities after pairing than before pairing. We discovered sex differences in the degrees of change in gut microbiome communities following pairing. Specifically, …

Determinations Of The Peroxidative Susceptibilities Of Cod Liver Oils By A Newly-Developed 1h Nmr-Based Method: Resistance Of An Antioxidant-Fortified Product Isolated From Pre-Fermented Sources, B. C. Percival, R. Zbasnik, V. Schlegel, M. Edgar, J. Zhang, M. Grootveld

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Objective: To explore the molecular composition and antioxidant status of four natural (unrefined) cod liver oil (CLO) products, three of which (Products 1–3) were non-fermented, whilst one (Product 4) was isolated from pre-fermented cod livers, and hence was naturally antioxidant-fortified. Potential antioxidants and aldehyde-scavenging agents were determined by recommended and/or 1H NMR methods; peroxyl radical-specific oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values were measured fluorimetrically. The activities of such antioxidants were also investigated by assessing the susceptibilities/resistivities of these CLOs to thermo-oxidation by 1H NMR analysis, which monitored the time-dependent evolution of aldehydic lipid oxidation products at 180 °C.

Results: Product …

Prebiotic-Induced Anti-Tumor Immunity Attenuates Tumor Growth, Yan Li, Lisa Elmen, Igor Segota, Yibo Xian, Roberto Tinoco, Tinoco Feng, Yu Fujita, Rafael R. Segura Munoz, Robert J. Schmaltz, Linda M. Bradley, Amanda Ramer-Tait, Raphy Zarecki, Tao Long, Scott N. Peterson, Ze’Ev A. Ronai

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Growing evidence supports the importance of gut microbiota in the control of tumor growth and response to therapy. Here, we select prebiotics that can enrich bacterial taxa that promote anti-tu- mor immunity. Addition of the prebiotics inulin or mucin to the diet of C57BL/6 mice induces anti-tu- mor immune responses and inhibition of BRAF mutant melanoma growth in a subcutaneously implanted syngeneic mouse model. Mucin fails to inhibit tumor growth in germ-free mice, indicating that the gut microbiota is required for the activation of the anti-tumor immune response. Inulin and mucin drive distinct changes in the microbiota, as inulin, but …

Growing Torula Yeast (Candida Utilis) For Food Grade Fatty Acids, Zachary Christman

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The focus of this article is the cultivation of a food grade yeast for the production of fatty acids without the restrictions of climate or growing season. Torula yeast (Candida utilis) was selected since it can grow on a wide variety of culture media and has over 60 years of use in the food industry. The fatty acid composition of C. utilis grown on two different media are presented in this article; the first example using completely synthetic media and another using distiller’s vinasse. Also, the effect of different culturing conditions on the percentage of various fatty …

Integration Of Sodium Hypochlorite Pretreatment With Co-Immobilized Microalgae/Bacteria Treatment Of Meat Processing Wastewater, Xinjuan Hu, Yulie Meneses, Ashraf Aly Hassan

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Wastewater with 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, 1.0 mg/L free chlorine was biologically treated using co-immobilized microalgae/ bacteria. In contrast, non-pretreated wastewater was treated with beads (control) and blank beads (blank) under the same operating condition. Results showed that NaClO pretreatment removed 8–33% total nitrogen (TN), 31–45% true color and 0.7–2.5 log CFU/mL aerobic-bacteria. At the end of treatment, maximum algal biomass (2,027 dry weight mg/L) was achieved with 0.2 mg/L free chlorine. Bacterial growth in wastewater was decreased by NaClO pretreatment before reaching 7.2–7.7 log CFU/mL on the fifth day. Beads with microorganisms (control) removed 15% more chemical-oxygen-demand (COD), 16% more …

Consumer Horticulture Benefits Housing And Residential Areas, Robert Polomski, Ellen Bauske, Terri James, Natalie Bumgarner, Katie Walberg

Nebraska Cooperative Extension: Faculty and Staff Publications

Horticulture and plants can be a benefit to those who live in housing and residential areas by:

• Providing aesthetically pleasing and valuable landscapes that increase property value

• Providing landscape plants that improve the physical conditions and improve energy efficiency

• Improving the quality of life in residential neighborhoods

Comparative Genome Analysis Of Bifidobacterium Longum Subsp. Infantis Strains Reveals Variation In Human Milk Oligosaccharide Utilization Genes Among Commercial Probiotics, Rebbeca M. Duar, Giorgio Casaburi, Ryan D. Mitchell, Lindsey N.C. Scofield, Camila A. Ortega Ramirez, Daniela Barile, Bethany M. Henrick, Steven A. Frese

Department of Food Science and Technology: Faculty Publications

Dysbiosis is associated with acute and long-term consequences for neonates. Probiotics can be effective in limiting the growth of bacteria associated with dysbiosis and promoting the healthy development of the infant microbiome. Given its adaptation to the infant gut, and promising data from animal and in vitro models, Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis is an attractive candidate for use in infant probiotics. However, strain-level differences in the ability of commercialized strains to utilize human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) may have implications in the performance of strains in the infant gut. In this study, we characterized twelve B. infantis probiotic strains and identified …

Dental Health Factors Among Primary School Children In Southern Regions Of Ethiopia And Zambia, Gisselle Hernandez

NUTR/GLST 498b: Global Research Experiences in Nutrition and Health

Purpose: Assess oral health status, and factors affecting oral health, among primary schoolchildren in southern Ethiopia and Zambia. Methods: Visual dental assessments, anthropometric measurements, and questionnaires used to collect data among 6th and 7th grade students. Results: Although stunting rates were nearly equal, decay rates were not; 17.51% of Zambian students and 47.27% of Ethiopian students had one or more decayed teeth. Ethiopian students with dental fluorosis (74.55%) had higher rates of decay than those without the condition (p < .05). There were also significant differences between Ethiopians and Zambians regarding use of dental hygiene tools: Ethiopians were more likely to use dental sticks, while Zambians employed toothbrushes for cleaning. Conclusions: Dental health and hygiene education, focused on unique socioecological settings, could improve the oral health status of Ethiopian and Zambian children.

PowerPoint file attached below

Iron-Rich Foods, Anemia, And Malaria In Primary School Children In Southern Ethiopia And Zambia, Julianne Fay

NUTR/GLST 498b: Global Research Experiences in Nutrition and Health

PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between iron-deficient anemia and malaria in primary school children in Southern Ethiopia and Zambia and assess the correlation between diet and health status.

METHODS: Market inventories, observations at health outposts, and interviews and anthropometric assessments of 6th and 7th grade students.

RESULTS: Both Ethiopia and Zambia had 20 iron-rich foods available in local markets. Only liver consumption was associated with malaria experience; those who consumed liver were significantly less likely to have had the disease (p

DISCUSSION: Given the high prevalence of malaria in Southern Ethiopia and Zambia, and the correlation between liver consumption and …

The Combine: Program Overview (Brochure)

The Combine

Nebraska is known nationally for its distinguished brand and production efficiency in food and agriculture. The state ranks among the top producers of over a dozen commodities including corn, beans, beef, and millet.

The Combine is a statewide program focused on fostering high-growth innovation and entrepreneurship in food and agriculture-tech sectors. The initiative is led by Invest Nebraska with support from The Nebraska Department of Economic Development and The Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

Invest Nebraska Corporation builds a better future for our state by providing financial and operational assistance to high growth companies, developing high growth infrastructure, and attracting out-of-state …

A Review Of Technologies For Malt Flour And Sourdough From Brewery Spent Grain, Zachary Christman

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The utilization of brewer's spent grain for the production of malt flour is the focus of this article. The reader is presented with superheated steam and extrusion as technologies to reduce mycotoxin contamination and improve shelf life. Another option is the fermentation of brewer's spent grain with a cereal grade lactic acid bacteria for the production of sourdough bread. Milling of the brewer's spent grain for the production of bread is also covered.

Identification, Aggressiveness And Mycotoxin Production Of Fusarium Graminearum And F. Boothii Isolates Causing Fusarium Head Blight Of Wheat In Nebraska, Esteban Valverde-Bogantes

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is an economically important disease caused by several Fusarium species affecting wheat. Besides causing significant yield losses, infected grain may be contaminated with mycotoxins, primarily trichothecenes, that are harmful to both humans and animals. In recent years, reports of shifts in FHB pathogen populations in North America have highlighted the need for increased vigilance. This dissertation describes a four-year survey evaluating the species, trichothecene genotype and phenotypic diversity of FHB pathogens infecting Nebraska wheat. Most of the isolates were identified as F. graminearum (n=67). Additional species included F. boothii (n=3), F. poae (n=2) and F. acuminatum …