NIHS has executed the contract for the Natural Antimicrobials to Mitigate Biological Threat Agents Project

Date:  January 6, 2010

NIHS has executed the contract for the Natural Antimicrobials to Mitigate Biological Threat Agents project.  This project will be led by Dr. Melissa Newman with the University of Kentucky. 

Dr. Newman is identifying effective Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) antimicrobials that can be utilized as either a direct additive in the product formulation, as an edible bio-film/coating, or as a component of the packaging process to control the growth and survival of bio-threat agents in foods. This research will evaluate the effectiveness of GRAS compounds incorporated into packaging components or volatized in the packaging atmosphere to control target bacteria in raw produce and Ready to Eat (RTE) foods. It will also determine whether the organoleptic (visual and taste) properties of foods are affected by antimicrobial compounds that are utilized to control target organisms.

The results of this research should provide effective, safe, economical and practical solutions for food processors attempting to control the growth of several threat agents in high-risk foods.

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The Challenge

The task of assuring the security of our homeland involves protecting the citizens of the United States, the nation's critical infrastructure and key assets. This is necessary to sustain the nation's vitality against terrorism and other threats. This protection must originate at the community level. It requires discovering, developing and deploying new technology that will support first responders and key decision makers in local communities.

The Mission

NIHS' mission is to discover, develop and deploy solutions that protect and preserve the critical infrastructure of the nation's communities.

The Institute

NIHS aligns projects and research objectives with the needs and requirements of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The strategy is to manage a distributed research enterprise that effectively transitions research and development into solutions. NIHS works with DHS to determine technology needs at the community level. Then, teams are quickly assembled from multiple universities to develop solutions to the needs.

The Strategy

Through management of the Kentucky Critical Infrastructure Protections Program (KCI), the National Institute for Hometown Security (NIHS) provides an ongoing, integrated program dedicated to developing new technologies and devices. NIHS works through qualified academic institutions to accomplish the technological objectives.