Research Publications (Food Safety)

Organic acids and essential oils are commonly used in the poultry industry as antimicrobials and for their beneficial effects on gut health, growth performance, and meat quality. A common postharvest storage fungal colonist, Aspergillus flavus, contaminates corn, the primary component of poultry feed, with the highly detrimental mycotoxin, aflatoxin.

by Jacob J. Capelle, Eva Hartog, Tony Wilkes, Tjeerd J. Bouma Aggregation into groups may affect performance of individuals through the balance and strength of facilitative versus competitive interactions. We studied in situ how seasonal variation in abiotic environment affects this balance for blue mussels, a semi-sessile species. We hypothesize that seasonal variation in stresses and resources affects the strength of the interaction.

Abstract Browning discoloration is a critical issue that negatively affects the quality of fresh‐cut products and their industrial growth. Although many individual anti‐browning technologies have been adopted, very few reports on the combination use of natural product extracts and physical methods exist.

Summary Improving tolerance to ethylene‐induced early senescence of flowers and fruits is of major economic importance for the ornamental and food industry. Genetic modifications of genes in the ethylene‐signalling pathway have frequently resulted in increased tolerance but often with unwanted side effects. Here, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to knockout the function of two CpEil1 genes expressed in flowers of the diploid ornamental plant Campanula portenschlagiana.

The aims of the present work were to evaluate consumers’ perceptions and purchasing habits in relation to fruit and vegetables and to determine the importance of the production type, price and geographical origin of such products for consumers’ purchasing decisions. For this purpose, an online consumer survey was conducted to determine Spanish people's opinions and consumption habits in relation to fruit and vegetables, especially those from organic farming.

Food chain contamination by soil lead (Pb), beginning with Pb uptake by leafy vegetables, is a threat to food safety and poses a potential risk to human health.

Table grapes are considered non-climacteric fruit, not showing a rapid increase in respiration rate and ethylene production during ripening. Previous research has suggested that abscisic acid (ABA) may have a more crucial role in grape postharvest behaviour. This study aimed to identify biomarkers of postharvest resilience and flavour life of imported table grapes.

Proanthocyanidins (PCs) extracted from ume have many well-known functional properties. The aim of this study was to explore a novel natural food preservative using ume plum pulp proanthocyanidins (UPPP). The crude product of PCs from ume plum was obtained by using ethanol as extraction solvent and ultrasonic-assisted extraction, and then the pure product of UPPP was obtained by purification with AB-8 resin.

Indoor, soilless production—often referred to more broadly as controlled environment agriculture (CEA)—is increasingly used for the cultivation of leafy greens. Minimal information is currently available regarding food safety practices during production and distribution of leafy greens grown within indoor, soilless environments in the United States (U.S.). This study aimed to describe production challenges and implementation of good agricultural practices among CEA growers.

The majority of fruits and vegetables are perishable, thus finding sustainable postharvest treatments to regulate the quality of fresh produce is imperative. Recent research has demonstrated that the exogenous application of hydrogen (H2)-associated treatments such as H2 gas or hydrogen-rich water (HRW), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) at optimal concentrations can significantly maintain the quality of postharvest fruits and vegetables.

Abstract The marine finfish and crustaceans contribute immensely to human nutrition. Harvesting marine food‐fish to meet the global demand has become a challenge due to reduction of the fishery areas and food safety hazards associated with increased pre‐harvest and post‐harvest contaminations. The causes of low fish availability and contaminations were reviewed following the published literature from 2000 to 2023.

Cold shock precooling with ice-water mixture (0 ± 2 °C) was innovatively utilized in this study to supposedly improve the postharvest quality of chili pepper fruit during storage at 10 ± 2 °C. The chili peppers were randomly exposed to four different treatment groups being without and with cold shock for 30 min, 60 min and 90 min.

The mango (Mangifera indica) is a fruit with high nutritional value. Fresh mango pulp remains highly prized by the local population for its highly attractive nutritional and organoleptic characteristics. Unfortunately, mango is a highly perishable seasonal product with shortages. To remedy this problem, the pulp was dried. Drying was carried out at 50°C and 60°C in an electric oven for 72 hours.

Pear (Pyrus L.) is one of the most important fruits in the world. Fruit dots are an important trait that affects pear quality. Abnormal fruit dots usually reduce the merchantability of pears. In this research, during cold storage, ‘Danxiahong’ pear fruit exhibited protrudent fruit dots on the peels. Microscopy system measurement showed that fruit dots size and height on the abnormal fruit peel were bigger and higher than the normal ones.

Demand for fresh vegetables has led to development studies in postharvest area mainly focused on minimizing and look for alternatives to chemical additives for food preservation. The use of natural derived edible coatings emerges as a promising alternative for maintaining quality of vegetables. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Aloe vera gel in minimally processed carrot during postharvest storage.

In the present study, Auricularia auricular polysaccharides (AAP) and Auricularia auricular proteins (AAPR) obtained from the waste products of Auricularia auricular were incorporated into pullulan (PUL) to obtain active packaging films/coatings. Results showed that incorporating AAP/AAPR into PUL-based films decreased their transparency, but increased the compactness, thermal stability, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties.

Storage is a fundamental part of the common bean postharvest chain that ensures a steady supply of safe and nutritious beans of acceptable cooking quality to the consumers.

Abstract Blackberries and raspberries, commonly known as Rubus berries, are commercially grown worldwide across different climates. Rubus berries contain wide array of phytochemicals, vitamins, dietary fibers, minerals, and unsaturated fatty acids. Nevertheless, these berries have short storage life which is the major constraint in their supply chains leading to higher postharvest losses.

Abstract BACKGROUND Non‐fried shiitake mushroom (Lentinula edodes) crisps fabricated by explosion puffing drying (EPD) are receiving worldwide attention due to its crispness, convenience, nutrition and health functions. The quality of mushroom crisps varies with storage time of fresh L. edodes. Therefore, the effect of postharvest storage time (ranging 0 – 14 d) of fresh L. edodes on quality characteristics of EPD processed mushroom crisps were evaluated.

Environmental quality and food safety is threatened by contamination of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) heavy metals in agricultural soils. Therefore, it is necessary to develop effective techniques for remediation of such soils. In this study, we prepared iron-modified biochar (Fe-BC) which combines the unique characteristics of pristine biochar (BC) and iron.

Sweet basil is a popular culinary herb used in many cuisines around the world and is widely grown commercially for retail as a live potted plant. However, basil is easily damaged by temperatures below 12 °C meaning plants must be transported from the grower to the retailer in a warm transport chain, adding considerable commercial cost in temperate countries.

Novel modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) formulation maintains the qualities of strawberries. Abstract For fresh foods, the purpose and benefits of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) generally include the preservation of antioxidants, the extension of shelf life, deferral of microbial spoilage, and retention of product color.

Abstract Background In an environment where the adoption of improved varieties resulting from plant breeding programs is limited, it is essential to identify end‐user preferences beforehand. A participatory survey was conducted in eight localities in Korhogo and Bouake regions, (central and northern Cote d'Ivoire, respectively) to identify producers' preferences and increase the adoption of improved varieties.

Effects of electrolyzed water‐ultrasound treatments on pesticide removal in fresh‐cut potatoes with different cutting methods. Abstract Electrolyzed water (EW) and ultrasound (US) treatment are emerging effective means of reducing pesticides in fresh‐cut vegetables. However, their synergetic efficacy of degrading pesticides in fresh‐cut potatoes has not yet been revealed.

Abstract The Ohio River Basin (ORB) is responsible for 35% of total nitrate loading to the Gulf of Mexico yet controls on nitrate timing require investigation. We used a set of submersible ultraviolet nitrate analyzers located at 13 stations across the ORB to examine nitrate loading and seasonality. Observed nitrate concentrations ranged from 0.3 to 2.8 mg L−1 N in the Ohio River's mainstem.