Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

Project Number: S294

Project Title: QUALITY AND SAFETY OF FRESH-CUT VEGETABLES AND FRUITS

Annual Meeting Date: 10/16/2025

Location: Anaheim, CA

INTRODUCTION

Previous meeting minutes were approved. Angelos filled in for Tie from UF and is the chair-elect. The agenda included station reports. The meeting was recorded, and participants were informed that Scott Sensman from Oklahoma State would join after the break, while Max Teplitski from IFPA would discuss IFPA updates and collaboration opportunities later.

Scott Senseman (Administrative Advisor) - Multi-State Project Midterm Review

Scott reviewed the multi-state project's progress, noting substantial productivity with over 60 publications and numerous presentations. He commended the group's efforts and discussed the upcoming 3-year midterm review, which he will initiate unless otherwise requested. Scott advised the group to reassess their objectives and consider re-upping the project or making changes. He also provided insights on the current government shutdown's impact on grant reviews and suggested focusing on health-related initiatives in future proposals. Scott discussed ongoing uncertainty in federal budget allocations and suggested waiting for further developments before taking proactive measures.

Max Teplitski - IFPA

Max presented on the Packaging Innovation Lab funding, introducing a new approach with stakeholder input before grant submissions, and highlighted the IFPA Intelligence Engine for accessing industry data. Max also explained IFPA's advocacy role, emphasizing its focus on future-proofing the industry, worldwide influence, and personalized member experience, and encouraged attendees to engage in advocacy efforts.

STATION REPORTS

Jeff Brecht – University of Florida

Jeff Brecht from Florida provided updates on broccoli senescence research, lettuce shelf-life studies, and a collaborative project on fresh-cut mango in China. He also mentioned his retirement as of September.

He mentioned the use of carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and propylene glycol as moisture-absorbing compounds in coatings of fresh cut mango, with Eva Almenar suggesting the latter as a hygroscopic alternative.

Angelos Deltidis – University of Georgia

Angelos from UGA presented ongoing research on mechanical harvesting of onions, highlighting findings on bruising, curing periods, and nitrogen fertilization effects. Preliminary results from a study on peach preconditioning to reduce chilling injury were also shared, showing interesting effects on fruit firmness and chilling injury symptoms. He shared research findings on fruit quality and storage, including data on peach firmness and chilling injury, as well as results from a study on pre-harvest applications of Harvista on peaches at three farms. He also discussed ongoing projects on blackberry cultivar evaluation and the use of preconditioning to alleviate chilling injury in peaches. The conversation ended with a brief discussion on onion bruising and curing methods.

Hansel Mina – Purdue University

Hansel presented research on seed sanitization to reduce foodborne pathogen contamination in fresh produce. He tested three sanitizers at different concentrations on lettuce, cantaloupe, and cucumber seeds, finding that paraquat acid at 5,000 ppm and sodium hypochlorite at 19,000 ppm were effective in reducing pathogens while maintaining germination rates. The study also demonstrated that sanitizer application in washing water reduced cross-contamination in lettuce. Hansel concluded that seed sanitization and good agricultural practices are important preventative measures for reducing contamination, though he acknowledged that the exact mechanisms affecting germination rates are not fully understood. He discussed research methodologies and results related to microbial contamination and sanitizer effectiveness. Hansel explained their experimental approach, which included both molecular and plating methods, as well as the use of neutralizers and enrichment broth. The discussion highlighted the importance of determining optimal sanitizer concentrations for practical applications.

Byron Brehm-Stecher - Iowa State

Byron presented research on factors impacting microbial contamination and work on novel detection and prevention strategies. The team is evaluating the effects of cold plasma on microorganisms, focusing on the concept of sublethal injuries and the need to demonstrate complete inactivation. He highlighted the challenges of scaling up cold plasma technology for commercial use and the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration.

Amin Joodaky – Michigan State University

Amin presented his research on the vibration and stability analysis of packaging for various products, including apples, using advanced equipment and machine learning techniques. He outlined future plans to apply these analyses to other produce and explore robotics in packaging.

Eleni Pliakoni - Kansas State University

Eleni shared her research on improving quality in small, diversified farms through high tunnels, lighting control, and sustainable packaging solutions.

Rama Nannapaneni - Mississippi State University

Rama presented on the persistence of foodborne bacterial pathogens like Listeria after sanitation, highlighting the need to understand sub-lethal effects and resistance development. The discussion emphasized the importance of finding effective sanitizers and identifying hot spots in processing environments to prevent contamination.

Qingyang Wang - Oregon State University

Qingyang presented on UV treatment for post-harvest packing lines of tree fruits, showing that UV and hydrogen peroxide work synergistically against Listeria monocytogenes but have different efficacy patterns against Penicillium.

Karin Albornoz - Clemson University

Karin discussed research on fresh-cut brassica leafy greens and watermelon, finding that fall-harvested turnip greens had worse post-harvest quality than winter-spring harvested greens, and studied the physiological and biochemical changes in fresh-cut watermelon during storage. Ongoing research into non-destructive harvesting methods for turnip greens using multispectral imaging

Toktam Taghavi – Virginia State University

Toktam presented her research on extending the shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables using eco-friendly methods, focusing on essential oils and beneficial bacteria.

DISCUSSION

Eva Almenar (Michigan State University) suggested transforming future meetings into a symposium format to attract more industry participation. The group clarified that members can work on both fresh-cut and whole produce. Jeff Brecht (University of Florida) proposed advertising the annual meeting as a symposium and suggested considering a new project statement by the beginning of next year. The group discussed the possibility of changing the project's title and scope to include new technologies like AI. Elections for new positions were briefly mentioned, but it was decided that Marlee Trandel-Hayse (Auburn University) would take over as secretary, with Karin Albornoz (Clemson University) potentially stepping up if needed. The conversation ended with a reminder for members to ensure their colleagues officially join the multi-state project.

Next steps

• Angelos and Toktam to prepare and submit the 3-year midterm review report for the multi-state project by December 15th.
• Angelos and Toktam to work on compiling and sending out the meeting minutes.
• All members to consider starting discussions about the new iteration of the multi-state project, potentially with a new title and number (if objectives change).
• All members to encourage their colleagues who are not officially part of the multi-state project to fill out Appendix E and become actual members.
• Eva to potentially lead the quality working group meetings as previously done.
• All members to consider submitting proposals for the Packaging Innovation Lab funding opportunity announced by IFPA.
• All members to consider incorporating AI, machine learning, and other new technologies in the next iteration of the multi-state project objectives.
• All members to consider Eva's suggestion of turning the annual meeting into a symposium to attract industry participation.

Objective 1. Evaluate methods of sampling and measuring flavor and nutrition of fresh-cut products to facilitate comparison to traditional shelf life factors .

The high tunnel system extended the season, achieving marketable yield in high tunnel is challenging due to various biotic and abiotic stresses. Principal component analysis indicated that a more moderate plant size may deliver a greater proportion of large, marketable berries.ameters, and profile. The best solvents for anthocyanin assessment were methanol and methanol: water. The second-best solvent was the pH differential buffers. Other solvents such as ethanol, chloroform: methanol, water, and water-based solvents extracted considerable amounts of anthocyanins; however, they showed some degree of color degradation, evidenced by the color parameters. The extraction solvent determined the main anthocyanin of the anthocyanins profile. Pelargonidin was the major anthocyanin in chloroform: methanol solvent, while delphinidin was dominant in all other solvents. (Purdue University)

Objective 2. Develop new strategies to improve and better maintain inherent fresh-cut product quality and nutrition. 

Research highlights integrated postharvest and production strategies to enhance fruit quality, shelf life, and sustainability. Modified humidity packaging combined with a controlled-release, pectin–alginate microencapsulated triketone (manuka oil extract) effectively reduced blackberry weight loss by 68% and preserved overall quality, offering a natural alternative to synthetic fungicides. Evaluation of HLB-tolerant mandarin hybrids identified two elite selections that consistently matched or outperformed commercial standards across multiple harvest periods, with desirable consumer traits including easy peeling, seedlessness, and excellent flavor, supporting their potential for sustainable citrus production. Metabolomic analyses further demonstrated that soil carbon-to-nitrogen ratios significantly influence the nutritional composition of organic strawberries by modulating key biochemical pathways without altering physical quality, providing a basis for precision soil management. In addition, validated heat treatments (43–47 °C for 30–60 min) effectively prevented chilling injury in grapefruit during cold storage while maintaining citrus quality and sensory attributes, offering a practical, non-chemical approach for quarantine security and postharvest quality preservation.(USDA-ARS-Florida)

 This body of work advances sustainable, fiber-based food packaging by integrating material innovation, antimicrobial functionality, and data-driven design to extend produce shelf life and reduce plastic use and postharvest losses. Research demonstrates that shellac-coated bagasse paperboard can dramatically improve water and oxygen barrier properties without compromising mechanical strength, while agricultural waste–derived biocomposites (e.g., soybean hulls) and novel fiberboard designs effectively extend the shelf life of tomatoes, cherries, strawberries, and other fresh produce. Complementary efforts incorporate antimicrobial packaging strategies, controlled-release 1-MCP systems, and optimized ventilation and handhold designs informed by finite element modeling, machine learning, and realistic vibration and drop testing (Project GREEEN). Together, these studies provide science-based guidelines for designing durable, ergonomic, and environmentally friendly packaging systems that enhance produce quality, minimize waste across the supply chain, and support sustainable food systems.(MSU)

This research integrates physiological insights with postharvest technologies to reduce discoloration and extend shelf life in fresh-cut and tree-ripe produce. Ongoing studies are identifying food-grade compounds to suppress pinking and browning in fresh-cut lettuce, while completed commercial trials demonstrated the feasibility of using modified atmosphere packaging, semipermeable coatings, and ethylene scrubbing to successfully ship tree-ripe mangos from South America to the United States. Complementary efforts launched in 2025 further advance fresh-cut mango processing by evaluating hygroscopic edible coatings and natural compounds to control browning and microbial growth, supporting improved quality and logistics for global mango supply chains. (UF)

This body of work integrates preharvest and postharvest strategies to improve fruit quality, reduce physiological disorders, and extend shelf life across multiple specialty crops grown in Georgia. Ongoing projects examine how preharvest plant growth regulator applications influence ripening, aroma, sugars, and consumer perception in blueberries and blackberries, with the goal of providing evidence-based recommendations to enhance shelf life and support crop diversification. Cold storage studies in peaches identified 34 °F (1.1 °C) as optimal for minimizing respiration, weight loss, and firmness loss, while complementary ongoing work explores elevated storage temperatures and alternative strategies to prevent chilling injury and extend marketability. Research on citrus demonstrated that low-dose ethylene treatments improve color uniformity without compromising eating quality, though trade-offs with weight loss and respiration highlight the need for optimized temperature and ethylene management. In blueberries, shorter harvest intervals were shown to better preserve firmness, sugars, and overall quality, offering practical guidance for growers in warm, humid climates. Additional efforts assess the feasibility of mechanical harvesting in Vidalia onions by quantifying bruise susceptibility and postharvest shelf life under different harvesting conditions, collectively addressing key challenges in postharvest handling and logistics. (UGA)

 UV-C demonstrated the ability to reduce cross-contamination of spoilage microorganisms and preserve quality, with efficacy varying by treatment location. (OSU)

Objective 3. Improve understanding of physiological mechanisms that affect fresh-cut product quality 

These studies collectively emphasize how physiology, genotype, and postharvest handling shape quality outcomes in fresh-cut leafy and fruit crops. In fresh-cut watermelon, monitoring cell wall and membrane integrity during storage revealed strong genotype-dependent differences in quality degradation, highlighting the importance of genetic background in shelf-life performance. For collard greens, postharvest handling proved critical: cooling delays of 6–8 hours significantly compromised visual quality after extended storage, while proper cold storage at 2 °C effectively preserved organoleptic and nutritional quality, particularly in whole leaves, for up to 28 days. Together, these findings underscore the combined roles of genetics, rapid cooling, and temperature management in maintaining fresh produce quality. (Clemson University).

This work elucidated the molecular regulation of postharvest senescence by identifying senescence-associated genes (SAGs) that are expressed at distinct stages of postharvest deterioration, enabling clear differentiation of senescence processes from general stress, ethylene responses, or controlled-atmosphere effects. The study further revealed key differences between natural (on-plant) and postharvest senescence and identified preharvest molecular factors linked to extended shelf life, including SAGs associated with jasmonate signaling, chlorophyll metabolism, and cell wall modification (e.g., pectate lyases and expansins). The project was completed with the successful graduation of Ph.D. student Utsab Ghimire. (UF)

Objective 4. Determine critical factors in controlled inoculation studies with human pathogens and surrogates that influence the outcome of quantitative microbial risk assessments.

Recent studies demonstrate that effective postharvest sanitation strategies are critical for improving fresh produce safety and quality. Sequential antimicrobial treatments, particularly the combination of chlorine dioxide (ClO₂) and peroxyacetic acid (PAA), significantly reduced pathogen populations on cantaloupe and watermelon rinds by up to 3.52 log CFU/g, whereas water-only treatments were largely ineffective. Research on pathogen internalization revealed that blossom inoculation led to the highest internalization rates in cucumbers, with pathogens persisting across plant developmental stages and moving through vascular tissues into edible portions of lettuce and cucumber, with varietal differences observed in lettuce contamination. Commercial antimicrobial washes were shown to effectively reduce foodborne pathogens, minimize cross-contamination during retail handling, and maintain produce quality without compromising shelf life. However, the accumulation of organic matter in postharvest wash water was found to substantially reduce free available chlorine (FAC) efficacy regardless of concentration, highlighting the need for improved water management and mitigation strategies to ensure sanitation effectiveness. (Purdue University)

Biocide-tolerant foodborne pathogens can emerge following repeated exposure to quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs). Repeated exposure to first- and second-generation QACs selected for small colony variants of Listeria monocytogenes serotypes 1/2a and 4b with increased tolerance to benzalkonium chloride compared to their parent strains, as well as rugose morphotypes of Salmonella Typhimurium that tolerated higher BAC concentrations. In contrast, potassium ferrate demonstrated rapid, concentration- and contact time–dependent antimicrobial activity against L. monocytogenes strains Bug600 and ScottA in water, highlighting its potential as an effective alternative sanitizer for controlling QAC-tolerant pathogens.(Mississippi State University)

Recent studies indicate that targeted antimicrobial interventions can effectively enhance the microbial safety of fresh produce. Coating apple fruit with phenolic branched-chain fatty acids significantly reduced Listeria innocua populations while preserving apple quality, demonstrating the potential of this approach as an antimicrobial surface treatment. In parallel, research on work-in-process fresh-cut red cabbage showed that the survival and growth of Escherichia coliO157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica are strongly influenced by sanitizing washes in combination with storage temperature and time, underscoring the importance of integrated sanitation and storage management strategies to control foodborne pathogens.(USDA-ARS-ERRC)

Objective 5. Development and validation of novel diagnostic methods to determine presence of human pathogens and chemical hazards associated with fresh and fresh-cut products.

Recent advances in biosensing technologies highlight the potential of integrating optical, thermal, and optomechanical approaches to enhance pathogen detection sensitivity and reliability. Laser thermospeckle–based enhancement of lateral flow assays enabled quantitative detection of Salmonella spp. with a limit of detection of approximately 10 CFU/mL, providing an objective alternative to visual interpretation and reducing human and environmental variability. Smartphone-integrated optomechanical platforms combining quartz crystal microbalance sensing with fluorescence imaging further improved sensitivity, demonstrating strong linear correlations between frequency signals, fluorescence intensity, and bacterial concentration for Salmonella Typhimurium, with limits of detection as low as 10⁵ CFU/mL and minimal cross-reactivity with Listeria monocytogenes. Additionally, dual-modality platforms integrating colorimetric and photothermal detection in commercial gold nanoparticle-based lateral flow assays offer improved robustness across diverse testing conditions. Collectively, these technologies demonstrate promising pathways toward portable, sensitive, and cost-effective diagnostic tools for real-world food safety applications. (Purdue University)

Purdue University

• Mina, H.A., Vanegas-Torres, A., Deering, A.J. (2025). Sequential antimicrobial treatments enhance cantaloupe and watermelon microbial quality in packinghouse operations. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 229, 113716.

• Mina, H.A., Deering, A.J. (2025). Internalization of foodborne pathogens and their presence in lettuce, cucumber plants, and fruits. Food Microbiology, 113, 104878.

• Mina, H.A., Buckley, D.A., Burnett, J., Deering, A.J. (2025). Evaluation of commercially available produce antimicrobial washes to improve the quality and microbial safety of fresh produce. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 441, 111318.

• Blackshare, J., Mina, H.A., Deering, A.J., Rajwa, B., Robinson, J.P., Bae, E. (2025). Sensitivity enhancement of lateral flow assay utilizing laser thermospeckle effect. Sensing for Agriculture and Food Quality and Safety XVII, 13484, 120–126.

• Mina, H.A., Langenhoven, P., Deering, A.J. (2025). Effect of netting density on the efficacy of produce washing solutions in reducing foodborne pathogenic bacteria from cantaloupe rinds. Food Microbiology, 131, 104806.

• Min, H.J., Mina, H.A., Oh, J., Deering, A.J., Robinson, J.P., Rajwa, B., Bae, E. (2025). Smartphone-integrated optomechanical dual-mode instrument for Salmonella Typhimurium detection. IEEE Sensors Journal, 25, 20423–20432.

• Blackshare, J., Mina, H.A., Deering, A.J., Rajwa, B., Robinson, J.P., Bae, E. (2025). Enhancing sensitivity of commercial gold nanoparticle-based lateral flow assays: A comparative study of colorimetric and photothermal approaches. Sensors, 25, 4904.

• Mina, H., Sarria, D., Deering, A. (2025). Understanding the impact of organic matter on free available chlorine (FAC) concentration in postharvest water. Facts for Fancy Fruit, 751.

• Min, H.J., Mina, H.A., Shin, S., Doh, I.J., Robinson, J.P., Rajwa, B., Deering, A.J. (2024). Detection and confirmation of Salmonella Typhimurium by smartphone-enabled optomechanical platform. Sensing for Agriculture and Food Quality and Safety XVI, 13060, 124–130.

• Yu, Y.C., Wang, Z., Ji, X., Williamson, E.J., Cordoba, H.M., Ulloa-Gomez, A.M., Deering, A.J., Chiu, G.T.-C., Allebach, J.P., Stanciu, L.A. (2024). Application of a dual-modality colorimetric analysis method to inkjet printing lateral flow detection of Salmonella Typhimurium. Microchimica Acta, 191, 559.

Mississippi State University 

• Schade, S., Tucker, E., Nannapaneni, R., Kode, D., Bansal, M., Zhang, L., White, S., Chang, S. (2024). Survival, persistence, regrowth, and isolation of colony variants of Listeria monocytogenes strains after exposure to first-generation quaternary ammonium compound (benzalkonium chloride) in water. Journal of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences, 69(2–3), 294–394.

• Schade, S., Nannapaneni, R. (2025). Survival, persistence, and isolation of different colony morphotypes of Listeria monocytogenes after exposure to high and low concentrations of second-generation quaternary ammonium compound (SterBAC QUAT) in water. Journal of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences (submitted; in review).

• Umutesi, G., Nannapaneni, R. (2025). Survival and persistence of Salmonella strains after exposure to low and high concentrations of first-generation quaternary ammonium compound (BAC) in water. Journal of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences (submitted; in review).

Oregon State University 

• Wang, Q., Murphy, C.M. (2025). Evaluation of an in-packing line far-ultraviolet-C light system for reducing aerobic bacteria, total coliforms, yeasts, molds, and generic Escherichia coli indicator organisms on apple surfaces. Food Protection Trends, 45(3), 163–170.

• Bellino, M., Waite-Cusic, J., Wang, Q. (In review). Multimethod in vitro assessment of ultraviolet-C treatment against conidia and hyphal fragments of Botrytis cinerea. Applied and Environmental Microbiology

Clemson University 

•  Albornoz, K., Abdissa, Z. (2025). Research article. Journal of Stored Products Research, 112, 1–10.

• Quandoh, E., Albornoz, K. (2025). Review article. Frontiers in Genetics, 16, 1–16.

University of Florida 

Refereed publications

• Chang, Y., Ferreira, M.D., Souza Correa, D., Teodoro, K.B.R., Procopio, F.R., Peres Brexó, R., Sarkhosh, A., Brecht, J.K. (2025). Advances in postharvest nanotechnology: Enhancing fresh produce shelf life and quality to reduce losses and waste. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 222, 113397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.113397

• Elashmawy, R., Doron, M., Kanjilal, R., Brecht, J.K., Uysal, I. (2025). The digital cold chain: Sensor-driven product quality with AI. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 230, 133714. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.133714

• Habibi, F., Brecht, J.K., Sarkhosh, A. (2025). Impact of muscadine genotype on postharvest fruit quality and storability. South African Journal of Botany, 176, 62–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2024.11.025

• Kapoor, H.K., Payne, A., Prabha, K., Dunn, L., Kumar, G.D., Tyson, C., Sharma, M., Schneider, K.R., Mishra, A.K., Pires, A.F.A., Baur, P., Mishra, A. (2025). Temporal and environmental influences on the survival of Escherichia coli TVS 353, a surrogate for Salmonella enterica, in poultry litter-amended Georgia soils and its fate in sweet onion root crop. Journal of Food Protection, 88, 100639. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2025.100639

• Kharel, K., Bardsley, C.A., Appolon, C.B., Dunn, L.L., Kumar, G.D., Prabha, K., Sharma, M., Danyluk, M.D., Schneider, K.R. (2025). The effect of heat-treated poultry pellets and composted poultry litter on E. coli survival in Southeastern U.S. soils: Florida and Georgia. Journal of Food Protection, 88, 100439. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2024.100439

• Chase, K., Belisle, C., Ahlawat, Y., Yu, F., Sargent, S., Sandoya, G., Begcy, K., Liu, T. (2024). Examining preharvest genetic and morphological factors contributing to lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) shelf life. Scientific Reports, 14, 6618. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-55037-1

• Garcia, E., Miranda, M.R.A., Liu, X., Sarkhosh, A., Wang, Y., Liu, T. (2025). Metabolomic profiling of pulp from three passion fruit varieties: Implications for postharvest quality and nutritional value. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 229, 113689. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.113689

• Sriti, N., Sargent, S., Deng, Z., Williamson, J., Liu, G. (2025). Postharvest handling strategies for maintaining blackberry quality and shelf life: A two-year evaluation of three thornless cultivars. Horticulturae, 11(9), 1071. https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11091071

• Pabst, C.R., De, J., Bardsley, C.A., Bertoldi, B., Schneider, K.R. (2024). Evaluating the efficacy of peroxyacetic acid in preventing Salmonella cross-contamination on tomatoes in a model flume system. Heliyon, 10, e31521. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31521

• Schneider, K.R., Schroeder, M., Gutierrez, A., Kharel, K., Goodrich Schneider, R., Harder, A., Philyaw Perez, A., Woods, K., Dunn, L.L., Priyesh, P., Gunter, C., Rogers, E., Simmons, C., Johnston, L., Carter, C., Taylor, T.M., Castillo, A., Anciso, J., Masabni, J., Strawn, L.K., Vallotton, A., Stull, K., O’Bannon, T., Danyluk, M.D. (2024). Southern Region Produce Safety Alliance grower training: Using pre- and post-training knowledge assessments to understand training effectiveness. Journal of Food Protection, 87(5), 100266. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2024.100266

Non-refereed publications and conference abstracts

• Cheng, J., Moussa, A., Doron, M., Yagiz, Y., Brecht, J.K., Gu, L. (2024). Effects of ethyl formate on strawberry quality and shelf life. Proceedings of the Florida State Horticultural Society, 137, in press.

• Brecht, J.K., Bergsma, K.A., Sargent, S.A. (2025). Hydrocooling with or without chlorine and storage temperature effects on green snap bean discoloration. Florida State Horticultural Society Book of Abstracts, p. 33. FSHS Annual Meeting, Bonita Springs, FL.

• Haynes, B., Sargent, S.A., Liu, T., Sandoya-Miranda, G., Kim, J. (2025). Effects of postharvest melatonin treatment on quality and pink rib development in lettuce. Florida State Horticultural Society Book of Abstracts, p. 30. FSHS Annual Meeting, Bonita Springs, FL.

• Murray, J., Haynes, B., Sargent, S.A., Sandoya, G. (2025). Segregation analysis of tolerance to pink rib discoloration in lettuce potentially reveals inheritance of multiple loci. Florida State Horticultural Society Book of Abstracts, p. 30. FSHS Annual Meeting, Bonita Springs, FL.

• Kapoor, H.K., Appolon, C.B., Bardsley, C.A., Kharel, K., Schneider, K.R., Sharma, M., Mishra, A.K., Baur, P., Pires, A.F.A., Kumar, G.D., Mishra, A. (2025). Temporal and environmental drivers for survival of Escherichia coli in Florida soils amended with heat-treated poultry pellets and composted poultry litter, and its fate in transfer onto Vidalia onions. Book of Abstracts. IAFP Annual Meeting, Cleveland, OH.

• Kwak, M., Pandey, S., Choi, B., Zhai, Y., Sharma, M., Russell, M.J., Danyluk, M.D., Schneider, K.R., Jeong, K.C. (2025). Impact of biological soil amendments of animal origin on the soil microbiome in California. Book of Abstracts. IAFP Annual Meeting, Cleveland, OH.

• Zhai, Y., Pandey, S., Appolon, C.B., Sharma, M., Dunn, L.L., Danyluk, M.D., Schneider, K.R., Jeong, K.C. (2025). Decoding treatment and environmental effects on soil microbiomes and foodborne pathogen survival using machine learning. Book of Abstracts. IAFP Annual Meeting, Cleveland, OH.

• Kessler, C., Schneider, K.R., Danyluk, M.D. (2025). Comparing methods and duration of air sampling to quantify bacterial populations in bioaerosols. Book of Abstracts. IAFP Annual Meeting, Cleveland, OH.

• Geren, P., Goodrich Schneider, R., Benge, M., O’Bannon, T., Jackson-Davis, A., Rodriguez, C., Philyaw Perez, A., Carter, C., Dunn, L., Priyesh-Vijayakumar, P., Adhikari, A., Silva, J., Simmons, O.D. III, Johnston, L., Rogers, E., Jadeja, R., Orellana, L., Plaza, M., Wszelaki, A., Taylor, T., Castillo, A., Schneider, K.R., Danyluk, M.D. (2025). Assessing Southern Regional FSMA food safety training and outreach impacts. Book of Abstracts. IAFP Annual Meeting, Cleveland, OH.

• Diekman, C., Mitchell, B., Quam, K., Peebles, C., Schneider, K.R., Goodrich, R., Danyluk, M.D., O’Bannon, T. (2025). Florida’s Extension programs prepare produce growers for produce safety rule inspection. Book of Abstracts. IAFP Annual Meeting, Cleveland, OH.

• Liu, T., Kau, A., Olmedo, G.M., Bai, J., Agahara, S. (2024). Optimizing shelf life: Strategies for enhancing nutritional and health benefits. Florida State Horticultural Society Book of Abstracts, p. 32. FSHS Annual Meeting, Bonita Springs, FL.

USDA-ARS Florida

• Freitas, T.P., Jeffries, K., Plotto, A., Mattia, M., Bai, J. (2025). Fruit and juice quality of several lemon accessions grown in subtropical Florida. Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology, 100, 519–530.

• Jeffries, K., Fan, Z., Mattia, M., Stover, E., Baldwin, E., Manthey, J.A., Breksa, A., Bai, J., Plotto, A. (2025). Flavonoid contributors to bitterness in juice from Citrus and Citrus hybrids with/without Poncirus trifoliata in their pedigree. Food Chemistry: X, 26, 10.

USDA-ARS ERRC

• Dykes, G., He, Y., Jin, T., Fan, X., Lee, J., Reed, S., Capobianco, J. (2025). Transcriptomic analysis of Campylobacter jejuni following exposure to gaseous chlorine dioxide reveals an oxidative stress response. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 26, 3254.

• Amaraseakara, N.R., Subedi, D., Gurtler, J., Vinyard, B., Fan, X. (2025). Survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica on work-in-process (WIP) fresh-cut red cabbage. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 444, 111451.

University of Georgia

Refereed publications

• Rehman, M., Qureshi, N., Nadeem, M., Deltsidis, A., Seleiman, M.F., Shahid, M.A. (2025). Cold storage performance and postharvest quality evaluation of four blackberry cultivars commercially grown in North Florida. HortScience, 60(12), 2270–2282. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18969-25

• Kumari, M., Deltsidis, A., Luo, X., McAvoy, C., McAvoy, T. (2025). Assessment of triploid watermelon cultivars grown in Georgia for yield and quality parameters. HortTechnology, 35(1), 81–89. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05561-24

• Godara, A., Rubio-Ames, Z., Deltsidis, A. (2025). Delayed harvest reduced postharvest quality and storability of southern highbush blueberry cv. ‘Meadowlark’ and rabbiteye blueberry cv. ‘Brightwell’. HortScience, 60(2), 182–190. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI18301-24

• Godara, A., Rubio-Ames, Z., Deltsidis, A. (2025). Impact of shorter picking intervals on the storability and postharvest quality of rabbiteye blueberry cv. ‘Brightwell’. Frontiers in Plant Science, 12, 1683940. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2025.1683940

• Giannopoulos, O., Corn, R., Esmel McAvoy, C., Zuluaga-Acosta, J., Chavez, D., Deltsidis, A. (2025). Elevated gaseous ozone concentrations: Adverse effects on postharvest peach quality. CyTA – Journal of Food, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/19476337.2025.2502532

• Giannopoulos, O., Corn, R.N., Chavez, D.J., Loayza-Dávila, F.E., Deltsidis, A. (2025). Effects of ozone nanobubble treatments on postharvest quality of fresh peaches. HortTechnology, 35(1), 90–100. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTTECH05557-24

• Barbosa Júnior, M.R., dos Santos, R.G., de Azevedo Sales, L., Rônega Boa Sorte Vargas, R.B.S., Deltsidis, A., de Oliveira, L.P. (2025). Image-based and ML-driven analysis for assessing blueberry fruit quality. Heliyon, 11(3), e42288. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e42288

Non-refereed publications

• Deltsidis, A., Dawson, J., Smith, E.D., Corn, R., Esmel McAvoy, C.E. (2025). Productivity and postharvest quality of strawberry cultivars grown in southeast Georgia. Circular 1327. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension. https://fieldreport.caes.uga.edu/publications/C1327/productivity-and-postharvest-quality-of-strawberry-cultivars-grown-in-southeast-georgia/

Michigan State University 

• Khule, P., Lu, G., Yang, Q., Beaudry, R., Almenar, E. (2025). Enhanced barrier properties of bagasse paperboard for food packaging applications using shellac coating: Effect of concentration and number of layers. Progress in Organic Coatings, 207, 109395.

• Duguma, H.T., Fehlberg, J., Macke, P., Cho, S., Matuana, L., Almenar, E. (2025). Impact of the replacement of polyethylene with waste from orange juicing on the physico-chemical, microbiological, and sensory quality of packaged food. Food Packaging and Shelf Life, 47(1), 101417.

• Ilhan, I., Turan, D., Horsthuis, E., Almenar, E. (2026). Sustainable packaging in the supply chain: Packaging optimization, logistics, and carbon footprint reduction. In Sustainable Food Packaging: Safety & Sustainability Aspects of Food Packaging (Chapter 11, pp. 309–334). Academic Press, Elsevier.

• Mahmoudi, M., Mashayekhian, M., Bunch, B., Joodaky, A. (2025). Rethinking packaging for food waste prevention: A scoping review of consumer behavior and design opportunities. Sustainability, 17, 11.

• Horzum, Ö., Beaudry, R.M. (2025). “In-box” 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) treatments improve quality retention of ‘Red Delicious’ apple fruit. Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.2025.2574319

 Virgina State University 

• Liu, D., Samtani, J.B., Taghavi, T., Amyotte, B. (2024). Agronomic and post-harvest performance of strawberry cultivars in high tunnel and open-field environments in southeast Virginia. International Journal of Fruit Science, 24(1), 42–255.