Birgit Pruess, associate professor of veterinary and microbiological sciences, and Shane Stafslien, senior research specialist at NDSU Research and Creative Activities, received $74,787 in funding from the Agricultural Products and Utilization Commission for the project “Improvement of novel biofilm inhibiting materials and application in food processing."
Their research builds on the current material of beta-phenylethylamine in polyurethane that inhibited biofilm by a number of bacterial pathogens between 20 percent and 80 percent. Infusing the material with other small chemicals that the bacteria consider "food" will increase the effectiveness of the material.
Future applications of the research may range from cutting boards in households to conveyer belts in food processing plants.
The commission helps develop new and expanded uses of North Dakota's agricultural products through its grant program. Applicants come form a number of areas, including basic and applied research, marketing and utilization, farm diversification, technical assistance, nature based agri-tourism and agricultural prototype development and technology.
As a student-focused, land-grant, research university, we serve our citizens.