Microbiology
Research:
The main focus of research in the food microbiology group is microbial food safety (farm to table). There also is heavy commitment to research related to the beneficial use of lactic acid bacteria as starter cultures for foods and as probiotics for both humans and animals. Other research involves microorganisms responsible for food spoilage.
The food safety research includes studies on improved detection, identification and control of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella ssp., Escherichia coli 0157:H7 and Campylobacter jejuni. The research in probiotics focuses on their use to control intestinal pathogens, which can be food-borne pathogens, in livestock as well as providing other health/nutritional benefits for both humans and animals. Funds to support the research have come from a variety of sources including the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station, USDA/CSREES, and industry and commodity groups.
Extension:
Members of the food microbiology group are actively involved in extension service projects for all phases of the value-added food industry. These might include detection and identification of food-borne pathogens, shelf-life evaluation of foods or other problems related to microbiology of foods. The group also contributes expertise to workshops provided by the Center such as Hazards Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Food Safety Roundtable, Food Microbiology, Master Canners Workshop and others as appropriate.
Specialized Equipment:
- Qualicon RiboPrinter for genetic characterization of microorganisms
- VIDAS instrument for automated immune assay
- Vitek 32 for automated identification of microorganisms
- Nikon Eclipse 400 Microscope equipped with bright field, phase contrast and fluorescence
- Nikon Phase Contrast Microscope with digital camera attached
- MJ Thermal Cycler
- MJ Opticon II Real-Time Thermal Cycler
- Phenix Tecan Microplate Reader (fluorescence, absorbance and luminescence)
- Bio-Rad Electroporation System
- Bio-Rad Electroporation System
- Bio-Rad CHEF-DRIII Pulsed-Gel Electrophoresis System
- MACS-VA 500 Microaerophilic Work Station
- Two 7-L New Brunswick Scientific Fermentors equipped with pH controller and dissolved oxygen controller
- Two Autoplate 4000 Spiral Platers
- Two Automatic Plate Counters
- Three Sorvall RC-5C Refrigerated Centrifuges
- Waters 2690 HPLC System
