A5007728144- Listeria monocytogenes in Food Safety
- Food Safety and Hygiene
- Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity
- Fecal contamination and water quality
- Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiology
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Food Supply Chain Traceability
- Microbial Inactivation Methods
- Postharvest Quality and Shelf Life Management
- Plant Pathogenic Bacteria Studies
- Botanical Research and Chemistry
- Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies
- Wastewater Treatment and Reuse
- Interprofessional Education and Collaboration
- Spectroscopy and Chemometric Analyses
- Growth and nutrition in plants
- Plant Pathogens and Fungal Diseases
- Social Work Education and Practice
- Irrigation Practices and Water Management
- Plant Surface Properties and Treatments
- Edible Oils Quality and Analysis
- Vibrio bacteria research studies
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Service-Learning and Community Engagement
Virginia Tech
2023-2025
Washington State University
2020-2022
University of Tennessee at Knoxville
2017-2020
The 2014 caramel apple listeriosis outbreak was traced back to cross-contamination between food contact surfaces (FCS) of equipment used for packing and fresh apples. For Washington state, the leading producer in United States with 79% its total production directed market, managing risk contamination Listeria monocytogenes within environment is crucial. objectives this study were determine prevalence spp. on FCS state packinghouses over two seasons identify those types greatest likelihood...
Harvest bags, if not properly cleaned and sanitized, can serve as sources of microbial contamination, making it vital to understand pathogen survival on these surfaces inform sanitation best practices. The objective was assess the generic Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella enterica harvest bag materials: 100% canvas, nylon, Cordura. Coupons from each material were inoculated with rifampicin-resistant strains E. coli or 5-strain cocktails L. monocytogenes S. at ca. 7.3±0.1...
Food contact surfaces, including harvest bags, are potential vectors for cross-contamination in produce operations, yet recommendations their sanitation limited. This study evaluated the efficacy of wet- and dry-based sanitizers reducing Listeria monocytogenes Salmonella on two bag materials, canvas, Cordura®. Coupons (25cm2) were inoculated with 5-strain cocktails L. or (∼7 log CFU/coupon) before treatment. Treatments included chlorine (200 ppm; pH 7), peroxyacetic acid (PAA; 200 ppm),...
The United States is a leading producer of pecans globally. Despite significant contributions to the nation’s gross domestic product, little food safety guidance currently exists for pecan shellers. This survey identified typical practices subset North American A 24-question Qualtrics online was distributed shellers directly or through Cooperative Extension, commodity group, association avenues. More than half had plan in place (56.5%, 13/23) and treated in-shell with hot water steam 13/23),...
No Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chemical treatments for preharvest agricultural water are currently labeled to reduce human health pathogens. The goal of this study was examine the efficacy peracetic acid- (PAA) and chlorine (Cl)-based sanitizers against Salmonella in Virginia irrigation water. Water samples (100 mL) were collected at three time points during growing season (May, July, September) inoculated with either 7-strain EPA/FDA-prescribed cocktail or a 5-strain produce-borne...
Produce-borne outbreaks of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) linked to preharvest water emphasize the need for efficacious treatment options. This study quantified reductions STEC and generic E. in agricultural using commercially available sanitizers. Water was collected from two sources Virginia (pond, river) inoculated with either a seven-strain panel or environmental strain TVS 353 (∼9 log10 CFU/100 mL). Triplicate samples were equilibrated 12 32°C treated peracetic acid (PAA)...
Soil can be a route for contamination of fresh fruits and vegetables. While growers routinely manage soil nutrient levels, little research exists on the synergistic or antagonistic effects nutrients foodborne pathogens. Data pathogen prevalence in unamended soils is also relatively limited literature. This study evaluated ( Salmonella , Listeria monocytogenes ) concentration indicator bacteria (total coliforms, generic Escherichia coli agricultural soils, characterized associations between...
A broad understanding of community member food safety priorities in the fresh produce supply chain does not currently exist. This information is essential to improve knowledge and practices effectively efficiently throughout industry; therefore, goal this study was identify rank United States. Survey questions were designed approved by experts for participants 24 priorities. The anonymous survey distributed online via Qualtrics™ members from November 2020 May 2021. score calculated each...
Graduate social work pedagogy is challenging to diverse faculty and students who with clients, often in international practice. We discuss the development, outcomes, assessment of an assignment designed stimulate students' research on proverbs as cultural resources for practice promote attainment six competencies related diversity justice Council Social Work Education's Educational Policy Accreditation Standards. used procedures from grounded theory Atlas.ti analyze 40 student papers. More...
Abstract Outbreaks of Salmonellosis have been traced to contaminated tomato. The produce production environment poses a risk for Salmonella contamination; however, little is known about the effects pest management practices on during production. study objective was evaluate pesticide application inactivation tomato leaves. Thirty greenhouse‐grown plants were inoculated with S. enterica serovars Newport or Typhimurium. Inoculation performed by dipping leaves in an 8‐log CFU/mL suspension...
Flies are a vector for spreading foodborne pathogens pertinent to fresh produce, such as Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella; however, most studies focus on concentrated animal feeding operations, which do not reflect low-density farming practices that often adjoin fruit vegetable acreage. In this study, we determined the prevalence of Salmonella in flies collected biweekly an integrated produce operation over two growing seasons. Eleven 889 pooled samples tested positive...
Environmental Monitoring Programs (EMPs) have been historically implemented in processing facilities, with more recent application raw agricultural commodity packing operations. EMPs verify effectiveness of sanitation programs and reduce harborage/niches microorganisms. While benefits are well recognized, there has not a formal survey produce packers adopting these to determine their scope, including information on sampling targets frequency by environmental zone. Approximately 62.5% (40/62...
Ground covers areused inproduce production to enhance plant growth and control diseases pests. While various factors are considered when selecting commercial ground covers, food safety, particularly the survival of foodborne pathogens, is often overlooked. This study aimed assess ofSalmonellaon different including biodegradable mulch, landscape fabric, plastic mulch. New rolls each cover were cut fit a 100 x 15 mm petri dish spot inoculated with seven-strainSalmonellacocktail at...
Apples are the most consumed fruit in United States and have recently been shown to exhibit some vulnerability contamination across supply chain. It is unclear what role a microbiome analysis may serve future food safety programs interested understanding changes product processing environment. Ultimately, sample integrity key if any of these approaches be employed; low microbial loads on apple surfaces, inability entire surface, inefficiency removal act as barriers achieving high-quality...
Recent apple-related recall and outbreak events have exposed a need for better food safety controls along the supply chain. Following harvest, apples can be stored under controlled atmosphere up to 1 year after harvest before packing distribution, making crop susceptible many opportunities contamination that increase quantity of postharvest losses. Botrytis cinerea Penicillium expansum cause significant rot-associated losses apple industry. These fungi colonize destroy tissue as storage...
Previous foodborne listeriosis outbreaks and recalls of fresh produce have been linked to cross-contamination with food contact surfaces (FCS) packing equipment. Thus, effective cleaning sanitation practices should be implemented in the short-term compensate for FCS that a suboptimal hygienic design. This research aimed evaluate efficacy seven treatment combinations against Listeria innocua populations on common packinghouses found higher prevalence spp. harborage. Polishing brushes made two...