Other Food Science Commons^™

The Gut Microbiome, The Gut-Brain Axis, And College Student Well-Being, Idi Mckay

University Honors Theses

This literature review examines how diet, stress, environmental exposure, and food accessibility may influence college students' mental health and academic performance through the gut microbiome and the Gut-Brain Axis (GBA). Current microbiome research often focuses on early childhood development, clinical disease populations, or older adults, while overlooking college-age students who experience significant social, environmental, and biological transitions. College students frequently face food insecurity, irregular eating patterns, chronic stress, inconsistent sleep schedules, and reduced access to nutrient-dense foods, all of which may influence microbial diversity and overall gut health.

This thesis explores how modern campus environments and lifestyle factors may contribute …

The Impact Of Label Material On Perceived Value And Environmental-Friendliness Of Beverages In Returnable Glass Bottles Versus Actual Environmental Impact Via Life Cycle Assessment, Toni Sharp

All Dissertations

With guidance from the EPA to reduce virgin packaging use and alternatively increase reuse, the concept of reusable packaging has re-emerged as a potential sustainable alternative to single-use and recyclable packaging. For businesses, an understanding of the potential environmental benefits of switching from single-use packaging to reusable packaging, along with consumer willingness to pay for sustainable packaging are paramount. Existing literature on willingness to pay (WTP) for ethical or sustainable products typically relies on consumers’ stated preferences found through surveys using hypothetical products and prices. It has been revealed that sustainability claims printed on the label or products in glass …

Interleukin-6 (Il-6) Mediated Pathways In Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (Nafld) And Its Implications On Magnesium And Zinc Mineral Deficiencies: A Scoping Review, Marianne Koleng, Leann Nguyen

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

The prevalence and incidence of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) is rising. In the United States alone, the prevalence of NAFLD is currently 38% and there has been a 50% increase over the last three decades. The present study investigated the role of ultratrace mineral deficiencies, specifically magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn), and if so, what nutritional interventions could be made to ameliorate or protect against the development of NAFLD. The role of trace and ultratrace minerals in pro-inflammatory cytokine pathways contributing to NAFLD, specifically Interleukin-6 (IL-6), were investigated. IL-6 is produced by hepatocytes and plays a crucial role in …

The Effect Protein Supplementation On Waist-To-Hip Ratio, Bmi, Lipid Profile, And Resting Energy Expenditure In Postmenopausal Women, Caleb Flores

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Postmenopausal women are a growing and at risk population that face increased risk for adverse changes in body composition, lipid profile, and overall cardiometabolic health due to hormonal changes associated with aging. Over 40% of postmenopausal women have obesity, which can be linked not just aging but the menopausal transition. Because of the negative effects of menopause on cardiometabolic, research into dietary interventions to combat these effects are needed. High-protein diets have shown promise in mitigating these effects, but sufficient research has not been done to determine the effects on postmenopausal women. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of …

Biodegradable Active Packaging: Exploring The Antimicrobial Efficacy And Compostability Of Chitosan-Based Films, Rachel Mchugh

All Theses

The overarching purpose of this experiment is to create an active packaging component that has both antimicrobial and biodegradable properties specifically designed for poultry food products. For the scope of this study, the packaging component created would theoretically be used in conjunction with another material, such as a poultry tray which are commonly used for fresh poultry products. Based on the scope and purpose of this experiment, biopolymer films and coatings were considered after the initial literature review. Due to the goals of the packaging component, chitosan, a polysaccharide shown to have antimicrobial properties and an inherent ability to biodegrade, …

An Economic And Production Analysis Of Seaweed Farms In California And The Pacific Northwest, Brian Donovan

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Since the early 2010s, the seaweed aquaculture industry has steadily expanded in the United States, with states like Alaska, Maine, Hawaii, and Connecticut leading the way in the development of this emerging sector. However, information gaps remain concerning certain aspects of the domestic seaweed aquaculture industry. The purpose of this study was to examine the status of the seaweed aquaculture industry along the West Coast of the United States; specifically in the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Seaweed farmers in these states were invited to voluntarily complete surveys asking important production, economic, and commercial questions regarding their operations. Data …

Sensory Evaluation And Consumer Acceptance Of A Protein Enriched Energy Bar, Brennah T. Groves

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Sensory Evaluation and Consumer Acceptance of a Protein Enriched Energy Bar

Brennah Groves

This study evaluated the sensory properties and consumer acceptance of a protein enriched energy bar. The objectives of this study were to 1) formulate a high-protein energy bar containing at least 20 g of protein per 100 g serving, and 2) determine whether increasing the protein content in an energy bar would enhance the sensory evaluation and improve consumer acceptance among collegiate athletes. The control energy bar featured a shortbread base, date caramel with whey protein, a nougat layer, and a chocolate coating. Additional collagen protein …

Monitoring West Virginia Wastewater For Norovirus: A Test Case For Tracking Foodborne Illness Outbreaks In Rural Communities Using Wastewater, Haley M. Phillippi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Foodborne illnesses are a global public health challenge. Foodborne illnesses, like norovirus, often have a large disease and societal burden. Norovirus is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus, with 10 identified genogroups (GI-GX). Genogroups GI and GII are responsible for nearly all human cases of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. In the United States, HuNoV is not notifiable case-by-case. Instead, outbreaks are reported to national surveillance systems when two or more cases are epidemiologically linked. Most norovirus outbreaks occur during Winter to early Spring, however, certain individuals may still shed and transmit the virus without being detected or reported. Wastewater monitoring is a …

The Effect Of Packaging On The Acceptance Of Natural Peanut Butter, Perian M. Reese

All Theses

The aim was to determine the effect of packaging on the acceptance of natural peanut butter, especially concerning the acceptance of the undesirable oil layer. The jars of peanut butter differed by color, label size, and inclusion of qualifying statements. 119 participants across two groups completed this study. Both groups completed an eye-tracking study in a mock grocery setting. The first group rated all five jars in appearance, expected quality, and overall rating. They were given one sample cup of peanut butter and gave hedonic liking values for color, oiliness, peanut flavor, smoothness, sweetness, and overall liking. The second group …

Characterizing Oxylipins In Human Milk Extracellular Vesicles, Priscila Herrera

Food Science (MS) Theses

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are non-replicating lipid bilayer membrane-bound particle formed by a parent cell and secreted into the extracellular environment. EVs in human milk are bioavailable and influence physiologic pathways that may contribute to newborn growth and development. There is interest in the oxylipin content of EVs that may contribute to the bioavailability of EVs. This research aims to characterize the oxylipin content of human milk EVs. Centrifugation and precipitation were used to isolate EVs from human milk (n = 20). The Folch method was used to extract lipids, and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC– MS) was used to qualify and …

Agroecology And Soil Stewardship: Values And Techniques Of Smallholder Farmers In Bernalillo County, Stephanie Olivas

Geography ETDs

Agrarian movements around the world use agroecology to build sovereignty and steward dynamic ecosystems. Research has shown that agroecological farmers steward more resilient crops, more resilient soil biomes, and greater biodiversity than conventional agriculture. GIS and remote sensing offer many tools to detect the impacts of these farmers on the environment, but it is less clear how such technologies fit into agroecological goals. This study asks: what values, experiences and knowledge do smallholder producers in Bernalillo County embody in their soil stewardship practices? Also, what experience or knowledge do smallholder producers in Bernalillo County have about remote sensing, and would …

Use Of A Novel Combination Of Multiplex Pcr And Dna Barcoding In Assessing Authenticity Of Ginseng Products, Diane Kim

Food Science (MS) Theses

Ginseng (Panax sp.) is a medicinal plant root used for its purported health benefits, primarily in East Asian countries. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant increase in sales of dietary supplements, including ginseng supplements, to purportedly support immune health and provide other health benefits. However, this heightened demand has subsequently increased the risk of adulteration in these dietary supplements. The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy of a novel combination of DNA barcoding and multiplex PCR to identify species in ginseng supplements. A total of 50 commercial ginseng supplements containing either Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, or …

A Meta-Analysis Of Seafood Species Mislabeling Rates In The United States, Sarah Ahles

Food Science (MS) Theses

Seafood is vulnerable to species mislabeling due to factors such as complex global supply chains, varying prices, and similar appearance of species. Numerous studies have been published reporting a range of mislabeling rates for various forms of seafood. However, these studies oftentimes focus on lesser-consumed species that are vulnerable to species mislabeling. As a result, the overall mislabeling rate of commercially sold seafood in the U.S. remains unknown, especially for the most consumed species. Thus, the objective of the current study was to compile the results of seafood mislabeling studies into a single resource to provide informative statistics on U.S. …

The Effect Of Chlorine Dioxide On Sliced Tomatoes Used In Retail And Foodservice, Charles Mattocks

All Theses

As food prices continue to rise, many consumers are looking at ways to cut back on spending and many look to how much they spend on food. Food waste in an average American household of four leads to about $1,500 worth of unused/wasted food annually,

This study was conducted to see how the use of Chlorine Dioxide (ClO₂) could be used to treat and extend the shelf life of freshly sliced tomatoes for food service applications. Prior research in this regard has looked at whole tomatoes as opposed to sliced varieties, and many have not utilized a sensory …

Assessing Sustainability Within The Brewing Industry: A Literature Review And Benchmarking Analysis., Elijah Thomas Miller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The goals of this study were twofold: to further examine sustainability within the brewing industry through a literature analysis across four academic journals, and a benchmarking analysis of a Louisville, Kentucky brewery’s resource consumption and emissions production. Publications related to the brewing industry were examined for the presence of sustainability keywords: “efficiency, sustainability, carbon footprint, climate change and greenhouse gas”. Benchmarking examined the local brewery’s primary production facility to determine their performance compared to other surveyed breweries pursuing sustainability across the country. Literature examination found noticeable discrepancies between the appearance of sustainability topics within article abstracts and their discussion within …

Effects Of Uv Filter Pollutants On The Growth Of Cucurbits And Possible Implications For Humans, Leia Staples

Undergraduate Theses

One main area of concern is the use of personal care products and pharmaceuticals in society and their long-term persistence when released into the environment (Chaturvedi et al. 2021). Cucurbits, however, are well-known for taking up pollutants (Namiki et al. 2013, Christou et al. 2019, Komives et al. 2009), so it essential to ensure that these pollutants do not negatively affect growth or productivity of plants. These plants are particularly useful in society because they have many health benefits and are consumed regularly by humans. While much research has been done on how much of the pollutant travels throughout the …

Identifying Youth Appeals In Alcohol Alternative Social Media Content Through Framing, Melina Oneal

West Chester University Master’s Theses

Proposed regulations for alcohol advertising prevent beverage companies from targeting people under the legal drinking age. However, similar regulations for alcohol alternative beverages are less explored, which could allow alcohol alternative products to create awareness for alcoholic beverages among youth. Alcohol alternatives beverages, including no-alcohol and low-alcohol products, are increasing in popularity and can function as compliments to alcoholic products to decrease the total alcohol volume consumed or as substitutes for alcoholic products. Framing theory can be operationalized through the Content Appealing to Youth Index, an index of content elements found in research literature to be appealing to youth, to …

The Effects Of Sous Vide Cooking And Cysteine Proteases On Instrumental And Sensory Textural Properties Of Lower Value Cuts Of Beef, Ian Smith

All Theses

Sous vide cooking has the potential to increase the value of lower quality cuts of beef. Understanding the textural properties following a cook-chill sous vide process is crucial to maximizing this potential. The use of enzymes may further increase the value of these products if able to positively alter the texture of the final product.

The first research objective was to use instrumental texture analysis to evaluate potential relationships between enzymatic treatments and sous vide processing time of lower value cuts of beef. Three cuts were evaluated: infraspinatus (top blade), semitendinosus (eye of round), and beef tongue. Infraspinatus and semitendinosus …

Development Of A User-Friendly Shelf-Life Model To Evaluate The Suitability Of Sustainable Materials In Roasted And Ground Coffee Fractional Packs, Matthew Baxley

All Theses

Roasted and ground coffee is a shelf stable product yet quite sensitive to oxidative staling. A consumer acceptance-based shelf-life modeling system was proposed with intent for the rapid determination of suitable coffee packages. This model requires as input the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of the coffee, barrier values of packages, and the size of the packaging. Within the time period tested, it was shown that this model accurately predicted the oxygen uptake of coffee over time. Four bio-based packaging systems with barrier layers including mPLA, mPE, mcellophane, and paper were compared against a control (mPET). These materials displayed a range …

Thawing And Storage Effects On Quality Of Plant-Based Sausage Patties, Dakota Cook

All Theses

Maintaining sausage analogue quality during a thawing process and storage is important for increasing consumer satisfaction. Following new trends and prevalence of plant-based meats and a flexitarian diet, two experiments were conducted to test how thawing methods (experiment 1) and storage temperatures (experiment 2) affect meat analogue quality. For Experiment 1, Jimmy Dean Original Sausage Patties Made with Pork & Turkey, Morningstar Veggie Original Patties and Beyond Sausage Original Patties were purchased pre-frozen and subsequently thawed in one of three ways: 1. thawed at 4°C for 24 hours, 2. thawed at room temperature (22°C±2°C) for 4 hours and 3. thawed …

How Does Increasing The Darkness Of A Plate Affect The Perception Of Both Bitter And Sweet Flavors?, Jessica Williams

Food Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Extrinsic cues like plate color have been shown to effect taste perception. Previous studies conducted show a consensus that plate colors can modulate taste perception (Piqueras-Fizman et al., 2012, Stewart & Gross, 2013). No studies, however, have investigated varying color hues and their effect on taste perception. This study aims to determine whether the change in the black to white ratio of plate color can affect consumer perception of sweetness or bitterness.

We presented a group of volunteers two different brownies on plates varying from 100% white to 0% white in 25% increments. A 30:70 male to female gender ratio …

An Investigation Of The Impact Of Entrepreneurship Programs On Student Interest In Entrepreneurship Competitions, Toni Sharp

All Theses

According to a survey by ACNielsen International Research, over half of Americans want to start their own business to build wealth and achieve independence (Bygrave & Zacharakis, 2011). In the research community, most entrepreneurship education research happens in business schools (Matlay, 2006). As a result of continually researching one form of entrepreneurship, less attention has been paid to other forms contributing to the “definitional obscurity with important consequences for the direction of the field” of entrepreneurship (Baker & Welter, 2017). This has created a need for research on entrepreneurship at the college level in fields outside of business.

Clemson University …

Effect Of Authentic Kefir And Nigella Sativa On Broilers Challenged By Coccidia And Clostridium Perfringens, Julian E. Nixon

All Dissertations

Black seed oil concentrations of 0%, 0.1%, 1% and 5% were added to milk inoculated with kefir grains and incubated at 25°C for 22 h. The pH and microbial count indicated 1% black seed oil caused low inhibition (P > 0.05) of fermentation, but 5% black seed oil caused significant inhibition of the kefir microorganisms (P < 0.05).

Cobb 500 male chicks (n = 256) were distributed in a randomized block design and received one of four treatments: CTRL1 (Non-medicated, no kefir, no Clostridium perfringens), CTRL2 (Non-medicated, no kefir, C. perfringens inoculated), CTRL3 (BMD medicated, no kefir, C. perfringens inoculated), KTRT (Non-medicated, …

Upcycling Imperfect Broccoli And Carrot To Healthy Snacks Using An Innovative 3d Food Printing Approach, Taylor Clary

Food Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Vegetables are healthy foods with nutritional benefits; however, nearly one-third of the world’s fruits and vegetables are lost each year. The losses have the same nutritional value as an acceptable vegetable but have odd shapes or blemishes that make them unsuitable to consumers. 3D technology has numerous capabilities in the automotive, healthcare, and, now, food industries. Within the food industry, 3D food printing can bring customization to product design and nutrition as well as other advancements, including decreasing food waste. In this study, imperfect vegetables (i.e., broccoli and carrot) were upcycled into freeze-dried powders to improve their shelf-life before they …

Labeling Compliance, Species Authentication, And Short-Weighting Of Prepackaged Frozen Shrimp Sold In Grocery Stores In Southern California, Mckenna Rivers

Food Science (MS) Theses

While shrimp is the most-consumed seafood product in the United States, there is a lack of research into the extent of short-weighting and mislabeling of shrimp in the marketplace. The objective of this study was to investigate frozen shrimp for Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) compliance, species authentication, acceptable market names, net weights, and percent glaze. A total of 106 frozen shrimp packages were purchased from grocery stores in Southern California. Samples were determined to be COOL compliant if both the procurement method and country of origin were reported at the point of sale. Species authentication and acceptable market names …

Evaluating Sensory Quality, Willingness To Try, Risk And Product Appropriateness Of Seafood Byproducts, Silvia Jessenia Murillo Miguez

LSU Master's Theses

Valorization of food wastes/byproducts has become a major subject of research to increase sustainability of the global food supply chain. Seafood industries generate a substantial quantity of byproducts. An online survey was used to evaluate Willingness-to-try (WTT), the effect of a Consumer Safety Statement (CSS) on WTT, perceived risks and product appropriateness associated with seafood byproducts in food as influenced by gender and race. Based on the finding from this survey, a clean label catfish bone powder (CBP) was developed and used for breaded catfish sticks which were evaluated for sensory liking, emotional profile, and purchase intent. Previous consumers of …

Analysis Of Experimental Antimicrobial Prevention Strategies Against Microbial Contamination Of Locally Harvested Poultry And Produce In West Virginia, Rebecca Breanne Stearns

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Fresh produce and poultry have been associated with several foodborne illness outbreaks. Strategies to mitigate these risks are a much-needed research priority; therefore, five experiments were conducted to analyze pathogen cross-contamination capabilities on produce and poultry. Microbial contamination prevention and reduction strategies were also studied.

In Chapter Two, three antimicrobial delivery methods in combination with increasing concentrations of hydrogen peroxide-peroxyacetic acid (H₂O₂-PAA) (0.05-0.25 ml/dL) were compared to evaluate their ability to reduce and prevent cross-contamination of Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) and Listeria innocua (L. innocua) on inoculated apples. Apples have been …

Krill Protein Fortified Extrudates: A Pilot Study, Avery S. Fleeharty

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Antarctic krill (Euphausiacea superba) is an abundant and sustainable but underutilized natural resource with well-studied protein isolation methodology using Isoelectric solubilization-precipitation (ISP). The resulting krill protein isolate (KPI) has high yield and sufficient impurity removal in addition to desirable nutritional and functional properties but has yet to be used in food systems. Extrusion is a versatile and scalable food processing method with many benefits; thus, the aim of this study was to determine the impact of KPI as an additive in extrusion processing with the eventual goal of introducing it to human and animal food systems. KPI was …

Ultrasound-Based Structural And Functional Modifications Of Oat Protein: Complementary Effects Of High Pressure, Cysteine, And Flavonoids, Runnan Li

Theses and Dissertations--Animal and Food Sciences

Oat (Avena sativa L.), a specialty cereal grain belonging to the Poaceae family, is relatively abundant in nutritious protein (12–20%) and dietary fiber (β-glucan). The balanced hydrophilic/hydrophobic amino acid profile in oat protein relative to other plant sources provides numerous possibilities for formulating oat protein isolate (OPI) into a wide range of food products. Yet, there has been limited research on OPI and the application of this valuable protein source is hampered by its low solubility at neutral and mildly acidic conditions. This dissertation research aimed to elucidate the efficacy of high-intensity ultrasound (HIU) for structural modification of OPI …

Food Waste Storage Gaseous Emissions Detection And Quantification Using Infrared Spectroscopy, Ryley A. Burton-Tauzer

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

A growing interest in sustainable waste management and the implementation of new policies have prompted a shift towards alternative resource recovery methods for organic waste, including food waste. To effectively assess alternative food waste treatment scenarios, it is important to evaluate the life cycle impacts associated with each scenario. The storage phase of food waste, encompassing its accumulation in kitchens, and storage in bins for collection and transportation, has been overlooked as a source of greenhouse gases in previous studies. This investigation aimed to identify the greenhouse gases emitted during the initial five-day period of low-oxygen storage. An open dynamic …