Source: MIRTECH, INC. submitted to
DEVELOPMENT OF NOVEL PEROXIDE-BASED, BROAD-SPECTRUM ANTIMICROBIAL COMPLEX FOR WHOLE AND FRESH-CUT PRODUCE APPLICATIONS
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
SMALL BUSINESS GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1029939
Grant No.
2023-70444-39327
Cumulative Award Amt.
$174,973.00
Proposal No.
2023-00514
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jul 1, 2023
Project End Date
Feb 28, 2025
Grant Year
2023
Program Code
[8.5]- Food Science & Nutrition
Project Director
Mir, N.
Recipient Organization
MIRTECH, INC.
20 LYNN CT
NORTH BRUNSWICK,NJ 089022700
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Due to the customer demand for convenience and healthy choices, the market for pre-cut produce has been growing significantly. However, this value-added produce is prone to significant microbial risks, leading to an alarming number of recalls in recent years. Since post-harvest washing is critical for mitigating this problem, several produce processors have encouraged us to develop a more effective and convenient disinfectant that can be approved by the FDA for safe, direct food contact, and no-rinse 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. Its goal is to ensure food safety, minimize recalls, and promote healthy fresh produce consumption.
Animal Health Component
30%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
50%
Applied
30%
Developmental
20%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
71250101103100%
Knowledge Area
712 - Protect Food from Contamination by Pathogenic Microorganisms, Parasites, and Naturally Occurring Toxins;

Subject Of Investigation
5010 - Food;

Field Of Science
1103 - Other microbiology;
Goals / Objectives
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.
Project Methods
The objective of Phase I is to demonstrate the technical feasibility of developing the FAD and to improve the market strategy. The sub-objectives are to (1) optimize the formulation to achieve high loading of active ingredients,(2) determine the optimal concentration and usage level of the FAD formulation, (3) test the bio-efficacy of the formulation, and (4) collaborate with our partners and the produce industry to improve the technical feasibility and commercial viability of our product.

Progress 07/01/23 to 06/30/24

Outputs
Target Audience:Our target audiences are fresh produce processors, retailers, and consumers. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Four students from the Food Science Department at Rutgers University participated in this research project, gaining valuable hands-on research experience. As a result, three undergraduate students successfully advanced to Masters programs in Food Science. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We presented our research and findings to our industrial partners, receiving positive feedback and strong interest. We are now conducting trials with them on both whole and fresh-cut produce. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?We are currently conducting trials with our industrial partners on whole and fresh-cut produce to evaluate the bio-efficacy of the selected formulations. The trials are expected to be completed by early next year.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Supported by Rutgers University and industry partners, we have made significant progress toward this objective, with two technical objectives successfully achieved and our research activities progressing as planned.

Publications