Location: Grain Quality and Structure Research
Project Number: 3020-30600-001-005-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2025
End Date: Aug 31, 2027
Objective:
1. Determine the efficacy of sorghum polyphenol biofilm matrix in maintaining freshness and limiting microbial growth in economically important aquaculture food products (tilapia filets).
2. Assess the effects of traditional and novel food safety technologies on the end-use quality of high polyphenol sorghum grain and flour.
Approach:
Sorghum can serve as an economically effective source for polyphenol production in the agricultural setting. For high polyphenol sorghum to be grown as a value-added crop, demand needs to be established through rigorous studies determining sorghum polyphenol end-use quality in food safety and human health applications. Additionally, the processing techniques of sorghum to increase product safety and shelf life needs to be evaluated as to how these processing techniques affect the functionality of sorghum polyphenols.
1. In objective one, sorghum polyphenols will be incorporated in a gelatin biofilm to coat tilapia filets. The coated and uncoated tilapia will be stored in vacuum sealed bags in the refrigerator. Tilapia freshness and microbial markers will be evaluated over the 21-day storage period. This research will benefit both the sorghum industry and the aquaculture industry because by potentially increasing demand for high phenolic sorghum and extending the safe storage time of aquaculture products.
2. High polyphenol sorghum grain will be treated with traditional (irradiation) and novel (cold plasma and water-activated plasma) food safety technologies. Following treatments, the polyphenol content and bioactivity of sorghum polyphenols will be evaluated. End-product quality of cooked sorghum products will be assessed.