Cleveland State University Faculty Pioneering Advances in Fresh Produce Safety Assessment

Cleveland State University proudly announces a groundbreaking research endeavor led by faculty members Dr. Chandra Kothapalli, Professor in Chemical and Biomedical Engineering within the College of Engineering, and Dr. Partha Srinivasan, Professor in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics in the College of Arts and Sciences. The collaborative work, titled "Total Amino Acids Concentration as a Reliable Predictor of Free Chlorine Levels in Dynamic Fresh Produce Washing Process," was published in Food Chemistry (Vol. 335, 127651, 2021).

This innovative research introduces a novel method for assessing fresh produce's wash water safety levels, focusing on utilizing total amino acids concentration. The study sheds light on how this novel approach can reliably predict free chlorine levels during the dynamic fresh produce washing process. Notably, the methodology has gained recognition and endorsement from the Panel on Biological Hazards to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

"Our collaborative work combing laboratory experiments and modeling truly bridges the disciplines of Chemical & Biomedical Engineering and Mathematics to address a critical aspect of food safety," notes Dr. Chandra Kothapalli. "Our findings have the potential to reshape how we evaluate and ensure water safety in the fresh produce industry."

Dr. Partha Srinivasan, as the Corresponding Author, emphasizes the importance of their work in contributing to the broader field of food safety. "Our research aligns very well with international standards, as evidenced by the endorsement from the EFSA's Panel on Biological Hazards. This recognition underscores the potential impact our methodology can have on improving water safety levels for fresh produce sanitization."

Cleveland State University continues to be at the forefront of cutting-edge research, and this collaborative effort between the College of Engineering and the College of Arts and Sciences exemplifies the university's commitment to advancing knowledge and addressing real-world challenges.

Chandra Kothapalli, Professor, Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Cleveland State University	Partha Srinivasan, Professor in the Department of Mathematics & Statistics, College of Arts and Sciences, Cleveland State University