Food Science Commons^™

Limitations And Alternative Applications Of Carbohydrate Fatty Acid Esters As Food Antimicrobials: A Review, Valeria Rodríguez Monge, Namhyeon Park

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science Student Research

Carbohydrate fatty acid esters (CFAs) are nontoxic food additives with reported antimicrobial activity and growing interest as a potential safer alternative to conventional preservatives. However, their translation into real food systems remains limited. This review examined the main factors that restrict the antimicrobial performance of CFAs in foods and evaluated emerging alternative applications, particularly edible coatings, antibiofilm strategies, and synergistic combinations with other cleaning agents or processing techniques. Overall, the available evidence indicates that the antimicrobial efficacy of CFAs is often reduced in real food matrices compared with in vitro conditions. This loss of activity has been mainly associated with …

The Effects Of Maceration And Enzymes On The Chemical Characteristics Of Hard Apple Cider, Manou De Pelsmaeker

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of maceration and pectinase enzymes on the base chemical, polyphenolic, and volatile characteristics of cider. The apples (Fuji) were milled and macerated for 0, 4, 12, 24, or 36 hours, both with and without an enzymatic pectinase addition. While base chemical characteristics such as sugar content and ABV were unaffected, the acidity of cider was influenced maceration and enzymes. Extended maceration time resulted in lower concentrations of malic acid, and enzymes resulted in a lower pH compared to the control. Polyphenols were extracted during maceration time, resulting in higher concentrations …

Roots And Greens: Discovering The Power Of Indigenous Produce, Abiodun T. Atoloye, Sherif O. Olasoji, Ebunoluwa G. Ibidapo

Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Sciences Courseware

The curriculum was designed in alignment with the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning (CTML), Empowerment Theory (ET), and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) frameworks. These frameworks were used to determine the selection and sequencing of learning activities. As reflected in CTML principles, the use of texts, images, infographics, and videos enhances knowledge retention and information comprehension and helps prevent cognitive overload. Through activities, homework, and family engagement, the principles of ET were incorporated into the curriculum to facilitate participants’ perceived control over food-related decisions. Additionally, by applying the principles of SCT, the curriculum incorporates scenario-based questions, opportunities to engage with peers, …

The Cultivation Of Public Perception: Cultivated Meat Narratives And Misinformation On Tiktok, Anna M. Balkus

Graduate Masters Theses

Cultivated meat is an emerging tissue engineering technology that has the potential to address major issues threatening food systems, including climate change, rapid population growth, and the spread of disease. Among technical challenges, public perception remains a significant barrier for the widespread adoption of cultivated meat. While social media has transformed communication globally, it has simultaneously contributed to corrupt online environments infected with misinformation—unintentional inaccuracies that differ from disinformation, which is spread with the intent to mislead. The way the public receives and digests information regarding new food technologies, like cultivated meat, will be shaped by their social media environment. …

Impact Of Package Dimension Changes On The Consumer’S Perception Of Ready-To-Eat Meal Serving Size, Greg Roskos, Koushik Saha

Journal of Applied Packaging Research

Consumers increasingly scrutinize changes in food packaging, particularly in the context of “shrinkflation,” yet little empirical work has examined whether small dimensional changes in primary packaging affect perceived value when product weight is held constant. This study investigates the impact of minor tray dimension changes on consumers’ perception of serving size and product quality for ready-to-eat (RTE) frozen meals. Three single-compartment tray formats were evaluated: a control tray, a larger-volume tray (~18% increase), and a hybrid tray with an intermediate volume (~8% increase). All trays contained identical net product weight. Thirty-six untrained panelists from a local community participated in a …

Phytochemical Composition And Bioactivities Of Roselle (Hibiscus Sabdariffa L.) Extracts Obtained By Infusion, Ethanolic Maceration, And Maltodextrin-Assisted Drying, Risna Silvianti, Warsito Warsito, Elok Zubaidah, Zubaidah Ningsih, Aqidatul Izza

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) is rich in phenolic compounds and anthocyanins, but the extraction method may influence its chemical composition and biological activity. This study compared hot-water infusion, ethanolic maceration, and maltodextrin-assisted drying. It aimed to examine the relationship between the extraction method, chemical profile, and bioactivity. The resulting extracts (EI, EM, and EP) were analyzed for total phenolic, flavonoid, and anthocyanin, LC-HRMS profiles, and antioxidant capacity by the FRAP assay. Antibacterial analysis was conducted against Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) using agar well diffusion. Cytotoxicity tests (MTT, 24 h) were performed against HT-29, 4T1, …

Examining The Ligands, Location, And Function Of Toll-Like Receptor 10, Kiefer Keanu Tam

Master's Theses

Toll-like receptors are a class of innate immune pattern recognition receptors that detect pathogen-associated molecular patterns and regulate downstream inflammatory responses. Toll-like receptor 10 remains the only human TLR whose ligand specificity, cellular localization, and immunological function are not fully defined. Emerging evidence suggests that TLR10 may play an anti-inflammatory role and can heterodimerize with TLR2 to modulate immune signaling. Previous studies from our laboratory demonstrated that stimulation with heat-killed Mycobacterium tuberculosis promotes TLR2-TLR10 heterodimerization and trafficking to the cell surface. In this study, we expanded our ligand panel to include additional gram-positive bacteria, particularly anti-inflammatory probiotic species, to further …

Caffeine Perceptions And Reality In High School Gymnasts, Gabrielle Steinkopf

InnovateHER Meeting 2026

From years of observation as a high school gymnast, there is a noted “caffeine culture” among gymnasts at my high school. Since gymnastics is a precision sport with not inconsiderable danger, I wondered what impact caffeine ingestion had on athletes. Athletes were asked to give up caffeine during a series of regular season meets, with reflection questions immediately after each meet to assess the impact caffeine might have had on performance vs the gymnasts’ perception of the effects

Preserving The Harvest: How To Preserve Chokecherries, Callahan K. Adams, Andrea Schmutz

All Current Publications

A treasured wild fruit in Utah and across the Intermountain West, chokecherries offer both cultural heritage and culinary versatility. With proper handling and research-tested preservation methods, you can safely transform them into delicious jellies, syrups, and more. Whether using a steam juicer or stovetop method, following tested recipes and adjusting for elevation ensures both safety and quality. This fact sheet provides information and recipes to safely preserve chokecherries.

Proteomics And Alkaloid Signature Of Narrow Leaf Lupin Leaves Reveal Key Enzymes In Quinolizidine Alkaloid Biosynthesis And Transportation, Tawfeek Khedr, Ling Ling Gao, Lars G. Kamphuis, Utpal Bose, Mitchell G. Nye-Wood, Angéla Juhász, Michelle L. Colgrave

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Quinolizidine alkaloids (QAs) are toxic secondary metabolites in narrow-leafed lupin that defend against herbivores but constrain food and feed use. We developed a single-sample multiomics workflow for simultaneous extraction and quantitative analysis of QAs and proteins from individual leaves using urea/thiourea/CHAPS extraction with acetone precipitation, validated for QA quantification by LC–MS/MS. Data-independent acquisition proteomics of eight lupin accessions (four bitter, four sweet) identified 4437 proteins, with 183 differing significantly between bitter and sweet groups. Bitter accessions were enriched in lysine biosynthesis and stress-response pathways, whereas sweet accessions showed enrichment in phenylpropanoid and other defense-related processes. Coexpression network analysis linked protein …

Solvent-Dependent Proteome Profiling In Edible Mushrooms (Hypsizygus Marmoreus And Agaricus Bisporus), Tanvir Ahmed, O'Lone, Angéla Juhász, Utpal Bose, Kenneth U. Agbo, Netsanet Shiferaw Terefe, Michelle L. Colgrave

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study compared five solvents - urea, carbonate-bicarbonate, citrate, phosphate, and water - for their ability to extract proteins from beech (BM) (Hypsizygus marmoreus) and Swiss brown (SB) (Agaricus bisporus) mushrooms. Using mass spectrometry-based proteomics and bioinformatics, we found that urea produced the highest total protein identifications by data-dependent acquisition at 1% false discovery rate (FDR): BM: 1739, SB: 1907; and by data-independent acquisition: BM: 1969, SB: 2172 proteins, especially enriching cytosolic and ribosomal proteins. Carbonate-bicarbonate favoured the extraction of metabolic and translational proteins, while citrate targeted extracellular and membrane-associated proteins related to cell wall dynamics. Phosphate-enriched catalytically active proteins, …

Impact Of Salt Block Utilization During Dry-Aging On Pork Loin Microbial And Meat Quality, Cason H. Frisby

Food Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dry-aging and salt block utilization during dry aging on pork loin quality attributes. Pork loins were collected at 7 days postmortem, cut into three equal sections, and randomly assigned to wet aging (WA), traditional dry-aging (DA), and salt block dry-aging (SDA) groups to be aged for 28 days. During the dry-aging period, SDA cabinet exhibited lower humidity fluctuation (Avg. 71.52, St. Dev. 4.7) compared to DA cabinet (Avg 70.76, St. Dev. 7.9). Following the aging period, no differences were found in pH or Warner Bratzler shear force values between treatments (P>0.05). …

Precision To Protein: Comparative Characterization Of Printability, Physicochemical, And Nutritional Properties Of Cricket, Pea, And Whey Proteins In 3d-Printed Nutrition Bars, Sophia Hinkebein

Food Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Protein is a priority nutrient in the American diet, being fueled by the demands of weight loss drugs, diet culture, and new dietary guidelines. However, meeting these elevated protein goals sustainably requires diversifying beyond standard sources like whey protein isolate. 3D printing offers an opportunity to present a variety of protein sources in a palatable, customized, and consumer-acceptable format. In this study, 3 protein sources (cricket, whey, and pea), were optimized within food inks for 3D printing. Optimization involved different hydration levels, with whey requiring 7 grams of added water, cricket 22 grams, and pea the most at 47 grams. …

Exploring Google Trends In Assessing Personal Finance Needs For Cooperative Extension Service Programming, Megan Wells

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The Cooperative Extension Service (CES) relies on systematic needs assessments to guide program development; yet, traditional approaches often depend heavily on stakeholder input and professional judgment, offering limited insight into consumer level needs. This mixed methods study explored Google Trends as a complementary, consumer driven data source for assessing Family Resource Management (FRM) needs within the Arkansas CES. Grounded in Witkin and Altschuld’s three level needs assessment framework and Uses and Gratifications Theory, the study integrated three data sources representing stakeholders, service providers, and consumers: (1) Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) advisory committee reports, (2) survey of Family Consumer Science …

At The Intersection Of Science And Sustainability: A Qualitative Study Of Food Scientists' Personal And Professional Perspectives, Srushti Parikh

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Sustainable food systems require not only technological innovation but a more profound understanding of the professionals involved in the field. Even though the topic of sustainability is currently gaining importance throughout the food industry, the real expertise of food scientists is under-researched. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to explore food scientists' perspectives on sustainability, how these perceptions influence the way they pursue their careers, and how they view their impact in the larger sustainability agenda of the food industry. METHODS AND MATERIALS: This study captured detailed insights of 22 food scientists’ perspectives through qualitative methods. Food scientists in …

Exploring A 'Fishy' Solution: Uncovering Human Norovirus Using A Zebrafish Model, Sahaana Chandran

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Human norovirus (HuNoV) is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide; however, the lack of robust laboratory culture systems and reliable animal models has limited progress in understanding viral replication and developing effective intervention strategies. While alternative models such as the zebrafish system have been explored, gaps remain in evaluating their ability to support replication across diverse HuNoV strains and in identifying factors that influence infectivity. This dissertation provides a comprehensive investigation into the use of the zebrafish model for studying viral replication, host interactions, and potential inhibition strategies. Initial studies focused on optimizing viral delivery methods using Tulane virus …

Lipid Deposition In Beef Cattle, Kyra L. Elliott

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Both the amount and types of lipid deposition in beef cattle are key determinants of carcass value and meat quality. Amounts of intramuscular, subcutaneous, and visceral fat influence carcass grading outcomes, palatability, and composition traits that are important to beef producers as well as consumers. The objectives of this thesis were to: 1) compare beef grading camera estimates of intramuscular fat to amounts of chemically extractable lipid, 2) characterize the lipidomes of beef intramuscular fat, subcutaneous fat, and lean muscle using shotgun lipidomics, and 3) identify and characterize a novel genetic variant in cattle that may have important implications for …

Application Of High-Pressure Processing To Improve The Color Of Dark Beef, Kara Ann Reynolds

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Deviation of beef from the bright cherry-red color preferred by consumers is often discounted or discarded at retail, resulting in substantial annual economic loss to the beef industry. One such deviation is dark cutting beef, which is characterized by a darker lean appearance that is undesirable to consumers and often rejected. Similarly, beef from mature cattle tends to exhibit a darker surface color, which can also reduce consumer acceptability. High-Pressure processing (HPP) has been investigated as a strategy to improve the color of dark cutting beef. Previous studies have focused on identifying pressure levels and holding times that optimize color …

Advancing Targeted Food Allergen Detection: Extraction Optimization And Sample Preparation Method Comparison Using Lc-Ms/Ms, Zhenhao Wang

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

Accurate quantification of food allergens in processed foods by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) requires effective protein extraction and sample cleanup. However, no single sample preparation workflow has shown consistent performance across diverse food matrices. This study evaluated extraction buffer formulations and post-extraction cleanup strategies for quantification of milk, soy, and peanut allergens in multiple processed food matrices.

Six extraction buffers with varying combinations of SDS, urea, and thiourea alongside a common Tris-HCl/DTT/PVPP base were evaluated across five food matrices. No significant differences in extraction efficiency were observed among buffer formulations for nonfat dry milk (NFDM), non-roasted soy flour, peanut …

Impact Of Inhibiting Mitochondrial Calcium Uptake On Calcium Homeostasis And Postmortem Metabolism In Porcine Muscle, Fatema Rahaman Mishu

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

After harvesting the animal, pork muscle continues to undergo changes as it turns from muscle into meat. During this early period, the muscle uses up energy and produces acid, which lowers pH and can affect important quality traits such as color and how well the meat holds water. A key driver of these early changes is calcium, a natural mineral inside muscle cells that helps control contraction and energy use. In this study, we tested whether mitochondria (the cell’s “powerhouse”) help control calcium after harvest and, in turn, influence early postmortem changes in pork. We used a research compound (DS16570511) …