Jodi Frederick
(509) 335-6653
jfrederick@wsu.edu

The IMPACT Center Awards Nine Research
Grants to WSU Scientists

Pullman, Wash. -- November 17, 2004 the IMPACT Center Advisory Board announced the selection of nine research projects for funding through a USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service grant.

Projects are selected by the IMPACT Center advisory board through a competitive selection process. Project funds must first be cleared through the USDA CSREES and are expected to start in July 2005.

Dr. Kim Kidwell, a scientist in Crop and Soil Sciences, in conjunction with Dr. Kerry Huber of the University of Idaho is working to develop a variety of hard white wheat suitable for making both Chinese noodles and bread. The project is in its second year. During the previous year HWW varieties were planted near Moses Lake, Washington and have been analyzed for starch type and protein content and type.

Dr. Shulin Chen, a scientist in Biological Systems Engineering is the principal investigator on a project aimed at developing new high-value products from potato waste by finding ways to extract Omega-3 from cull potatoes. This effort will mix algae biomass into dairy cattle feed. Dairy cows on this feed would then convert feed into milk fortified with Omega-3. The project will benefit the environment by taking thousands of tons of cull potatoes from the waste stream, increasing profits to growers, and providing the public with enhanced milk products.

Dr. Barbara Rasco, an associate professor and scientist in Food Science and Human Nutrition, will be researching ways to improve food safety monitoring and food traceability systems with an emphasis on production and export of aquatic foods. Rasco will also work to develop recommendations to assist food exporters as they work to face and overcome trade restrictions resulting from heightened food security measures in the United States and abroad.

Matthew Whiting of WSU Prosser, John Fellman of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture, and Jill McCluskey in the School of Economic Sciences will be investigating feasibility and consumer opinion of stemless sweet cherries. Recent labor shortages in the fruit industry have caused growers to evaluate current harvesting systems and make what was once the idea of a mechanical harvester a reality. The project will examine the effects of a mechanical harvest system on fruit quality, investigate the post harvest shelf-life of stemless sweet cherries and evaluate consumer reaction to stemless sweet cherries.

David Holland, a professor in the School of Economic Sciences, is developing a model to assess the economic impact of agricultural exports on rural and urban regions of the Washington state economy. The project is in its second year and will build upon research completed in the previous year in which researchers developed a theory-based economic simulation model of Washington’s economy for the analysis of policies and new technologies associated with agriculture and food exports.

Dr. Carter Clary and Dr. Juming Tang, scientists in Biological Systems Engineering, are the principal investigators on a project designed to improve the value and quality of dried fruits using microwave vacuum technology. The goal of this research is to develop a better understanding of how continuous wave microwave energy heats in a vacuum environment to preserve fresh characteristics of fruits so the fruit can be utilized by the cereal industry.

Dr. Marie Laborie, an assistant professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering, is the principal investigator of a research project that focuses on developing Nan composites of cellulose and thermoplastic biopolymers that have tailored properties and biodegradability. With the expanding European market for biomaterials, producers in Washington need to position themselves to become leaders in this technology.

Gustavo Barbosa and David Sepulveda of Biological Systems Engineering, Stephanie Clark and Barry Swanson of Food Science and Human Nutrition, and Jill McCluskey and Herb Hinman from the School of Economic Sciences are collaborating on a project designed to expand international marketing opportunities for pasteurized milk. The main objective of the project is to develop a competitive preservation process capable of extending the shelf life of thermally pasteurized fluid milk while maintaining its sensory characteristics. This project is in its second year.

Barbosa is also the principal investigator on a project working to open new international marketing opportunities for high-pressure thermally sterilized vegetables. The goal is to adapt newly established high-pressure thermal sterilization methods to market new, safe, and convenient vegetable products with high shelf stability.

The IMPACT Center was established in 1985 to address issues important to the future of Washington agriculture, food systems and the state’s economy. The IMPACT Center uses science and technology to improve the competitiveness of Washington agriculture in overseas markets.

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