Source: ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY submitted to NRP
DEVELOP CAPACITY IN THE APPLICATION OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN ACTIVE AND INTELLIGENT FOOD PACKAGING TO ENHANCE EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING IN FOOD SAFETY
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
OTHER GRANTS
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1018224
Grant No.
2019-38821-29144
Cumulative Award Amt.
$510,297.00
Proposal No.
2018-04818
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Mar 1, 2019
Project End Date
Feb 29, 2024
Grant Year
2019
Program Code
[EP]- Teaching Project
Recipient Organization
ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY
4900 MERIDIAN STREET
NORMAL,AL 35762
Performing Department
Food and Animal Sciences
Non Technical Summary
There are indications that the agricultural related disciplines are not producing enough 'qualified' graduates sufficient to fill the needed positions in the industry and government, and Food Science is no exception. Therefore, the main objective of the proposed project is to develop the newly launched Food Safety and Processing concentration's capacity by integrating the application of Nanotechnology in active and intelligent packaging to facilitate the training of underrepresented minority students. The project was conceptualized based on the notion that teaching and research are mutually complementary hence integrated to reinforce experiential learning with the State-of-the-art scientific instrumentation being requested. This will facilitate the recruitment of high quality student in the Food Science program. Faculty preparation in the application of active and intelligent packaging will enhance the study of controlled release of antimicrobials packaging of refrigerated meat. This will provide a body of knowledge to enable curricular development and enhancement related courses. This is particularly significant in improving the quality of educational deliverance thus with anticipated curricular transformation in agricultural and agricultural related educations in tune with the rapid advances in Science and Technology. Building capacity for sustainable training of minority students in Leadership Skill Development and the cutting edge technologies will provide anticipated long term impact on 20 freshmen, 20 high school interns in summer workshops, 150 and 50 regular undergraduate and graduate students, respectively, enrolled in related food science courses. This project will aid in achieving USDA-NIFA six strategic goals and objectives in the area of human capital development.
Animal Health Component
80%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
15%
Applied
80%
Developmental
5%
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
7125010302070%
5013260302010%
5113320110310%
5013320202010%
Knowledge Area
511 - New and Improved Non-Food Products and Processes; 501 - New and Improved Food Processing Technologies; 712 - Protect Food from Contamination by Pathogenic Microorganisms, Parasites, and Naturally Occurring Toxins;

Subject Of Investigation
3320 - Meat, beef cattle; 3260 - Poultry meat; 5010 - Food;

Field Of Science
2020 - Engineering; 1103 - Other microbiology; 3020 - Education;
Goals / Objectives
The main objective of the proposed integrated project is to develop the Food Processing and Safety component's capacity to support training for undergraduate, graduate and high school students in the area of food packaging and the application nanotechnology on food quality and safety research.The specific objectives of the teaching components are to:i. Increase the functional capacity and potential with the establishment of a state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation laboratory facility to support multidisciplinary high quality teaching and experiential learning in the Department of Food and Animal Sciences, AAMU;ii. Increase the faculty preparation for improved sustainable educational competency in the new emerging area of nanotechnology as it applies to active and intelligent packaging and; iii. Redesign the advance Food packaging course and develop a new course undergraduate packaging course;iv. Develop a Freshman Research Initiatives (FRI) program and summer programs for high school students in the Food Packaging and Food Safety;v. Increase the capacity to recruit and retain minority students in the new Food Safety concentration to bridge the gap of underrepresentation in the food industry and leadership development and networking. Research Objectives: The research component of the proposed project will provide a platform to enrich and complement the teaching and education via curricular enhancement. It is hypothesized that active antimicrobial film will provide control and regulate microbial growth on meat surfaces and increase the shelflife of the refrigerated meat.The specific objectives of the research components are:i. Design and develop a film coated with nanoemulsions with (nanoparticles loaded with bioactive) natural antimicrobials (garlic, clove and oregano);ii. Evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of the bioactive compound in controlling Escherichia coli, salmonella and listeria monocytogene and community characterization with 16S rRNA sequencing;iii. Conduct a shelflife study on the effect of the active packaging on the meat product; andiv. Investigate the controlled release kinetics mechanism of the bioactive compound from the polymer surface into the meat product via mathematical modeling.
Project Methods
Teaching Methodology:Specific Objective 1: Build the instrumentation capacity of the food packaging and other related course in the Food Science ProgramActivity Task #1: The Acquisition of the Laboratory Instrumentation to Support Experiential Learning.The implementation of this specific objective is critical to the success of the proposed project. Therefore the acquisition of instruments to establish the food packaging laboratory at AAMU will be implemented. The instruments for the Food packaging will be acquired by Dr. Kassama, in consultation with the Co-PI Dr. Shin. The instrumentations will include the following: Ox-Tran, Aquatran, Seal Integrity Tester, Bar Coding System, RFID tag readers and printers, and COMSOL Multi-Physics software for mathematical modeling. The relevant instruments and equipment will be purchased and installed in the first semester of the project year, and training on equipment use will be conducted in the same period.Specific Objective II: Increase the faculty preparation for improved sustainable educational competency in the application of active and intelligent packaging and increase the capacity to provide training in different aspects nanoparticle applications in food safety.Activity Task # 2: Faculty Preparation on the Development of active and intelligent packaging on food safety.Dr. Shin () at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo have agreed to provide guidance and training to improve the capacity of the faculty at AAMU on active and intelligent packaging design and development.Specific Objective III. Redesign the Advance Food Processing Course and develop a new undergraduate level Food Packaging course curriculum to include active and intelligent food packaging and its impact on new food processing and safety concentration.Activity Task #3: Develop Teaching Materials and Training Module for Curriculum Enhancement.Under this objective the research and teaching will be integrated with research methods, and findings developed. This information will be used to design and or enhance food packaging laboratories, hence provide a platform for experiential learning.Specific Objective IV: Develop a Freshman Research Initiatives (FRI) program and summer programs for high school students in the Food Engineering concentration.Activity Task #4: Develop Training Module for Freshmen Training and K-12 StudentsSix freshmen undergraduate students (three food science and three nonfood science students) from underrepresented groups will be offered intern positions every semester to work (≤10 h/wk) in the Food Packaging laboratory to work on different aspects of the projects. Students will work on problems such as testing the effect on antimicrobial on the shelflife of meat products. In addition basic introduction to mathematical modeling of biological concept, diffusion of antimicrobial in the food system using computation fluid dynamic using COMSOL Multiphysics software.A two-week summer annual laboratory workshop will be organized for high school seniors. This program will provide apprenticeship opportunities to experience the use of active packaging on food safety and mathematical modeling concepts. The program will be offered in the Foods Science Department in collaboration with Dr. Bandyopadhyay, Dr. Shin, Dr. Verghese, and Dr. Liu. Ten high school students will be recruited each year for three years.At the end of the course, students divided into various teams will embark on different research projects. Each group will present a report and a 10-min PowerPoint presentation. The summer activities will be captured on a DVD which will further enhance the outreach program.Specific Objective V: Increase the capacity to recruit and retain by empowering minority students in the Food Processing and Safety concentration of food science profession to bridge the gap of underrepresentation in the food industry and governmental agencies and increase the capacity for cross-institutional network and leadership development.Activity Task # 5: Recruitment of Minority students and Leadership development and Networking:The curricular enhancement will foster an opportunity to establish collaboration with PVAMU. The proposed project will provide an opportunity to PVAMU student to transition to AAMU graduate program in Food Science. A two-day leadership workshop will be organized and PVAMU and AAMU students will participant and they will have the opportunity to meet presenters from food industry, government agency personnel and plant tours will also be organized. Hence, the program will provide a source for recruiting graduate students to pursue graduate level education in food science. More so, the multi-institutional collaboration will be pursued to enhance training and student exchange, and will also provide a springboard to pursue joint competitive grants to further collaborative research.Research Methodology Experimental design: A factorial arrangements will be used with types of antimicrobial agents as Factor 1, Concentration of antimicrobial Factor 2, Microbial strain Factor 3, and shelflife period Factor 4. Factor 1 will be 4 levels: 0, garlic, clove and oregano; Factor 2, 3 levels: 1000, 5000, 10,000 IU/mL; Factor 3, Escherichia coli, Salmonella Enteritis's, and Listeria Monocytogenes and Factor 0, 2, 12, 24 h and 1, 2, 3, 4 weeks and 2 month.Activity Task #VI: Preparation of the encapsulated antimicrobial Nano-emulsion will be synthesize by Dr. Kassama (PI) based on the method developed by Kassama and Misir (2017).Packaging film coating preparation will be based on the methods developed by Dr. Shin (Co-PD, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo). Several preparation methods will be tested. Surface modified coating will be based on methods described by Shin et al. (2016), ultrasonic spray coating will be performed with reference to Bose et al. (2013).Activity Task VII &VIII. The preparation of bacterial cultures and sample preparing the samples (meat) for inoculation will be based on the method developed by Jackson el al. (2004) (Co-PI). The meat samples will be supplied by Rick's Barbeque Inc., Lawrenceburg, TN see letter of support attached.Microbiome analysis: Samples will be profiled for microbiota composition. Bacterial genomic DNA will be based on methods described by Barouei et al. (2017) and sequenced using a paired-end Illumina Mi-Seq (PE250) platform targeting the bacterial 16S rRNA V4 region. The DNA sequence analysis will be performed using method developed by Caporaso et al. (2010). Activity Task # IX: Modeling Control Release Mechanism: The mathematical and conceptual modeling of a physical entity in this cased meat products will provide useful information for estimation of mass transfer behavior as it pertained to package and product interactions. The concentration of the encapsulated antimicrobial components coated on the surface of the packaging film can be evaluated at any instant of time and at any location inside the meat (steak) based on the sorption and diffusion behavior. The meat is assumed to be a porous material.The governing partial differential equations involving the concentration of antimicrobials can be simplified to 1-D transient model for initial computation. However, in general they would be three dimensional in nature. The mass transfer coefficients at the boundary can be obtained from empirical relations known in literature or some in-house testing can be performed to obtain them.The release mechanism of the encapsulated antioxidant from the surface coated film into the meat products will be evaluated during the shelflife studies. The release profile of bioactive compounds from the nanoparticles will be evaluated using a kinetic model that accounts for both Fickian and Case II transport effects in hydrophilic matrices as described by Azevedo et al. (2014) and Rivera et al. (2015).

Progress 03/01/19 to 02/29/24

Outputs
Target Audience:Graduate Student: The project is trained graduate students two Master's and one Doctoral student. Both students developed innovative packaging solutions for food safety. Undergraduate students: The program mentored undergraduate students as part of the freshman research initiative on experiential food packaging learning. High School Students: High School Students also participated in consecutive summer programs, focusing on experiential learning in STEM education with special emphasis on the food and agricultural-related domain. Special emphasis focused on underrepresented minorities, particularly African-American students, they were provided with hands-on training on the fundamental concept of food packaging including the newly emerging area of Nanometrology application on food safety. Over fifty undergraduate students who enrolled in the Food Processing course were impacted by the information included to enhance the course curriculum which reflected the enrichment of the course syllabus with packaging in food safety solutions--likewise, the graduate students who also enrolled in the Food Packaging, Advanced Food Packaging, and Advanced Food Processing. Furthermore, the project outcomes were presented at the International Conferences of The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, the Institute of Food Technologists, the International Association of Food Protection, and other local conferences. Included in the audience of the conferences werethe food industry and government agencies. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Leadership Workshop: A two-day leadership workshop was organized and attended by 25 students, and participants came from both the graduate and undergraduate groups. Introduction to Leadership and the following information was covered: effective communication skills, networking and building relationships, cultural competence and diversity, and emotional intelligence and self-awareness. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, teamwork, personal branding/negotiation skills, leadership ethics and integrity, career readiness. Students who participated had the opportunity to meet presenters from the food industry, and government agency personnel, and plant tours were organized. Freshman Research Initiative: Experiential learning research experience was provided to 18 undergraduate freshman students, they worked on different aspects of developing active packaging solutions. The participants also participated in weekly professional development career mentoring and leadership discussions. Professional Communities: Students attended professional community meetings and grew their networks and professional development. Career Development Workshops: Through the AAMU Career Development Service, workshops were organized for student participants. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results were presented at the following professional annual international meetings: American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering Association of 1890 Research Directors (Bi-annual meetings) Institute of Food Technologists International Association of Food Protection AAMU-Stem days What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?This marks the end of the project.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The project has built the capacity to achieve USDA-NIFA's six strategic goals and objectives in human capital development. The serious challenges facing agricultural-related disciplines are that, they are not producing enough `qualified' graduates to fill needed positions in the industry, government, and academia and food science is no exception. Furthermore, food packaging application in food safety is a significant area of the food science discipline that lacks representation of African American professionals. Therefore, the main objective of this proposal was based on a broader and urgent response to the need to access modern technologies to augment and stimulate the quality of teaching and research in the food and agricultural science discipline critical to AAMU's Land-Grant mission. This is particularly significant in improving the quality of educational deliverance, with the anticipation to attract high-quality students in the food and agricultural sciences, particularly in the food safety and processing concentration. The scientific instrumentation requested will enable the development of student experiential learning opportunities and facilitate the recruitment of high-quality students in the food science program and food safety and processing concentration. Hence in reference to project Objective 1, to increase the functional capacity and potential with the establishment ofa state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation laboratory facility to support multidisciplinary high-quality teaching and experiential learning in the Department of Food and Animal Sciences the following equipment and instrumentation were purchased: C403H Oxygen / Water Vapor Transmission Rate Test System, C650H Headspace Gas Analyzer, C660B Leak and Seal Strength Tester, Zebra ZD621R Thermal Transfer RFID, and Zebra RFD40 Premium Plus UHF RFID Sled. Objective 2: to increase the faculty preparation for improved sustainable educational competency in the newly emerging area of nanotechnology as it applies to active and intelligent packaging. Hence, faculty preparation in the application of active packaging was emphasized, whereby electrospinning technology was acquired to enhance the manufacturing of packaging films with bioactive nanoparticles infused to create a nanofiber. At the same time, the control release kinetics was studied. Such a task provided a body of knowledge to enable curricular modification to reflect and integrate the application of nanotechnology into the food packaging curriculum. This is particularly significant in improving the quality of educational deliverance with the anticipation of curricular transformation in agricultural and agricultural-related education in tune with the rapid advances in science and technology. Building capacity for sustainable training of minority students in cutting-edge technologies was developed and the following expected outcomes: to establish a state-of-the-art Food Packaging equipment and instrumentation was added to the Food Engineering capacity. Training material in the form of virtual labs was developed to contribute to the Advanced Food Packaging Course and also provided experiential learning for over 50 undergraduate and 30 graduate students in various courses in the food science program, and 25 high school students on basic concepts of active packaging in two consecutive summer programs. Eighteen freshmen undergraduate students participated in Freshman Research Initiatives (food and nonfood science students) in the Food Engineering Laboratory and worked on different food packaging solutions. Faculty research capability was enhanced and student research culminated in one student being conferred a doctoral degree and another one a master's degree both in food science. These achievements will provide a springboard to leverage external grant funding opportunities for sustainable research and training programs; provide a body of knowledge for public awareness of food quality and safety with respect to food packaging solutions; and enhance faculty preparation and networking with multidisciplinary, inter-institutional, and international collaborations.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Aaron Dudley; Kassama, Lamin, Jackson-Davis, A., Xiao, X., Kuang, X., & Cebert, E. 2024. Electrospinning of Hemp (Cannabis sativa sp) Extract in Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanofiber: Morphology and Antimicrobial Activities. Abstract #107. Presented at the Association of Research Directors 1890 Biennial Meeting, Grand Ole Opry Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee April 6 to 9.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Aaron Dudley; Kassama, Lamin, Jackson-Davis, A., Xiao,X., Kuang, X., & Cebert, E. 2024. Characterization of Electrospun Hemp Nanofiber and Impact on the Shelf-Life of Raw Poultry Meat. Paper #2400151. Published in the proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meetings, Anaheim Marriot, Anaheim, California, July 28 to 31.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Aaron Dudley; Kassama, Lamin, Jackson-Davis, A., Kuang, X., Xiao, Z., Madala, V.S.,& Cebert, E. 2024. Nanoencapsulation of Hemp Extract in Electrospun Nanofiber: Characterization of Physical Attributes, Release Profile, and Application as Active Film for Food Packaging. Abstract #419. Presented at the Institute of Food Technologists Annual International Meeting, McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois July 14 to 17.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Aaron Dudley; White, E., A., Jackson-Davis, A., Cebert, E., Kuang, X., Kassama, Lamin. 2024. The Antimicrobial Effect of Thyme Oil on the Descriptive Growth Kinetics of Salmonella enterica. Abstract #121. Presented at the Alabama A&M STEM Day, Normal, Alabama March 28th.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Aaron Dudley; Kassama, Lamin, Jackson-Davis, A., Kuang, X., Xiao, Z., Madala, V.S.,& Cebert, E. 2024. Controlled Release Characterization of Hemp Loaded Electrospun Polyvinyl Alcohol Nanofiber and Antibacterial Activity for the Safety Enhancement of Raw Chicken Breast Meat. Abstract #34962. Presented at the International Association for Food Protection Annual International Meeting, Long Beach Convention Center Long Beach, California July 14 to 17.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Emille White; Dudley, A., Kassama, Lamin. 2024. Development of Hemp loaded-PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol) Antimicrobial Nanofiber. Presented at the Alabama A&M STEM Day (3rd Place Winner undergrad), Normal, Alabama March 28th.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: Tiffany Swinton; Dudley, A., Jackson-Davis, A., Kassama, Lamin. 2024. Evaluation of the Bioactive Properties of Two Macerated Northern Alabama-Grown Hemp Varieties. Presented at the Alabama A&M STEM Day (2rd Place Winner undergraduate), Normal, Alabama March 28th.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2024 Citation: 1. Dudley, A., Jackson-Davis, A., Cebert, E., Kuang, X., & Kassama, L. (2024). Phytochemical Characterization of the Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Four Hemp (Cannabis sativa spp L) Varieties Grown in Northern Alabama. In Progress Submission-to-Journal of Cannabis Research.
  • Type: Websites Status: Published Year Published: 2024 Citation: https://alabamanewscenter.com/2024/03/13/alabama-am-university-researchers-creating-cutting-edge-film-packaging-to-protect-food-better-naturally/
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Under Review Year Published: 2024 Citation: Aaron Dudley. 2024. Development of Hemp-Polyvinyl Alcohol Electrospun Nanofiber for the Safety of Raw Chicken Breast Meat. Doctoral Dissertation, Department of Food and Animal Sciences. Alabama A&M University.


Progress 03/01/23 to 02/29/24

Outputs
Target Audience:The project is currently training graduate (two Master's and one Doctoral) students who matriculated into the program in thefall of 2019 and 2020, respectively, in food packaging. One of the graduate students has obtained a master's degree in Food Science, while the other graduate student is anticipating to defend his dissertation in the spring of 2024. The program has mentored 6undergraduate students as part of the freshman research initiative program on experiential learning in food packaging. Special emphasis focused on underrepresented minorities, particularly African-American undergraduate students at the freshmen level, to provide them with hands-on training on the fundamental concept of food packaging including the newly emerging area of Nanometrology (application on food safety). Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two graduate students (master's and doctoral candidates) and seven undergraduate students were mentored in the food engineering and microbiology laboratory. This includes bi-weekly meetings to discuss research methodologies and careers in the food and agriculture domain. They have also participated in the local STEM-Day and Alabama A&M University, annual international Conferences such as the Institute of Food Technologists, International Association for Food Protection, and theAmerican Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?International/professional conference papers were presented at the IFT, and ASABE annual international meetings, and USDA-FSIS meetings. Posters were presented at the local 2023-AAMU-STEM-DAY local meeting at the Health, and Wellness Center. Normal, Alabama. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?The project is in the final stage, hence all the project objectives will be completed by February 29, 2024, hence the end of the project.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The following are some of the accomplishments: Master's Degree in Food Science thesis title: Electrospinning of curcumin in chitosan polymer for the development of active beef packaging. Doctoral Candidate pursuing a Ph.D. in food Science with a dissertation research title: Development of Hemp-Polybutylene Succinate Electrospun Nanofiber for the Shelf-Life Enhancement of Raw Chicken Breasts. (Anticipated graduation Spring 2024). Seven (7) undergraduate students were provided with undergraduate research experience in Food Engineering with a focus on food packaging. Thirty (30) undergraduate students' food science capstone classes and ten (10) graduate students were trained on basic food package design and shelflife improvement. Three (3) masters, a Ph.D. student, and five (5) undergraduate students in food engineering and the food microbiology program were trained in different methods of antimicrobial film preparation. The Instrumentation capacity of the program was enhanced with the purchase of the following instruments: C403H Oxygen /Water Vapor Transmission Rate Test System C660B Leak and Seal Strength Tester CLASSIC 650 Headspace Gas Analyzer

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Ochieng, E/ Ls. Kassama. 2023. Electrospinning of Curcumin Ultrafine Chitosan Nanofiber for the Shelf Life Extension of Packaged Beef. Paper #2300755 published in the proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meetings, Hilton Omamah Nebraska and CHI Health Center, Omaha, Nebraska, July 09 to 12.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Aaron Dudley; Kassama, Lamin, Jackson-Davis, A., Quang, X., & Cebert, E. 2023. Electrospinning of Northern Alabama Grown Hemp extract in PVA to Develop and Active Packaging Film. Paper #2300754. Published in the proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meetings, Hilton Omaha Nebraska and CHI Health Center, Omaha, Nebraska, July 09 to 12.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Dudley, A., Kassama, L., Jackson-Davis, A., Kuang, X., & Cebert, E. 2023. Hemp (Cannabis sativa L) Extract Nanoencapsulation in PVA Nanofiber Inhibits Foodborne Pathogen Proliferation in Raw Chicken Breast Meat. Oral Presentation of Abstract #408 presented at the annual international meeting and Expo at the Institute of Food Technologists, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL, July 16-19. [Awarded Third Place in the Food Engineering Division].
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Dudley, A., Kassama, L., Jackson-Davis, A., Kuang, X., Cebert, E & Xiao, Z. 2023. The Antibacterial Activity of Hemp (Cannabis sativa sp) Extract Embedded PVA Nanofibers against Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica (spp) on Chicken Breast Meat. Oral presentation of Abstract # T2-07 [Technical session] at the annual international meeting of the International Association of Food Protection, Toronto, Canada, July 16 to 19.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Ochieng, E, LS. Kassama. 2023. Electrospinning of Curcumin Ultrafine Chitosan Nanofiber for the Shelf Life Extension of Packaged Beef. 2023. Abstract #2300755 presented at the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meetings, Hilton Omaha Nebraska, and CHI Health Center, Omaha, Nebraska, July 09 to 12.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Aaron Dudley; Kassama, Lamin, Jackson-Davis, A., Quang, X., & Cebert, E. 2023. Electrospinning of Northern Alabama Grown Hemp Extract in PVA to Develop an Active Packaging Film. Abstract #2300754 presented at the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meetings, Hilton Omaha Nebraska, and CHI Health Center, Omaha, Nebraska, July 09 to 12.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Dudley, A., Jackson-Davis, A., Cebert, E., Zhao, Z., Zhigang, Z., & Kassama, L. 2023. Antimicrobial Effect of Nanofibers Loaded With Hemp (Cannabis sativa sp) Extract [Oral Presentation] Abstract ID#79 at the Cannabis Research Conference (Hemp Cultivation, Processes and Uses Session), Denver, CO. August 03-06.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Gabriel Barker; Barker, G., Dudley, A., Kassama, L., Jackson-Davis, A., Kuang, X., Cebert. 2023. Evaluation of the Bioactive Properties of Macerated Northern Alabama-Grown Hemp E. Abstract # 136 presented at the 2023 Annual STEM DAY, Health and Wellness Center. April 13.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Emille White; White, E., Dudley, A., Jackson-Davis, A., Kuang, X., Cebert, E., & Kassama, L. 2023. Maceration and Blend Electrospinning of Northern Alabama Grown Hemp Loaded Nanofibers Abstract # 140 presented at the 2023 Annual STEM DAY, Health and Wellness Center. April 13.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Dudley, A., Kassama, LS. Jackson-Davis, A., Quang, X., & Cebert, E. 2023. Northern Alabama-grown hemp (Cannabis sativa sp L) loaded Electrospun Nanofibers for Active Food Packaging Application. Oral presentation of abstract # 515 at the 2023 Annual STEM DAY, Health and Wellness Center. April 13.
  • Type: Journal Articles Status: Submitted Year Published: 2023 Citation: Aaron L Dudley; Lamin Kassama; Armitra Jackson-Davis; Xian Quang; Ernest Cebert. 2023. Preliminary Phytochemical Screening of the Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activity of Four Hemp (Cannabis sativa spp L) Varieties Grown in Northern Alabama. Journal of Cannabis Research.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Published Year Published: 2023 Citation: Ochieng, Edwin. 2023. Electrospinning of curcumin in chitosan polymer for the development of active beef packaging. Masters Thesis, Department of Food and Animal Sciences, Alabama A&M University. Under the guidance of Dr. Kassama.


Progress 03/01/22 to 02/28/23

Outputs
Target Audience:The project is currently training graduate (two Master's and one Doctoral) students who matriculated into the program in the fall of 2019 and 2020, respectively, in the area of food packaging. The program has mentored two undergraduate students as part of the freshman research initiative program on experiential learning in food packaging. Special emphasis focused on underrepresented minorities, particularly African-American undergraduate students at the freshmen level, to provide them with hands-on training on thefundamental concept of food packaging including the newly emerging area of Nanometrology (application on food safety). Changes/Problems:Due to the COVID-19 effect, and the University campus closure for nearly six months with no access to the laboratory to conduct research in 2020. Furthermore, the lack of space to place the equipment as the food science pilot plant is currently being renovated, the relevant equipment couldn't be purchased. These factors created profound duress on the project activities, hence negatively impacting progress on accomplishing some of the objectives. Thus, a no-cost extension to compete for the project objectives will be requested for the next reporting period. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two graduate students (master's and doctoral candidates) and three undergraduate students were mentored in the food engineering and microbiology laboratory. This includes bi-weekly meetings to discuss research methodologies and careers in the food and agriculture domain. They have also participated in the local STEM-Day and Alabama A&M University, annual international Conferences such as the Institute of Food Technologists, International Association for Food Protection, and the American Society and of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Ten International/professional conference papers were presented at the IFT, ASABE annual international meetings, and USDA-FSIS meetings. Three (3) poster abstracts were presented at the 2022-AAMU-STEM-DAY local meeting at the Health, and Wellness Center. Normal, Alabama. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Pursuance of the tasks to accomplish the following specific objectives for Teaching (i, iv, v), Research (iv), and also the research objective toEvaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of the bioactive compound in controllingEscherichia coli, salmonella, andlisteria monocytogeneand community characterization with 16S rRNA sequencing" in collaboration with Prairie View A&M University, which couldn't be implemented during the reporting period to date due to the COVID-19 pandemic effect and campus closure. As a result of these constraints, I will be seeking a year no-cost extension for the period Mach 01, 2023 to February 28, 2024,to enable us to complete the stated specific objectives for the next reporting period.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The following are some of the accomplishments: 1. Master's Degree in Food Science thesis title: Electrospinning of Curcumin in Chitosan Polymer for The Development of Active Beef Packaging. Degree Conferred, December 2022 2. Doctoral Candidate pursuing a Ph.D. in food Science with a dissertation research title: Development of Hemp-Polybutylene Succinate Electrospun Nanofiber for the Shelf-Life Enhancement of Raw Chicken Breasts. (In progress). 3. Three undergraduate students were provided with undergraduate research experience in Food Engineering with a focus on food packaging. 4. Fifteen (15) undergraduate students' food science capstone classes and five (5) graduate students were trained on basic food package design and shelflife improvement. 5. Three (3) masters, a Ph.D. student, and five (5) undergraduate students in food engineering and the food microbiology program were trained in different methods of antimicrobial film preparation.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Dudley, A. A. Jackson-Davis, E. Cebert, L.S. Kassama. 2022. The Antibacterial Efficacy of Two Hemp (Cannabis spp) Cultivars on Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella enterica. Abstract Submitted at the IAFP Annual International Meeting 2022, David L. Lawrence Convention Center, Pittsburgh, PA. July 31-Aug 03.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Dudley, A. A. Jackson-Davis, E. Cebert, L.S. Kassama. 2022. Insight into the Antioxidant, Antibacterial, and Proximate Content from Two Northern Alabama Grown Hemp (Cannabis sativa L) Cultivars. Abstract Submitted at the SHIFT22, IFT Annual International Meeting and Expo, July 10-13.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Dudley, A. A. Jackson-Davis, E. Cebert, L.S. Kassama. 2022. Antimicrobial and Antioxidative Activity of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Two Northern Alabama Hemp (Cannabis sativa L) Cultivars. Abstract submitted at the ASABE Annual International Meeting, Marriott Marquis Houston, Houston, TX, July 17-20.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Ochieng, E., A. Jackson-Davis, J. Shin, L.S. Kassama. 2022. Optimization of Electrospinning Parameters and Evaluation of the Physical Properties of the Electrospun chitosan Antimicrobial Fibers. Abstract submitted at the ASABE Annual International Meeting, Marriott Marquis Houston, Houston, TX, July 17-20.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Ochieng, E., A. Jackson-Davis, J. Shin, L.S. Kassama. 2022. The Impact of Chemical Hydrolysis of Chitosan Polymer on the Electrospinnability of Antimicrobial Packaging Film. Abstract Submitted at the SHIFT22, IFT Annual International Meeting and Expo, July 10-13.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Ochieng, E., L.S. Kassama, Armitra-Jackson Davis and Joongmin Shin. 2022. Development of Electrospun Chitosan Nanofibers for Antimicrobial Food Packaging. Abstract Submitted at the International Associate of Packaging Research Institute. IAPRI Bangkok 2022, 23rd World Packaging Conference, Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Center, Bangkok, Thailand, June 12-16.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Dudley, A., Kassama, L., Jackson-Davis, A., Cebert, E., Bamba, B, Xuang,K, 2022. Poster Title Effect of Extraction Solvent on the Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activity of Northern Alabama Grown Hemp (Cannabis sativa L).Presented at the Association of 1890 Research Directors Meeting, Atlanta Marriott Marquis, April 02-05.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Travion Miles-Jones, A. Dudley, L. Kassama, A. Jackson-Davis, X. Kuang, and E. Cebert. 2022. In-vitro Evaluation of Hemp Hurd Antioxidant Properties. Presented Abstract #148 at the AAMU STEM Day Virtual Meeting, Virtual, March 24th.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Aaron Dudley, L.Kassama, A. Jackson-Davis, X.Kuang, E.Cebert, B.Bamba. 2022. In-vitro assessment of the physicochemical and antibacterial properties of two Northern Alabama grown hemp (Cannabis sativa L) Cultivars. Presented Lecture (Abstract #504) at the AAMU STEM Day Virtual Meeting, Virtual, March 24th.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Edwin Ochieng, Lamin Kassama, Armitra-Jackson Davis, Joongmin Shin. 2022. Development of electrospun chitosan nanofibers for antimicrobial food packaging. Presented Lecture (Abstract #513) at the AAMU STEM Day Virtual Meeting, Virtual, March 24th.
  • Type: Theses/Dissertations Status: Submitted Year Published: 2022 Citation: Edwin Ochieng: Masters Thesis: Title: Electrospinning of Curcumin in Chitosan Polymer for The Development of Active Beef Packaging. November 2022
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Dudley, A., Kassama, L., Jackson-Davis, A, Walls, I, Mbandi, E, Minocha, U, Barlow, C, Bluhm, L, Green, J. Evaluation of Electrospun Hemp-loaded Nanofiber on the Safety of Raw Chicken Breast Meat. USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) Science in a Regulatory Context Workshop Washington, DC April 20, 2022. [Virtual Presentation].
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Published Year Published: 2022 Citation: Dudley, A., Kassama, L., Jackson-Davis, A., Kuang, X, &, Cebert, E. Development of Antimicrobial Nanofiber Food Packaging Film Loaded with Northern Alabama Grown Hemp (Cannabis sativa L) Extract. Institute for the Advancement of Food and Nutrition Sciences (IAFNS) Innovation Showcase Washington, DC. December 15, 2022 [Virtual Presentation].


Progress 03/01/21 to 02/28/22

Outputs
Target Audience:The project is currently traininggraduate (two Master's and one Doctoral) students who matriculated into the program in the fall of 2019 and 2020, respectively,in thearea of food packaging. The program has mentored two undergraduate students as part of the freshman research initiativeprogram on experiential learning in food packaging. Special emphasis focused on underrepresented minorities, particularly African-American undergraduate students at the freshmen level, to provide them hands-on training on the fundamentalconcept of food packaging including the newly emerging area of Nanometrology (application on food safety). Changes/Problems:Due to the COVID-19 effect, the University was closed for nearly six months with no access to the laboratory to conduct research in 2020. This created profound duress on the project activities, hence negatively impacting progress on accomplishing some of the objectives. Hence, we may not be able to complete the project promptly. Thus, a no-cost extension to compete for the project objectives will be requested in the future. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two graduate students (master's and doctoral candidates) were recruited and are being trained in the area of food packaging with a specific focus on food safety. As part of the Undergraduate Research Initiative, two undergraduate students were recruited and were provided with experiential learning on packaging and food safety. Due to the COVID-19 safety regulation, we were able to recruit only two students to work in the lab. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Four International conference papers were presented at the IFT and ASABE annual internarial meetings. Three (3) poster abstracts were presented at the 2020-AAMU-STEM-DAY local meeting at the Health, and Wellness Center. Normal, Alabama, What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Complete teaching objective 1, and the research objective 1, 2, 3, & 4.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Two minority students - a doctoral and master's candidate were recruited to research the following topics: Master's Thesis Research Electrospinning of Curcumin in Chitosan Polymer for Active Packaging Development for Beef. The proposal was submitted and defended to the committee members. Doctoral Dissertation Research: Development of Hemp-Polybutylene Succinate Electrospun Nanofiber for the Shelf-Life Enhancement of Raw Chicken Breasts. The proposal was submitted and defended to the committee members.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2021 Citation: Dudley, A., Jackson-Davis, A, Cebert, E.A, Al-Alam, M.A, Kassama, L. 2021. In Vitro Evaluation of Antibacterial and Antioxidative Activity of Two Northern Alabama Hemp (Cannabis sativa L) varieties. Paper # 2100956, presented at the ASABE 2021 Annual International Meeting, Virtual on-Demand, July 12-16.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2021 Citation: Dudley, A., Jackson-Davis, A, Al-Alam, M.A, Kassama, L. 2021. Comparative Analysis of the Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Cannabis sativa L. extracts. Abstract # 135 was accepted and the poster was presented at the 2021-AAMU-STEM-DAY, Gateway to Cutting Edge Science and Technology Virtual Conference, March 19.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2021 Citation: Dudley, A., Jackson-Davis, A, Cebert, E.A, Al-Alam, M.A, Kassama, L. 2021. Physiochemical Properties of Different Components in Cannabis sativa L. Abstract # 153 was accepted and PowerPoint Oral Lecture presentation at the 2021-AAMU-STEM-DAY, Gateway to Cutting Edge Science and Technology Virtual Conference, March 19.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2021 Citation: Ochieng, E., L.S. Kassama. 2021. Ultrasonication and Compositional Effect on Morphology and Encapsulation Efficiency of Curcumin Loaded in PLA. Abstract # 160 was accepted and PowerPoint Oral Lecture presentation at the 2021-AAMU-STEM-DAY, Gateway to Cutting Edge Science and Technology Virtual Conference, March 19.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2021 Citation: Ochieng, E., Al-Alam, M.A. and L.S. Kassama. 2021. Ultrasonication and Compositional Effect on Morphology and Encapsulation Efficiency of Curcumin Loaded Nanoparticles. Paper # 2100960, presented at the ASABE 2021 Annual International Meeting, Virtual on-Demand, July 12-16
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2021 Citation: Dudley, A., Kassama. L, Jackson-Davis. Cebert, E.A, Al-Alam, M.A. 2021. Evaluation of Antibacterial and Antioxidative Activity of Two Northern Alabama Hemp (Cannabis sativa L) varieties. Abstract Session ID# 777 presented at the SHIFT20 IFT Annual, Virtual, July 19-21.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2021 Citation: Swinton, T., Dudley, A., Kassama, L. 2021. Evaluation of Antibacterial and Antioxidative Activity of Cannabis sativa L. Abstract # 107 was accepted and the poster presented at the 2021-AAMU-STEM-DAY, Gateway to Cutting Edge Science and Technology Virtual Conference, March 19.20.


Progress 03/01/20 to 02/28/21

Outputs
Target Audience:The project is currently training three graduate (master's) students who matriculated into the program in the fall of 2019 in the area of food packaging. The program has mentored five undergraduate students as part of the freshman research initiative program on experiential learning in food packaging. Special emphasis focused on underrepresented minorities, particularly African-American undergraduate students at the freshmen level, to provide them hands-on training on the fundamental concept of food packaging including the new emerging area of Nanometrology (application on food safety). Changes/Problems:Due the COVID-19 effect, the University was closed for nearly six months with no access to the laboratory to conduct research. Thiscreated a profound duress on the project activities. Hence, we may not be able to complete the project in a timely manner. Thus, a no-cost extension to compete the project objectives will be requested in the future. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two graduate students (master's and doctoral candidates) were recruited are being trained in the area of food packaging with specific focus on food safety. As part of the Undergraduate Research Initiative five (5) undergraduate students were recruited and were provided with experiential learning on packaging and food safety. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Three (3) poster abstracts were submitted at the 2020-AAMU-STEM-DAY, Health, and Wellness Center. Normal, Alabama, April 16, 2020.The abstracts were accepted, but the event was canceled due the COVID-19 effect What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Complete teaching objective 1, and the research objective 1 and 2.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Two minority students - a doctoral and master's candidate were recruited to research on the following topics i. Application of Nanotechnology in Active and Intelligent Food Packaging in Food Safety and, ii. Electrospinning of Curcumin in Chitosan Polymer for Development of Active Beef Packaging, respectively. However, due to the Covid-19 effect as the University was closed from March to August 2020, not much was accomplished.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Aaron Dudley and LS. Kassama. 2020. Evaluation of the antimicrobial efficacy of hemp extracts (Cannabis Sativa L) Jinma-1 cultivar against selected pathogens. Abstract submitted for lecture presentation at the 2020-AAMU-STEM-DAY, Health, and Wellness Center. Normal, Alabama, April 16, 2020.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Kamiah West, Aaron Dudley, and L.S. Kassama. 2020. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy Analysis of Crude Hemp Extract. Abstract submitted for poster presentation at the 2020-AAMU-STEM-DAY, Health, and Wellness Center. Normal, Alabama, April 16, 2020.
  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2020 Citation: Tiffany Swinton, Aaron Dudley, L.S. Kassama. 2020. Spectrometric Evaluation of the Influence of Extraction Methods on Phytochemical Quality in Hemp (Cannabis Sativa L) Jinma-1 cultivar. Abstract submitted for poster presentation at the 2020-AAMU-STEM-DAY, Health, and Wellness Center. Normal, Alabama, April 16, 2020.


Progress 03/01/19 to 02/29/20

Outputs
Target Audience:The project is currently training three graduate (master's) students who matriculated into the program in the fall of 2019 in the area of food packaging. The program has mentored three undergraduate students as part of the freshman research initiative program on experiential learning in food packaging. Special emphasis focused on underrepresented minorities, particularly African-American undergraduate students at the freshmen level,to provide them hands-on training on the fundamental concept of food packaging including the new emerging area of Nanometrology (application on food safety). Changes/Problems:The graduate student working on the project matriculated in the first semester and not much was accomplished prior. This has caused some delays in implementing some of the project objectives, hence there is apossible needfor a no-cost extention at the end of the planned three-year project period. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project provided experiential learning opportunities for two undergraduate students in Industrial Technology and Packaging at Cal Poly under the guidance of Dr. Joongmin Shin. The students also participated in the performance testing of samples. The project also includes developing a video instruction for the laboratory modules developed. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Nothing Reported What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Develop a laboratory manual for the Advanced Food Packaging course Develop a master's proposal for the graduate student One publication and conference abstract

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Six (6) laboratory modules were completed and each of the modules will be taught as a class to support the lectures. The following modules are completed. The aim is to develop a laboratory manual for advanced food packaging: Module 1: Modified atmosphere packaging (ACTIVE TYPE) Module 2. Fruits & vegetable modified atmosphere packaging (PASSIVE TYPE) Module 3: Package seal integrity & seal strength Module 4: Measuring moisture content at a different relative humidity (Shelf life deterioration of a moisture-sensitive dry product) Module 5: Vacuum packaging and vacuum skin packaging for extended foods shelf life Module 6. Permeability and barrier properties

Publications