Research Project: Development and Validation of Predictive Models and Pathogen Modeling Programs; and Data Acquisition for International Microbial Databases

Location: Microbial and Chemical Food Safety

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon will take you to the publication reprint.)

Extraction of bioactive compounds from date fruit for nutraceutical potential - (Book / Chapter)

Fate of Listeria monocytogenes serotypes on frozen mixed vegetables during consumer-simulated thawing and storage - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Salazar, J.K., Phelps, J., Fay, M.L., Khouja, B.A., Zhou, X., Stewart, D.S., Juneja, V.K., Datta, A.R. 2025. Fate of Listeria monocytogenes serotypes on frozen mixed vegetables during consumer-simulated thawing and storage. Journal of Food Safety. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfs.70022.

Construction and validation of tertiary models for predicting growth of salmonella infantis in chicken liver during a processing chain deviation - (Peer Reviewed Journal)

A predictive growth model of Staphylococcus aureus during temperature abuse conditions - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Juneja, V.K., Osoria, M., Kapoor, H.K., Gupta, P., Salazar, J.K., Shrestha, S., Bag, S.K., Mishra, A. 2025. A predictive growth model of Staphylococcus aureus during temperature abuse conditions. Food Research International. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2025.116032.

Effect of nisin and storage temperature on outgrowth of Bacillus cereus spores in pasteurized liquid whole eggs - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Goshali, B.K., Kapoor, H.K., Kumar, G.D., Shrestha, S., Juneja, V.K., Mishra, A. 2025. Effect of nisin and storage temperature on outgrowth of Bacillus cereus spores in pasteurized liquid whole eggs. Foods. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14030532.

Synergistic fermentation of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) bio-enriched soy milk: optimization and techno-functional characterization of next generation functional vegan foods - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rana, A., Taneja, N.K., Singh, A., Dhewa, T., Kumar, V., Kumar, A., Chauhan, K., Juneja, V.K., Oberoi, H.S. 2025. Synergistic fermentation of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) bio-enriched soy milk: optimization and techno-functional characterization of next generation functional vegan foods. Discover Food. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44187-025-00269-x.

Evaluating the growth of Staphylococcus aureus during slow cooking of beef and turkey formulations from 10 °C to 54.4 °C for an extended time - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Shrestha, S., Riemann, M., Juneja, V.K., Mishra, A. 2024. Evaluating the growth of Staphylococcus aureus during slow cooking of beef and turkey formulations from 10 °C to 54.4 °C for an extended time. Journal of Food Protection. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2024.100445.

Increased thermal sensitivity of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in sous vide cooked ground beef supplemented with celery (Apium graveolens L.) seed oil or root powder - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Cosansu, S., Gündogdu, E., Altuntas, E.G., Juneja, V.K. 2024. Increased thermal sensitivity of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in sous vide cooked ground beef supplemented with celery (Apium graveolens L.) seed oil or root powder. LWT - Food Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2024.117121.

Thermal death time model for Salmonella spp. in ground chicken supplemented with olive polyphenol extract and pomegranate powder - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Juneja, V.K., Osoria, M., López-Romero, J.C., Dávila, J.G., Gupta, P., Bermudez-Aguirre, L.D., Altuntas, E.G., Cosansu, S., Valenzuela-Melendres, M. 2024. Thermal death time model for Salmonella spp. in ground chicken supplemented with olive polyphenol extract and pomegranate powder. Food Control. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2024.111038.

Breaking the biofilm barrier: Vitamin C as a novel strategy against multidrug-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Shivaprasad, D., Kaushik, A., Taneja, N., Lakra, A., Bharadwaj, D.K., Juneja, V.K., Taneja, P., Chauhan, K., Oberoi, H.S. 2025. Breaking the biofilm barrier: Vitamin C as a novel strategy against multidrug-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium. International Journal of Food Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1093/IJFOOD/vvae082.

Development and validation of a predictive model for growth of Salmonella Infantis in ground turkey - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Oscar, T.P. 2024. Development and validation of a predictive model for growth of Salmonella Infantis in ground turkey. Journal of Food Protection. 87(12). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2024.100387.

Long-term-survival phase cells of Salmonella Enteritidis ATCC 13076 exhibit significantly greater tolerance to atmospheric cold plasma treatment of shell eggs - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Barry, K., Mendonca, A., Phillips, G., Boylston, T., Dasilva, P.F., Brehm-Stecher, B., Juneja, V.K., Wan, Z. 2024. Long-term-survival phase cells of Salmonella Enteritidis ATCC 13076 exhibit significantly greater tolerance to atmospheric cold plasma treatment of shell eggs. Food Control. 4. https://doi.org/10.3389/frfst.2024.1442761.

Enhancing microbial safety and quality of milk with ultrasonication: Kinetics modeling of pathogenic bacteria and milk characteristics - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Kaushik, A., Taneja, N., Joshi, A., Juneja, V.K., Salazar, J.K., Oberoi, H. 2024. Enhancing microbial safety and quality of milk with ultrasonication: Kinetics modeling of pathogenic bacteria and milk characteristics. LWT - Food Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2024.116287.

Antagonistic activity of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances from Enterococcus lactis isolated from the surface of jalapeno peppers against foodborne pathogens - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hernandez-Mendoza, E., Peña-Ramos, E.A., Juneja, V.K., Martinez-Tellez, M.A., Gonzalez-Rios, H., Paredes-Aguilar, M., Valenzuuela-Melendre, M., Aispuro-Hernández, E. 2024. Antagonistic activity of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances from Enterococcus lactis isolated from the surface of jalapeno peppers against foodborne pathogens. Microbiology Research. 15(2):889-899. https://doi.org/10.3390/microbiolres15020058.

Food contact surfaces, risk of contamination, and solution - (Book / Chapter)
Singh, B., Chaudhary, S., Kaur, G., Juneja, V.K., Sandhu, R. 2024. Food contact surfaces, risk of contamination, and solution. Book Chapter. 496.

Poultry food assess risk model for salmonella and chicken gizzards: III. Dose consumed step - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Oscar, T.P. 2024. Poultry food assess risk model for salmonella and chicken gizzards: III. Dose consumed step. Journal of Food Protection. 87(4):100242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2024.100242.

Effects of spore purity on the wet heat resistance of Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis spores - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Juneja, V.K., Osoria, M., Altuntas, E.G., Taneja, N.K., Thakur, S., Kumar, G.D., Setlow, P. 2023. Effects of spore purity on the wet heat resistance of Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis spores. Food Research International. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2023.113904.

The role of air and aerosols in contaminating food products during food processing - (Book / Chapter)
Mohammad, Z.H., Ahmed, F., Juneja, V.K. 2024. The role of air and aerosols in contaminating food products during food processing. Microbial Biotechnology. 496 pg.

Microbial contamination in the food processing environment - (Book / Chapter)
Mohammad, Z.H., Arias-Rios, V., Ahmed, F., Juneja, V.K. 2024. Microbial contamination in the food processing environment. Microbial Biotechnology. 496.

A Novel bioprotective strain of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum F2—physiological, genetical, and antimicrobial characterization - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Altuntas, E., Sevim, B., Celik, A.A., Tok, J., Gumustas, M., Juneja, V.K., Mergen, H. 2024. A Novel bioprotective strain of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum F2—physiological, genetical, and antimicrobial characterization. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease. https://doi.org/10.1089/fpd.2024.0005.

Modeling the effects of temperature and pH on Listeria monocytogenes growth in Mexican-style pork chorizo - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Gutiérrez-Chocoza, M.A., López-Romero, J.C., García-Galaz, A., González-Ríos, H., Peña-Ramos, E.A., Juneja, V.K., Pérez-Báez, A.J., Valenzuela-Melendres, M. 2023. Modeling the effects of temperature and pH on Listeria monocytogenes growth in Mexican-style pork chorizo. Applied Food Research. 3:100336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.afres.2023.100336.

Suppression of pathogens in properly refrigerated raw milk - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Coleman, M.E., Oscar, T.P., Negley, T.L., Stephenson, M.M. 2023. Suppression of pathogens in properly refrigerated raw milk. PLOS ONE. 18(12):e0289249. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289249.

Effect of disulfide bonds on the thermal stability of pediocin: In-silico screening using molecular dynamics simulation - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Unai, M.A., Kaymaz, O., Gunes Altuntas, E., Juneja, V.K., Elmali, A. 2023. Effect of disulfide bonds on the thermal stability of pediocin: In-silico screening using molecular dynamics simulation. Journal of Food Protection. 86:100107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2023.100107.

Modeling the fate of listeria monocytogenes and salmonella enterica on fresh whole and chopped wood ear and enoki mushrooms - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Fay, M.L., Salazar, J.K., George, J., Chavda, N.J., Lingareddygari, P., Patil, G.R., Juneja, V.K., Ingram, D. 2023. Modeling the fate of listeria monocytogenes and salmonella enterica on fresh whole and chopped wood ear and enoki mushrooms. Journal of Food Protection. 114. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fm.2023.104304.

Poultry food assess risk model for salmonella and chicken gizzards: II. Illness dose step - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Oscar, T.P. 2023. Poultry food assess risk model for salmonella and chicken gizzards: II. Illness dose step. Journal of Food Protection. 86(6):100091. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2023.100091.

Optimizing the effects of nisin and NaCl to thermal inactivate Listeria monocytogenes in ground beef with chipotle sauce during sous-vide processing - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Hernandez-Mendoza, E., Peña-Ramos, E.A., Juneja, V.K., Valenzuela-Melendres, M., Scheuren-Acevedo, M.S., Osoria, M. 2023. Optimizing the effects of nisin and NaCl to thermal inactivate Listeria monocytogenes in ground beef with chipotle sauce during sous-vide processing. Journal of Food Protection. 86(5):100086. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2023.100086.

Ready-to-eat egg products formulated with nisin and organic acids to control Listeria monocytogenes - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Shrestha, S., Erdmann, J.J., Riemann, M., Kroegera, K., Juneja, V.K., Brown, T. 2023. Ready-to-eat egg products formulated with nisin and organic acids to control Listeria monocytogenes. Journal of Food Protection. 86:100081. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2023.100081.

Bacteria: Clostridium perfringens - (Book / Chapter)

Poultry food assess risk model for salmonella and chicken gizzards: I. Initial contamination - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Oscar, T.P. 2023. Poultry food assess risk model for salmonella and chicken gizzards: I. Initial contamination. Journal of Food Protection. 86(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfp.2022.100036.

Characteristics of Foodborne Hazard and Diseases: Sublethally Injured and Viable but Nonculturable Cells - (Book / Chapter)

Effect of citral on the thermal inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in ground beef - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lopez-Romero, J.C., García-Dávila, J., Peña-Ramos, E.A., González-Ríos, H., Valenzuela-Melendres, M., Osoria, M., Juneja, V.K. 2022. Effect of citral on the thermal inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in ground beef. Journal of Food Protection. 85(11):1635–1639. https://doi.org/10.4315/JFP-22-086.

Antibiotic resistance influences growth rates and cross-tolerance to lactic acid in E. coli O157:H7 H1730 - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Oguadinma, I.C., Mishra, A., Juneja, V.K., Devkumar, G. 2022. Antibiotic resistance influences growth rates and cross-tolerance to lactic acid in E. coli O157:H7 H1730. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease. 19(9). https://doi.org/10.1089/fpd.2022.0009.

Advances in multi-omics based quantitative microbial risk assessment in the dairy sector: A semi-systematic review - (Review Article)
Joshi, A., Bhardwaj, D., Kaushik, A., Juneja, V.K., Thakur, S., Taneja, N. 2022. Advances in multi-omics based quantitative microbial risk assessment in the dairy sector: A semi-systematic review. Food Research International. 156:111323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111323.

Predictive model for growth of Clostridium botulinum from spores at temperatures applicable to cooling of cooked ground pork - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Juneja, V.K., Sidhu, G., Xu, X., Osoria, M., Glass, K.A., Schill, K.M., Golden, M., Schaffner, D.W., Kumar, G.D., Subash, S., Singh, M., Mishra, A. 2022. Predictive model for growth of Clostridium botulinum from spores at temperatures applicable to cooling of cooked ground pork. Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies. 77:102960. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifset.2022.102960.

Clostridium perfringens - (Book / Chapter)

Microbiological Safety of Meat | Bacillus cereus - (Book / Chapter)

Predictive model for growth of Clostridium botulinum from spores during cooling of cooked ground chicken - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Juneja, V.K., Xu, X., Osoria, M., Glass, K.A., Schill, K.M., Golden, M., Schaffner, D.W., Devkumar, G., Dunn, L., Jadeja, R., Shrestha, S., Mishra, A. 2021. Predictive model for growth of Clostridium botulinum from spores during cooling of cooked ground chicken. Poultry Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2021.110695.