Progress 07/15/08 to 07/14/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: 1. We have developed an annual cropping system at Lind, WA with drip irrigation that allows us to consistently reproduce severe drought conditions. We have developed wheat lines that have approximately 75-87% of their genes from the PNW spring wheat lines Louise or Hollis, a soft white spring wheat and a hard red spring wheat, respectively. These lines also carry genes from drought tolerant synthetic wheat germplasm. These lines have formed the basis of several projects to map drought resistant genes and incorporate them into wheat varieties for low rainfall environments. We have also made two breeding populations to generate facultative wheat lines for testing as lines that can be planted in either fall, winter or spring and perform well in the low rainfall regions. The two populations were made in hard red and soft white genetic backgrounds. Another genetic mapping population we made will focus on water use efficiency. It was made by crossing Hollis to Drysdale, an Australian variety that was selected for very high water use efficiency. 2. We have made substantial progress in determining the mechanism of microbial cell injury and death caused by natural components in foods, principally antioxidants and sulfur containing compounds. The development of spectroscopic methods which this grant supported has provided us with the tools to be able to conduct this novel and important work. We have submitted invention disclosure regarding the use of these compounds, in a pure form and as an extract, as antimicrobial treatment for contact surfaces and as a natural preservative in food. 3. Multilayer polymeric films and polymeric films containing engineered nanoparticles (ENPs) are being increasing recognized as potential gas barrier structures for food packaging intended for microwave assisted (MATS) and pressure-assisted thermal sterilization (PATS). This study evaluated the influence of PATS on two state-of-the-art multilayer ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) films. PATS had a significant influence on the oxygen barrier properties of the two films. The state-of-the-art 7-layer film B (PET//PP/tie/Nylon 6/EVOH/Nylon 6/tie/PP) containing 27 mol% ethylene showed superior oxygen barrier properties compared to film A PET//EVOH//PP. A recovery in the oxygen transmission rates (OTRs) of the two films occurred during storage. The films also showed changes in the total melting enthalpy measured during the storage period, which was used to explain the changes in the oxygen barrier properties. The OTR of both films remained below 2cc/m2-day, which is required in packaging applications for shelf-stable foods with a one-year shelf life. This work demonstrates the advantages of using multilayer films containing EVOH as the barrier layer in PATS applications to produce shelf-stable foods. Another study investigated the migration behavior of ENPs from polymeric films into a food simulating liquid (FSL) after microwave and thermal sterilization, and during storage period of 30 days at 40oC. The reduced concentration of silicon migration in nanocomposite films presents an added advantage over coated films as gas barrier layers for thermal sterilization applications. PARTICIPANTS: Scot Hulbert was responsible for design, planting, and irrigating parts of the wheat germplasm nursery at Lind. Kim Campbell and Camille Steber also provide germplasm and assistance. Bill Pan characterizes water use in different germplasm in parts of the nursery using soil probes. Surya Shrestha is a graduate student working on the project. She is working towards a PhD degree in Crop and Soil Sciences with an emphasis on breeding and genetics. Drs. Barbara Rasco, Shyam Sablani, Gustavo V. Barbosa-Canovas, and Juming Tang. In addition, Ph.D. student Sumeet Dhawan of Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU, Pullman. TARGET AUDIENCES: Wheat breeders and seed dealers in the Pacific Northwest and wheat growers in the low/intermediate rainfall region. The Lind field day is a perfect opportunity to reach our target audience. We also describe the work at other field tours. Food processing and polymer processing companies. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
1. We have already mapped one gene that provides advantages in low rainfall environments and are crossing this gene into the cultivar Louise. The affect of this gene appears to photoperiod insensitivity that makes the wheat head a few days earlier than lines without it. We will not test this idea to determine if this is a trait we should incorporate into all our PNW spring wheat cultivars for the low rainfall area. 2. Significant impact is likely from this research. We have determined that natural plant components, both antioxidants and sulfur containing compounds in Allium sp. plants are highly affective killing planktonic cells of important food borne pathogens (Listeria, Escherichia, and Campylobacter spp) and also in causing death of sessile cells in bacterial biofilms, specifically in Camplyobacter jejuni. Diallyl sulfide and related compounds are particularly effective, and at the same molar concentration, are >100 times more lethal than ciprofloxacin and erythromycin against C. jejuni. We are currently exploring the possibility of using extract of Allium sp. and extracted organosulfur compounds for treatment of biofilms on food contact surfaces, in foods as a preservative. We also plan on exploring clinical applications (dental biofilms) and as a therapeutic agent. The level of diallyl sulfide or garlic extract that would be needed to obtain antimicrobial activity would not have a negative impact on the sensory characteristics of the food. Most likely food applications would be ready-to-eat prepared meats and salads (e.g. pasta salads), sauces and dressings and prepared entrees. We have had numerous interviews with national press and media about this work. Recent publications have been featured by both the American Chemical Society and American Society of Microbiology. As a component of this project we have continued to improve our methodology for detection of cell injury and death using spectroscopic methods including Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy including Raman mapping of individual bacterial cells. From this work, we have been able to determine the mode of action of natural antimicrobial compounds and processing technologies (chemical treatment, freezing, dehydration, irradiation) for causing microbial cell injury and death. 3. The research provides fundamental knowledge on how thermal, microwave and high hydrostatic pressure fields affects morphology of packaging polymers. The study investigates performance of high barrier multilayer, nanocoated and nanocomposite structures after microwave and high pressure assisted sterilization processes thus contributes towards advancing the commercialization of MW and HO technologies for sterilization of low acid foods recently approved by US Food and Drug Administration. This research helped build a strong platform to conduct fundamental and industrial research in the area of advanced thermal processing technologies and novel polymer packaging technologies.
Publications
- Lu X., Al-Qadiri H.M., Lin M., Rasco B.A., 2011. Application of mid-infrared and Raman spectroscopy to the study of bacteria. Food and Bioprocess Technology, 4, 919-935. (IF 2010: 3.576).
- Dhawan, S., Barbosa-Canovas, G.V., Tang, J. and Sablani, S. S., 2011. Oxygen barrier and enthalpy of melting of multilayer EVOH films after pressure-assisted thermal processing and during storage, Journal of Applied Polymer Science 122: 1538-1545.
- Dhawan, S., Tang, J., Barbosa-Canovas, G. V., and Sablani, S. S., 2011. Transport of engineered nanoparticles from nanocomposite and coated polymeric films into food simulating liquid, International Microwave Power Institute, New Orleans, LA June 08-1.
- Dhawan, S., Barbosa-Canovas, G. V., Tang, J., and Sablani, S. S., 2011. Migration of selected metals from nanocomposite and coated polymeric films into food simulating liquid during thermal sterilization, Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) Annual meeting, New Orleans, LA, June 11-14.
- Lu X., Shin J., and Rasco B., 2010. Variations of FT-IR spectra features of Listeria monocytogenes as a result of injury due to antimicrobial treatments. Pacific Fisheries Technologists 61th Annual Meeting, oral presentation. Seattle, Washington. Feb 21-24, 2010.
- Wang J., Lu X., Yue T., Yuan Y., Shin J., and Rasco B., 2010. Rapid discrimination of Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris strain by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics. Institute of Food Technologists 2010 Annual Meeting, poster presentation. Chicago, Illinois. July 17-21, 2010.
- Lu X. and Rasco B.A., 2011. Using of infrared spectroscopy to study the survival and injury of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Campylobacter jejuni and Pseudomonas aeruginosa under cold stress in low nutrient media. Institute of Food Technologists 2011 Annual Meeting, poster presentation. New Orleans, Louisiana. June 11-14, 2011.
- Lu X., Ross, C.F., Powers, J.R., Rasco, B.A., 2011. Determination of total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of onion (Allium cepa) and shallot (Allium oschaninii) using infrared spectroscopy. Institute of Food Technologists 2011 Annual Meeting, poster presentation. New Orleans, Louisiana. June 11-14, 2011.
- Lu X., Rasco, B.A., Lin, M., Konkel, M., 2011. Investigating antibacterial mechanisms of garlic (Allium sativum) concentrate and garlic-derived organosulfur compounds on Campylobacter jejuni using FT-IR spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and electron microscope. Institute of Food Technologists 2011 Annual Meeting, poster presentation. New Orleans, Louisiana. June 11-14, 2011.
- S. L. Shrestha, S. H. Hulbert, K.A. Garland-Campbell, and C. M. Steber, 2010. Improving drought tolerance through integrated breeding, physiology and molecular genetics in Pacific Northwest Wheat Dryland agriculture field day abstracts.
- L. Murphy, K. G. Campbell, and C. M. Steber, 2010. Comparing CID and RWC in field vs. greenhouse grown wheat. Western division ASPB meeting, Pullman WA.
- S. L. Shrestha, S. H. Hulbert, K. Garland-Campbell and A. H. Carter, 2010. Use of molecular mapping techniques for adaptation to low rainfall levels in the Pacific Northwest. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meetings.
- Lu X. and Rasco B., 2010. Investigating food spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms by mid-infrared spectroscopy. In: Applications of Vibrational Spectroscopy in Food Science, pp. 675-694 (Eds. E.C.Y. Li-Chan, P.R. Griffiths and J.M. Chalmers). John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Lu X., Rasco B.A., Kang D.-H., Jabal J.M.F., Aston D.E., Konkel M.E., 2011. Infrared and Raman spectroscopic studies of the antimicrobial mechanisms of garlic concentrates and diallyl constituents on foodborne pathogens. Analytical Chemistry, 83, 4137-4146. (2010 IF: 5.874).
- Lu X., Rasco B.A., Kang D.-H., Jabal J.M.F., Aston D.E., Konkel M.E., 2011. Infrared and Raman spectroscopic studies of the antimicrobial mechanisms of garlic concentrates and diallyl constituents on foodborne pathogens. Analytical Chemistry, 83, 4137-4146. (2010 IF: 5.874).
- Lu X., Ross C.F., Powers J.R., Aston, D.E., Rasco B.A., 2011. Determination of total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of garlic (Allium sativum) and elephant garlic (Allium ampeloprasum) by attenuated total reflectance - Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 59, 5215-5221. (2010 IF: 2.816).
- Lu X., Ross C.F., Powers J.R., Rasco B.A., 2011. Determination of quercetins in onion (Allium cepa) using infrared spectroscopy. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 59, 6376-6382. (2010 IF: 2.816).
- Lu X., Wang J., Al-Qadiri H.M., Ross C.F., Powers J.R., Tang J., Rasco B.A., 2011. Determination of total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of onion (Allium cepa) and onion shallot (Allium oschaninii) using infrared spectroscopy. Food Chemistry, 129, 637-644. (2010 IF: 3.458).
- Wang J., Yue T., Yuan Y., Lu X., Shin J.-H., Rasco B., 2011. Rapid discrimination of Alicyclobacillus strains using nitrocellulose membrane filter and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Journal of Food Science, 76(2), M137-M142. (2010 IF: 1.733).
- Lu X., Liu Q., Wu D., Al-Qadiri H.M., Al-Alami N.I., Kang D.-H., Shin J.-H., Tang J., Jabal J.M.F., Aston E.D., Rasco B.A., 2011. Using of infrared spectroscopy to study the survival and injury of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Campylobacter jejuni and Pseudomonas aeruginosa under cold stress in low nutrient media. Food Microbiology, 28, 537-546. (2010 IF: 3.320).
- Al-Qadiri H.M., Lu X., Al-Alami N.I., Rasco B.A., 2011. Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Campylobacter jejuni in bottled purified drinking water under different storage conditions. Journal of Food Protection, 74, 254-260. (2010 IF: 1.72).
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Progress 07/15/09 to 07/14/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Several areas of food safety research are presently being conducted as follows: 1. Food Packaging: A system was acquired to characterize water vapor transmission rates of polymer films & packages. A test set up was developed to understand release mechanism of antimicrobials from polymeric structures into food systems. Nanoparticles coated multilayer structures with improved thermal stability and gas barrier properties were considered for our study to withstand microwave (MW) and traditional retort sterilization treatments. This study showed that the MW processing had a lesser influence on gas barrier properties of the polymeric structure compared to the retort process. Environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) images revealed cracks on film surface coated with nanoparticles which could have led to the increase in the diffusion of the gas molecules. These cracks could be caused as a result of improper coating operations. Hence dispersion of nanoparticles in the polymer matrix could help us avoid this drawback and improve the shelf life of food. A biodegradable polymeric Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) antimicrobial film was developed for packaging of fresh produce. The diffusion of antimicrobials from polymeric films to food systems followed Fick's second law. 2. We have developed an annual cropping system at Lind, WA with drip irrigation that allows us to consistently reproduce severe drought conditions even in a year like 1020. We have developed wheat lines that have approximately 75-87% of their genes from the PNW spring wheat lines Louise or Hollis, a soft white spring wheat and a hard red spring wheat, respectively. These lines also carry genes from drought tolerant synthetic wheat germplasm. These lines have formed the basis of several projects to map drought resistant genes and incorporate them into wheat varieties for low rainfall environments. We have also made a breeding population to generate facultative wheat lines for testing as lines that can be planted in either fall, winter or spring and perform well in the low rainfall regions. 3. Research being conducted at Washington State University with the support of industry partners provides strategies for ensuring food safety by providing technologies for ready-to-eat perishable foods that would reduce the risk of food contamination. Evaluation of several antimicrobial treatments has been completed in a whey/glycerol edible film matrix with treatments found to be effective which eliminate Listeria monocytogenes at mild thermal abuse temperatures. We propose to continue this work evaluating other edible films and coating systems. Controlled atmosphere packaging studies are underway. In addition, preliminary studies show that injured Listeria sp. cells can be detected by FTIR that have been subjected to pH and ionic stress. PARTICIPANTS: Participants working on food packaging are: Drs. Shyam Sablani, Gustavo V. Barbosa-Canovas, and Juming Tang, Department of Biological Systems Engineering, WSU, Pullman, WA. Mr. Luis Bastarrachea, graduate student worked on this project and recently completed his M.S. degree. Another graduate student, Mr. Sumeet Dhawan is also working on this project. Participants on improving drought stress tolerance in wheat are: Scot Hulbert was responsible for design, planting and irrigating the wheat germplasm nursery at Lind. Kim Campbell and Camille Steber also provide germplasm and assistance. Bill Pan characterized water use in different germplasm in parts of the nursery using soil probes. Surya Shrestha is a graduate student working on the project. She is working towards a PhD degree in Crop and Soil Sciences with an emphasis on breeding and genetics. The participant on detection methods for pathogens is Barbara Rasco. TARGET AUDIENCES: Food processing companies, polymer processing companies, fruit and vegetable growers and packers, wheat breeders and seed dealers in the Pacific Northwest, and wheat growers in the low/intermediate rainfall region. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
1. Food Packaging:
The research provides important knowledge on how microwave and traditional retort processing affects packaging material. The study identifies suitability of high barrier multilayer strictures for microwave sterilization process thus contributes towards advancing the commercialization of MW technology for sterilization of low acid foods recently approved US Food and Drug Administration and also promotes sustainable development of environmentally friendly packaging. This research will help build a strong platform to conduct fundamental and industrial research in the area of emerging food processing technologies and novel polymer packaging technologies. 2. Improving drought stress tolerance in wheat
We have already mapped one gene that provides advantages in low rainfall environments and are crossing this gene into the cultivar Louise. The effect of this gene appears to be photoperiod insensitivity that makes the wheat head a few days earlier than lines without it. We will now test this idea to determine if this is a trait we should incorporate into all our PNW spring wheat cultivars for the low rainfall area. 3. Evaluating new control and detection methods for pathogens in ready-to-eat (RTE) foods
These technologies will provide practical methods to reduce pathogen load and also improve food stability which will in the long term increase food access and affordability using improved processing and packaging methods. Detection methods will be developed to assure that hazardous foods can be identified within a realistic time frame by developing rapid detection methods for microbes and for predicting how injured cells could recover during refrigerated storage and cause illness in contaminated ready-to-eat (RTE) foods. The focus of this project is on the seafood industry although the technologies presented here are transferrable to fruits and vegetables.
Publications
- Bastarrachea. L., Dhawan, S., Sablani, S. S., Powers, J. 2010. Release Kinetics of Nisin from Biodegradable Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) films into Water. Journal of Food Engineering, 100: 93-101.
- Bastarrachea. L., Dhawan, S., Sablani, S. S., Mah. J. H., Kang, D. H., Zhang, J., Tang, J. 2010. Biodegradable Poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) film incorporated with nisin: characterization and effectiveness against Listeria innocua. Journal of Food Science, 75(4): 215-224.
- Dhawan, S., Sablani, S. S., Barbosa-Canovas, G.V., Tang, J. 2010. Morphological and oxygen barrier changes of two multilayer polymeric films subjected to microwave sterilization. Institute of Food Technologists, Chicago July 17-20 Paper No. 232-12.
- S. L. Shrestha, S. H. Hulbert, K.A. Garland-Campbell, and C. M. Steber. 2010. Improving drought tolerance through integrated breeding, physiology and molecular genetics in Pacific Northwest Wheat Dryland agriculture field day abstracts.
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