DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL PEROXIDE-BASED, BROAD-SPECTRUM ANTIMICROBIAL COMPLEX FOR WHOLE AND FRESH-CUT PRODUCE APPLICATIONS

This proposed project addresses Research Priority 1: "Food safety" in Topic Area 8.5, Food Science and Nutrition by developing a food-grade antimicrobial disinfectant (FAD) powder to mitigate foodborne hazards during post-harvest processing and distribution of fresh produce.One major goal of our FAD is to provide consumers with safe and healthy foods and to provide processors with convenience,fewer product recalls, higher revenues, and higher profits. Another major goal is to meet sustainability needs through cleanlabels, organic use, and reduced packaging/storage needs.