Robert Beelman (Chair), Mushrooms, Fruits, Vegetables
Ramaswamy Anantheswaran, Mushrooms, Fruits, Vegetables
Luke LaBorde, Secretary - Fruits, Vegetables, Mushrooms
Devin Peterson, Fruits and Vegetables, Mushrooms
John Floros, Fruits and Vegetables
Lynne Brown, Soybeans, Phytochemicals communication
Hassan Gourama, Molds and Mycotoxins

The Pennsylvania agriculture and food industry is both large and diverse. The Commonwealth is among the leading states in the production and processing of numerous fruits, vegetables, and cereals. Pennsylvania also leads the nation in the production and processing of mushrooms. It is the goal of the Plant and Mushroom Products group to conduct teaching, research and outreach programs that will make Penn State a premier institution in improving the quality of and adding value to plant and mushroom products. The diverse group of faculty members listed below seek to enhance the sustainability of the food systems involved in producing and processing these products in Pennsylvania and beyond.

Activities and accomplishments of the Plant and Mushroom Products Impact Group:

RESEARCH  |  TEACHING  |  OUTREACH

RESEARCH

Publications

Refereed Articles:

Spolar, M.R., Schaffer, E.M., Beelman, R.B. and Milner, J.A. 1999. Selenium-enriched Agaricus bisporus mushrooms suppress 7,12-dimethlybenz(A)anthracence bioactivation in mammary tissue. Cancer Letters 138:145-50.

Ghosh, V. & Anantheswaran, R. C. 2001. Oxygen transmission rate through microperforated films: Measurement and model comparison. J. Food Process Engineering 24:113-134.

Peterson, D.G. and Fulcher, R.G. 2001. Variation in Minnesota HRS wheats: Starch granule size distribution. Food Research International 34(4): 357-363.

Peterson, D.G and Fulcher, R.G. 2001. A simple digital conversion of a traditional laboratory mixograph. Cereal Research Communications 29(3-4): 397-404.

Seetharaman, K., Chinnapha, N., Waniska, R.D., and White, P.J. 2001. Texture and starch pasting properties during storage of hamburger buns and wheat flour tortillas. Accepted by Journal of Cereal Science 2001.

Werner, A.W., and Beelman, R.B. 2002. Growing high-selenium edible and medicinal button mushrooms (Agaricus bisporus) (J. Lge) Imbach) as ingredients for functional foods or dietary supplements. Int. J. Med. Mush. 4:194-210.

Chikthimmah, N., LaBorde, L.F., and Beelman, R.B. 2003. Critical factors affecting the destruction of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 in apple cider treated with fumaric acid and sodium benzoate. Journal of Food Science 86(4):1438-1442.

Pandrangi S., Anantheswaran RC, Elwell MW, and LaBorde LF. 2003. Efficacy of sulfuric acid scarification treatment in eliminating Escherichia coli O157:H7 from alfalfa seeds prior to sprouting. Journal of Food Science. 68(2): 613-618.

LaBorde, L.F. and O. Padilla-Zakour. 2003. Application of low temperature heat treatments before retorting improves the quality of canned potatoes. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation. J Food Proc Pres 27(3):195-212.

Okull, D., Beelman, R.B., and Gourama, H. 2003. Evaluation of mushroom secondary metabolites, 10-oxo-trans-8-decenoic acid and 1-octen-3-ol, as antifungal compounds and potential food preservatives. J. Food Prot. 66(8):1503-1505.

Pandrangi S, LaBorde LF. 2004. Optimization of microbiological assay of folic acid and determination of folate content in spinach. International Journal of Food Science and Technology 39(5) 525-532.

Okull DO, LaBorde LF. 2004. Activity of electrolyzed oxidizing water against Penicillium expansum in suspension and on wounded apples. Journal of Food Science (69)1 FMS 23-27.

Pandrangi S, LaBorde LF. 2004. Retention of folate, carotenoids, and other quality characteristics in commercially packaged fresh spinach. Journal of Food Science 69(9):C702-7.

Beelman RB, Royse D, and Chikthimmah N. Bioactive components in button mushroom Agaricus bisporus (J. Lge) Imbach of nutritional, medicinal, and biological importance (Review). Proceedings of the XVI th International Congress on the Science and Cultivation of Edible and Medicinal Fungi. Romaine, Keil, Rinker and Royse (eds). March 14-17, 2004. Miami, FL. U.S.A.

TEACHING

Food Science 413. Science and Technology of Plant Foods. Instructor: R. Beelman
Food Science 430. Unit Operations in Food Processing. Instructor: R.C. Anantheswaran

OUTREACH

Conferences and Workshops

44th Mushroom Industry Conference, June 23-26, 2002. University Park, Pennsylvania

Mushroom Food Safety and Sanitation Workshop, November 13, 2001. Avondale, PA

Mushroom Food Safety Workshop - Managing Risks to Ensure Safe Food Supplies, April 4, 2000. San Jose, CA

Mushroom Food Safety Workshop - Managing Risks to Ensure Safe Food Supplies, November 16-17 1999. Avondale, PA

Food Safety and Sanitation for Fruit Packers, July 10, 2002. Biglerville, PA

45th Mushroom Industry Conference, June 8-11, 2003. University Park, PA

Juice HACCP Workshop, August 4-5, 2003. Leesport, PA

46th Mushroom Industry Conference, June 6-9, 2004. University Park, PA