Control of Food-Borne Pathogens in Pre- and Post-Harvest Environments

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
712	1510	1000	50%
711	1820	1000	50%

Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Using an analytical approach and keeping with the ideologies of the Multistate Research Project, S1033, "Control of Food-Borne Pathogens in Pre- and Post-Harvest Environments" we have developed improved methods for detecting and measuring mycotoxins in agricultural commodities, foods, and feeds. Mycotoxins in human an animal food supplies have been a recognized safety issue for many years. As a result, a sustained international effort has been made to develop and improve methods for detecting and measuring these toxins in commodities, foods, and feeds. We have formed a partnership with Agilent Technologies and created the Agilent-MSU Food and Feed Safety Laboratory housed in the Hand Laboratory on the Mississippi State University campus, in Starkville, MS. Using the donated Agilent 6460 Series Triple Quadrupole LC/MS System, we expanded our total aflatoxin monitoring to include individual AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2, as well as fumonisins, ochratoxins, deoxynivalenol, and zearalenone detection, and implemented the research program "Monitoring Mycotoxin Contamination in Mississippi". In conjunction with our identification of gene-based markers for resistance to aflatoxin accumulation in corn by examination of the plant/pathogen/environment interactions study we have developed a sensitive LC/MS-MS single kernel aflatoxin detection method. To effectively manage agricultural crops, early detection and identification of plant pathogens is crucial. Specifically, the use of infrared spectroscopy is being evaluated as a means to detect the presence of toxigenic and atoxigenic strains of fungi on corn. PARTICIPANTS: One PhD (1 FTE and C. Ian Johnston)student worked on this project and 4 undergraduate students assisted. We hosted a workshop: MULTIDISCIPLINE AGILENT FTIR WORKSHOP. Clay Lyle RM 110, Mississippi State University, November 31, 2012, Attendance-22. TARGET AUDIENCES: These projects target scientific researchers, the farming community, and regulatory food and feed safety laboratories. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: We had originally planned to develop a NALDI-MS mycotoxin method. Although we did have some success with this method the result did not seem to be consistent across a variety of sample matrices. However, we have had success in using the MALDI instrument equipped with biotyper software to identify Aspergilli species. We expanded this idea of surface fungal fingerprinting for rapid identification using FT-IR. We are extremely excited about this as advances in FT-IR technologies make this a portable method. We have shown that infrared spectroscopy has the capability to successfully differentiate Aspergilli at the species and strain level. In our preliminary studies, we have successfully differentiated two species of Aspergillus and separated toxigenic from non-toxigenic strains of Aspergilli. This differentiation could prove valuable to plant pathologists in the monitoring of crops for toxigenic and non-toxigenic strains of Aspergilli, especially those crops treated with a competitive, non-toxigenic strain (such as Afla-Guard) to insure that crop safety is being maintained.

Impacts
Agriculture is Mississippi's leading industry generating $6.3 billion in revenue and employing approximately 29 % of the state's workforce. Last year MSCL used ELISA to test 752 corn-crop and 287 corn-based feed samples for total aflatoxin contamination. Aflatoxin concentrations ranged from 0-7800 ppb for corn and 0-190 ppb for corn-based feed samples. Last year the corn industry estimated a loss of $192 million. A breakthrough in mycotoxin detection or elimination would provide the American farmer with the tools to protect investments and remain competitive in the global market. Partnering with Agilent Technologies we have developed a LC-MSMS method to monitor individual aflatoxins. We have analyzed 410 corn samples from 6 counties, with soil pH ranging from 5.88-6.99, and aflatoxin concentrations of N.D.- 100 ppb. Coupling this data to weather conditions and agronomical practices we hope to elucidate an aflatoxin outbreak model. To control aflatoxin contamination of crops, non-toxigenic A. flavus isolates have been employed to competitively inhibit aflatoxigenic Aspergilli spp., and thus limit aflatoxin contamination. Under the commercial name Afla-Guard, a non-toxigenic strain of A. flavus has been employed to combat the effects of aflatoxin contamination of foods and food products by preventing the establishment of infection by toxigenic strains of Aspergillus in the field. With techniques using live organisms to combat aflatoxin contamination, a necessity arises in the monitoring of local populations of Aspergillus to insure that the desired competitive inhibition occurs. A rapid and cost effective technique is necessary to effectively identify strains of fungi in the field and establish that inhibition of toxigenic strains is occurring. Identification of filamentous fungi is most commonly done by cell morphology, biochemical assays, and molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Recently, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy has been extensively assessed for its ability to identify microorganisms based on their spectral profiles. These profiles are obtained from the vibrations of various chemical groups caused by the interaction of infrared light with these chemical groups present on the surface of the cell. FT-IR has already shown the capability to differentiate Aspergilli at the species and strain level. In our preliminary work, successful differentiation of A. parasiticus and A. flavus toxigenic and non-toxigenic strains was accomplished through the use of FT-IR and standard statistical methods. This differentiation could prove valuable to plant pathologists in the monitoring of crops for toxigenic and non-toxigenic Aspergilli strains to ensure crop safety.

Publications

Abstracts and Presentations: Ashli Brown, Darrell Sparks, Paul Williams, Jose Rodriguez, Stephanie Ward, Kevin Armbrust (2012) Monitoring Aflatoxin in Mississippi. Joint IFSH/FRI Mycotoxin Symposium, Rosemont, IL. April 12, 2012.
Cedric X. Reid, Christopher I. Johnston, Karl Bell, Erick Larson, Ashli Brown, Darrell Sparks (2012) Monitoring Aflatoxin Contamination of Corn in Mississippi. AOAC Southern Section Annual Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia. April 30- May 1.
Ashli Brown, Darrell Sparks, Cedric Reid, Andrew McDaniel, Olga Pechanova, Jose Rodriguez, Paul Williams (2012) Decreasing the Impact of Aflatoxin in Mississippi. Florida Pesticide Residue Workshop, St. Pete Beach, Florida. July 15-18.
Gale Hagood, Ashli Brown, Darrell Sparks, Cedric Reid, Andrew McDaniel, Olga Pechanova, Jose Rodriguez, Paul Williams (2012) Research Decreasing the Impact of Aflatoxin in Mississippi. AOAC International Annual Meeting and Expo, Las Vegas, Nevada. September 30- October 3.
Publications: Frahm, A.J., Ward, S.H., Brown Johnson, A., Sparks, D.L., Martin, J.M., Rude, B.J., Meiring, R. (2012) Case Study: Comparison of Fatty Acid Content in Homogenized and Non-homogenized Milk form Holstein and Jersey Cows. The Professional Animal Scientist. Accepted for Publication.
Olga Pechanova, Tibor Pechan, Jose M. Rodriguez, W. Paul Williams, Ashli E. Brown (2012) A two-dimensional proteome map of the aflatoxigenic fungus Aspergillus flavus. Proteomics. (In Press)
Johnston, I., Singleterry, R., Reid, C., Sparks, D., Baldwin, B., Hill-Ward, S., Williams, W.P., Brown, A. (2012) Fermentation of Aflatoxin Inoculated Corn. Natural Resources. 3(3) DOI10:4236/nr.2012.33017 .

Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/12

Outputs
Target Audience: Target audiences: These projects target scientific researchers, the farming community, and regulatory food and feed safety laboratories. Efforts: We hosted a workshop: MULTIDISCIPLINE AGILENT FTIR WORKSHOP. Clay Lyle RM 110, Mississippi State University, November 31, 2012, Attendance-22. Additionally, we have published our findings in peer reviewed journal and presented our research at scientific conferences. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nothing Reported How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? These project methodologies where involved in the mentoring of 4 graduate (resulting in the confirmation of three MS degrees and one PhD and 3 undergraduate students. The students and PI attended national scientific symposia and presented published abstracts. The data generated by these projects also resulted in the submission of 7 peer-reviewed publications. We have partnered with Agilent Technologies and formed the MSU-Agilent Food and Feed Safety Laboratory, accruing an Agilent QQQ-LC/MS for mycotoxin texting. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Keeping with ideologies of the Multistate Research Project, S1033, "Control of Food-Borne Pathogens in Pre- and Post-Harvest Environments" we propose to evaluate the biological degradation of aflatoxin, by Aspergilli, as well as investigate the use of binders to sequester aflatoxin in fermented corn products. Our objective is two-fold: first, to investigate and define the proteome, as well as the associated genes of selected stains involved in the degradation or modification of aflatoxins and second, and asses the utility of binders in order to lower mycotoxin concentrations in the ethanol byproduct, distiller’s grain, important for livestock feed. To effectively manage agricultural crops, early detection and identification of plant pathogens is crucial. Specifically, the use of infrared spectroscopy is being evaluated as a means to detect the presence of toxigenic and atoxigenic strains of fungi on corn. This technology is also being applied to monitor soybean rot and rust. The spectra generated by handheld FTIR technology could prove valuable to plant pathologists in biological control monitoring and fungal infestation management, avoiding crop losses that total millions of dollars. The ultimate goal of this research is to provide an effective, easy-to-use tool to county extension agents for identifying agricultural phytopathogens.

Publications

Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Ian Johnston, Rebecca Singleterry, Ashli Brown, Kevin Armburst, Darrell Sparks (2011) Optimization of Mycotoxin Binding in Grains. 242nd ACS National Meeting, Denver, CO. (August 28- September 1).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Andrew McDaniel, Darrell Sparks, William Holmes, W. Paul Williams, Ashli Brown (2011) Correlation Between Aspergillus flavus Volatiles and Aflatoxin Production. AOAC Southern Section Annual Meeting. Atlanta, GA. (April 10-12).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Cedric X. Reid, Christopher I. Johnston, Karl Bell, Erick Larson, Ashli Brown, Darrell Sparks (2012) Monitoring Aflatoxin Contamination of Corn in Mississippi. AOAC Southern Section Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA. (April 30- May 1).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Erika Womack, Stephanie Hill, Darrell Sparks, Ashli Brown (2012) Evaluation of Adsorbent for Removal of Aflatoxin M1 from Contaminated Milk. AOAC Southern Section Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA. (April 30- May 1).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Olga Pechanova, Tibor Pechan, Jose Rodriguez, W. Paul Williams, Ashli Brown (2012) 2D Reference Map of the Aflatoxingenic Fungus Aspergillus flavus. America Society for Mass Spectrometry, Vancouver, Canada. (May 20-24).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: *Ashli Brown, Darrell Sparks, Cedric Reid, Andrew McDaniel, Olga Pechanova, Jose Rodriguez, Paul Williams (2012) Decreasing the Impact of Aflatoxin in Mississippi. Florida Pesticide Residue Workshop, St. Pete Beach, FL. (July 15-18).
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Smith, W.E.; Shivaji, R.; Williams, W.P.; Luthe, D.S.; Sandoya, G.V.; Smith, C.L.; Sparks, D.L.; *Brown, A.E. (2012) A Maize Line Resistant to Herbivory Constitutively Releases (E)-beta-Caryophyllene. Journal of Economic Entomology. 105(1):120-128.
Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2010 Citation: Singleterry, R.B. (2010) Comparing Detection Methods of Aflatoxin and Exploring Aflatoxin Decontamination Methods. Published Thesis. Mississippi State University.
Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2010 Citation: Smith, W.C. (2011) Detection and Characterization of a Volatile Compound as a Response to Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera Frugiperda) Feeding in Maize (Zea Mays). Published Thesis. Mississippi State University.
Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2011 Citation: Mylroie, J.E. (2012) Characterization of Two Genes for Resistance to Aflatoxin Accumulation in Maize (Zea mays L.) Published Dissertation. Mississippi State University.
Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2013 Citation: Atkinson, C.M. (2013) Differentiation of Fungal Phytopathogens by FT-IR and MALDI-TOF MS. Published Thesis. Mississippi State University
Type: Journal Articles Status: Under Review Year Published: 2013 Citation: Womack, E.; *Brown, A.; *Sparks, D.L. (2013) A Recent Review of the Degradation of Aflatoxins Via Physical Means. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. Submitted July 2013.
Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2013 Citation: Atkinson, C.; Pechanova, O.; Sparks, D.L.; *Brown, A.; *Rodriquez, J.M. (2013) Differentiation of Aflatoxigenic and Non-Aflatoxigenic Strains of Aspergilli by FT-IR Spectroscopy. Applied Spectroscopy. Accepted.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Pechanova, O.; *Pechan, T.; Rodriguez, J.M; Williams, W.P.; *Brown, A.E. (2013) A Two-Dimensional Proteome Map of the Aflatoxigenic Fungus Aspergillus flavus. Proteomics. 13(9):1513-1518.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Brown, A.E.; Sparks, D.L.; *Brocato, D.K. (2012) Studio Bio-Analytical Studio Bio-analytical: Using a Unique Interdisciplinary Combination of Topic Choice, Lecturing, Field Experience, and Laboratory Skills Preparation. American Educational Research Association Online Paper Repository. 4:1-21.
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Johnston, C.I.; Singleterry, R.; Reid, C.X.; Sparks, D.L; Baldwin, B.; Hill-Ward, S.; Williams, W.P.; *Brown, A. (2012) The Fate of Alfatoxin in Corn Fermentation. Natural Resources. 3(3):126-136.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: **Ashli Brown, Darrell Sparks, Paul Williams, Jose Rodriguez, Stephanie Ward, Kevin Armbrust (2012) Monitoring Aflatoxin in Mississippi. Joint IFSH/FRI Mycotoxin Symposium, Rosemont, IL. (April 12).
Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: McDaniel, A.; Holmes, W.E.; Armbrust, K.L.; *Sparks, D.L.; *Brown, A.E. (2011) Effect of Martix Clean-Up for Aflatoxin Analysis in Corn and Dried Distillers Grains. Natural Resources. 2:250-257.
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: **Ashli Brown, Xueyan Shan, Darrin F. Roberts, Paul Williams, Marilyn Warburton, Gary Windham, Robert Kemerait, Boazhu Guo, Zhi-Yuan Chen, S. Brooks Blanche, Dawn S. Luthe, Alisa Huffaker, Eric Schmelz (2013) Identification of Gene-Based Markers for Resistance to Aflatoxin Accumulation in Corn by Examination of the Plant/Pathogen/Environment Interactions. Commodity Classic, Kissimmee, FL. (February 26-March 2).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Ashli Brown, Curtis Atkinson, Darrell Sparks (2013) Identification of Agricultural Phytopathogens by Mobile FTIR. ASTS-Environmental and Food Safety Series Webinar Sponsored by Agilent Technologies and ACS. (March 5).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Alka Tiwari, W. Paul Williams, J. Erik Mylroie, Gary L. Windham, Ashli Brown, Xueyan Shan (2013) Computational Analysis of 2D Protein Gel Images for Identification of Differentially Expressed Proteins Associated with Resistance to Aflatoxin Accumulation in Maize. MCBIOS Annual Meeting, Columbia, MO. (April 5-7).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2013 Citation: Curtis Atkinson, Darrell Sparks, Ashli Brown, Jose Rodriguez (2013) Toxigenicity Detection by FT-IR. 245th ACS National Meeting, New Orleans, LA. (April 7-11).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Cedric X. Reid, Christopher I. Johnston, Karl Bell, Erick Larson, Ashli Brown, Darrell Sparks (2012) Monitoring Aflatoxin Contamination of Corn in Mississippi. AOAC Southern Section Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA. (April 30- May 1).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: Curtis Atkinson, Olga Pechanova, Jose Rodriguez, Darrell Sparks, Ashli Brown (2012) Rapid Identification of Filamentous Fungi. AOAC Southern Section Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA. (April 30-May 1).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2012 Citation: *Curtis Atkinson, Olga Pechanova, Jose Rodriguez, Ashli Brown, Darrell Sparks (2012) MALDI-TOF-MS as a Tool for Soybean Fungal Pathogen Identification. Asilomar Conference, Pacific Grove, CA. (October 18-21).
Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2011 Citation: Whitney Smith, Renuka Shivaji, W. Paul Williams, Dawn Luthe, G. V. Sandoya, Chad Smith, Ashli Brown. (2011) A Maize (Zea mays) Line Resistant to Herbivory Constitutively Releases (E)-?-Caryophyllene. 242nd ACS National Meeting, Denver, CO. (August 28- September 1).

Progress 01/01/11 to 12/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Keeping with ideologies of the Multistate Research Project, S1033, "Control of Food-Borne Pathogens in Pre- and Post-Harvest Environments" we propose to evaluate the biological degradation of aflatoxin, by Aspergilli, as well as investigate the use of binders to sequester aflatoxin in fermented corn products. Our objective is two-fold: first, to investigate and define the proteome, as well as the associated genes of selected stains involved in the degradation or modification of aflatoxins and second, and asses the utility of binders in order to lower mycotoxin concentrations in the ethanol byproduct, distiller's grain, important for livestock feed. Additionally, in an effort to reduce soybean crop losses, we are developing spectrometric techniques that will be able to identify specific types of fungi in field samples. We are exploring MALDI-TOF, Microscope FT-IR and Microscope Raman Spectroscopy. The best technology will be selected and spectral libraries will be generated for these identifications. Ultimately, field personnel will be trained on its use. With the use of the generated data, county agents could minimize crop losses. These project methodologies where involved in the mentoring of 4 graduate (resulting in the confirmation of one MS degree, August 2011) and 2 undergraduate students. The students and PI attended 3 national scientific symposia and presented 5 published abstracts. The data generated by these projects also resulted in the submission of 4 peer-reviewed publications. We have partnered with Agilent Technologies and formed the MSU-Agilent Food and Feed Safety Laboratory, accruing an Agilent QQQ-LC/MS for mycotoxin texting. PARTICIPANTS: To accomplish our specific goals we have assembled a multi-disciple team highly experienced in mycotoxin research, analytical method development, and mass spectrometry. This diverse team forms a unique collaboration between the Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology and Plant Pathology Department, Mississippi State Chemical Laboratory, the USDA, ARS Corn Host Resistant Unit, and an Agilent Technologies to elucidate resistance mechanism and better understand the complex host pathogen interaction. The ultimate goal is to manage fungal infestation, avoid crop losses and improve food and feed safety. The PI's (Dr. Ashli Brown and Dr. Darrell Sparks) are both Assistant Professors in the Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Entomology, and Pant Pathology at Mississippi State University are they oversee and manage the research projects, as well as mentor students. Mr. Ian Johnston is a PhD student working on mycotoxin binding. Mr. Karl Bell is a MS student involved in multiple aspects of analytical method development. Mr. Curtis Atkinson is also a MS student investigating the efficacy of using FT-IR (Fourier-Transform Infared) for the identification of common soybean fungal phyto-pathogens. Mr. Andrew McDaniel graduated with is MS degree in Agricultural Science in August 2011. Much of his work focused on the correlation between A. flavus volatiles and aflatoxin production. Mr. Cedric Reid a biochemistry undergraduate assists all of the graduate students. TARGET AUDIENCES: These projects target scientific researchers, the farming community, and regulatory food and feed safety laboratories. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
We have constructed a two-dimensional proteome reference map of the aflatoxigenic fungus Asperillus flavus. In this study, we performed the first gel-based profiling analysis of the A. flavus proteome. Using 2-DE and MALDI-TOF-MSMS, we identified 536 mycelial proteins, which the majority of were functionally annotated as related to various cellular metabolic processes and biosynthesis. Additionally, a few enzymes from aflatoxin synthesis pathway were also identified. A binding study using Alltech binder 290293 and Sigma Distillers Grain and Solubles (DDG) was performed which found an optimal Aflatoxin binding percentage of 72.51 percent utilizing a 2 percent binder versus grain mixture that is permissible in feed by the FDA. The focus of this experiment was to determine the optimal conditions for binding alflatoxin using the Alltech binder, which uses extracted cell walls of yeast to sequester the aflatoxin. This is important since once the grain/binder mixture has been digested, the pH environment of the gut can alter the silicate's binding activity and, in many instances, neutralize its binding ability and releases aflatoxins from the silicates entering the blood stream. There appears to be a binding saturation point nearing 75 percent when using 2 percent binder by weight. This is important because the FDA has decreed that you cannot have more than 2 percent binder in feed. At acidic pH levels, the yeast binder appears lose their ability to effectively sequester aflatoxins. At higher pH, there is an irreversible inactivation of Aflatoxin. Cold temperatures appear to inhibit binding while warm temperature has little effect. Our research holds the potential to minimize the entry of aflatoxins into the food chain, which would increase profit margins for producers and provide the agricultural community with effective research strategies for fight against the aflatoxin contamination and insect attack. This will ultimately improve stakeholder's economy, production effectiveness, and protect the consumer by improving the food safety at national level. To investigate the efficacy of using FT-IR (Fourier-Transform Infared) for the identification of common soybean fungal phyto-pathogens, two species of fungi have been selected. Macrophomina phaseolina, the common cause of charcoal rot, and Thielaviopsis basicola, the common cause of root rot, were used. Preliminary findings suggest that FT-IR is a suitable candidateThe development of this technology in conjunction with the spectral libraries and multivariate analysis will allow technicians the ability to rapidly identify the specific fungus present on soybeans. Additionally, this data could be coupled to other variables like weather, soil pH and location and provide crucial information on the complex relationship between fungi and the host soybean plant. Therefore, we can manage fungal infestation and avoid crop losses that will total millions of dollars.

Publications

Smith, W.E.C., Williams W.P., Shivaji R., Luthe D.S., Smith, C., Brown A.E. (2011) A Maize (Zea mays) Line Resistant to Herbivory Constitutively Releases (E)-β-Caryophyllene. Journal of Economic Entomology. (In Press).
Pechanova, O., Pechan, T., Rodriguez, J.M., Williams, W.P., Brown, A.E. (2011) A Two-Dimensional Proteome Reference Map Of The Aflatoxigenic Fungus Asperillus flavus. Proteomics. (Pending).
Whitney Smith, Renuka Shivaji, W. Paul Williams, Dawn Luthe, G. V. Sandoya, Chad Smith, Ashli Brown. (2011) A Maize (Zea mays) Line Resistant to Herbivory Constitutively Releases (E)-β-Caryophyllene. 242nd ACS National Meeting, Denver, Colorado, August 28- September 1.
Ian Johnston, Rebecca Singleterry, Ashli Brown, Kevin Armburst, Darrell Sparks (2011) Optimization of Mycotoxin Binding in Grains. 242nd ACS National Meeting, Denver, Colorado, August 28- September 1.
Andrew McDaniel, Darrell Sparks, William Holmes, W. Paul Williams, Ashli Brown (2011) Correlation Between Aspergillus flavus Volatiles and Aflatoxin Production. AOAC International Annual Meeting. Atlanta, Georgia. April 10-12.
Ian Johnston, Rebecca Singleterry, Darrell Sparks, Joanna King, Ashli Brown (2011) Mycotoxin Binding Optimization. AOAC International Annual Meeting. Atlanta, Georgia. April 10-12.
Ashli Brown, Xia Kang, Kevin Armbrust, Gale Hagood, Joe Jewell, Dale Diaz, N. Gatian, Henry Folmer (2011) Monitoring Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Seafood in Mississippi in Response to the Gulf Oil Spill. Gulf Oil Spill SETAC Focused Topic Meeting, Pensacola Beach, Florida, April 26-28.
McDaniel, A., Sparks, D.L., Holmes, W.E., Williams, W.P., Armbrust, K.L., Brown, A.E. (2011) Comparison of Matrix Clean-up Techniques for Aflatoxin Analysis in Corn and Dried Distillers Grains. Natural Resources. 2(4) online.
Singleterry, R.B., Baldwin, B., Sparks, D.L., Thomas, B., Holmes, W.E., Armbrust, K., Brown, A.E. (2011) Investigation of Aflatoxin Inoculated Corn (Zea mays) During Ethanol Fermentation Using LC-MS/MS and Immunoassay Detection Methods. Mississippi Academy of Science Journal. (Pending).