My research interest is on the post-harvest physiology and technology of fresh
fruits and vegetables. My specific basic interest is on the effects of post-harvest
abiotic stresses (e.g., temperature, wounding, water stress, atmospheres, light,
and pressure) on fruit and vegetable physiology, quality, and phytochemical
content of fresh produce. Practical research would be in developing technologies
for fresh-cut produce and modified atmosphere packaging design.
A second research area of interest is on food physico-chemistry. My specific
basic interest is in mass transfer properties in biological systems (e.g., diffusion
of gases, flavor compounds, solutes from biopolymer and plant tissue systems)
and the effect of unit operations on the stability of phytochemical compounds.
Practical research would be in developing technologies for controlled release
of compounds from gel systems, coatings and edible films and phytochemical extraction
from plant tissues.
My international research interest will be focused on working with Latin American
scientists to study the post-harvest physiology and technology of native crops
from Latin America.
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