Food Science Commons^™

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. …

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 …

3d-Printed Soy Protein And Microalga Films: A Sustainable Approach With Antioxidant Functionality, Sorour Barekat, Buse Dogan, Sibel Uzuner, Ali Ubeyitogullari

Food Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study investigated the optimization and fabrication of soy protein isolate (SPI)-green microalga (MA) 3D-printed films. For optimizing 3D printing, the effects of MA concentration, nozzle size (0.52-0.81 mm), and speed (10-20 mm/s) were examined. The printed films were then dried, and color, mechanical properties, water vapor permeability, structure, and antioxidant activity were analyzed. All the formulations showed shear-thinning behavior and rapid recovery. The concentration of 3 % MA, nozzle size of 0.72 mm, and printing speed of 20 mm/s were selected as the optimized conditions for the best 3D printability. Compared with the control, their elongation at break decreased …

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, …

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) …

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 …

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 …

Effect Of Substrate Dispersion Method And Particle Size On In Vitro Digestibility, Gas Production Kinetics And Composition, And Fermentation Characteristics In Different Feed Types, Luiz C. O. Sousa, Ellem M. A. Matos, Ronald J. Trotta, Edenio Detmann, David L. Harmon

Animal and Food Sciences Faculty Publications

Our objective was to evaluate the influence of substrate dispersion method and particle size on in vitro digestibility, gas production kinetics and composition, and fermentation characteristics of different feed types. Alfalfa hay, tall fescue hay, ground corn, soybean meal, and a total mixed ration (TMR) were used as substrates. Treatments were designed according to a 2 × 2 × 5 factorial arrangement: two substrate dispersion methods (loose substrate and in filter bags), two particle sizes (1 mm and 2 mm), and five feeds. Filter bags decreased (P ≤ 0.001) digestibility and gas production compared with loose samples. Filter bags decreased …

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 …

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 …

South Asian Nutrition Guide For Heart Health: A Practical Guide To Sodium, Saturated Fat, Packaged Foods, Recipes And Meal Planning, Ashwini Wagle

Open Educational Resources

South Asians, including people with ancestry from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives, have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes than many other populations. They often develop heart disease at younger ages and sometimes at lower body weights. (Jose, 2024; Patel et al., 2021; Volgman et al., 2018).

This increased risk is not caused by a single factor. Evidence points to a combination of inherited, metabolic, lifestyle, and social influences. Common contributors include insulin resistance, abdominal or visceral fat, type 2 diabetes, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, elevated lipoprotein(a), family history, stress, migration-related changes …

Dietitian-Led Nutrition Care Across The Cellular Therapy Continuum Supports Weight And Strength Recovery, Ashley Pagano Ms, Rdn, Ldn, Samantha Okerson Rdn, Erin Levine Rd, Cso, Ldn, Deanna Yerg Ms, Rdn, Ldn

Clinical Nutrition Service

No abstract provided.

High-Osmolality Medication Exposure And Length Of Stay In Icu Patients With Rectal Tubes, Kimberly Cephas Ms, Rdn, Ldn, Rachel Geosits Ms, Rdn, Cnsc, Ldn, Matthew Fair Pharmd, Hope Kincaid Mph, Cph, Alison Sutter Mph

Clinical Nutrition Service

No abstract provided.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids And Bioactives In Aqueous-Extracted Oils From Seven Edible Insects, Xavier Cheseto, Chrysantus Mbi Tanga

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Globally, there is urgent search and research interest towards alternative sources of polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids (ω-3 FA) due to sustainability challenges faced by dependence on fish and plant-derived sources. Limited information exists on insects despite their promising potential. This work analyzed oils from seven insect species commonly consumed globally compared to commercial sesame oil using coupled gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Oil yields from insects ranged between 11.1 mg/g to 115.3 mg/g. Over 67 fatty acids, α-tocopherol [vitamin E] and eight flavonoids were identified. All insect oils contained ω-3 FA [i.e., α-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic …