Killinger, K.

Karen Killinger

Searching for Organic Antimicrobials

Organic food production in Washington State is expanding rapidly. However, this industry is hampered by the lack of effective antimicrobial agents which can be used in organic food production. Plants rely on innate immunity to defend microbial invasion, depending on the antimicrobial effects of phytocompounds. Plants (herbs) with high antimicrobial contents were used to treat […]

Sustainable Sanitation Technique for Postharvest Quality and Safety of Organic Fruits

A robust infrastructure is integral to the quality, growth and sustainability of the organic agriculture industry, including requirements for product safety. The microbial safety of fresh produce is a common concern, highlighted by recent outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes. This project builds on our previous research investigating the potential of […]

Sustainable Sanitation Technique for Postharvest Quality and Safety of Organic Fruits

The postharvest quality of small fruits is limited by fungal growth caused by spoilage organisms such as Penicillium expansum and Botrytis cinerea. Furthermore, the microbial safety of fresh produce is a common concern as highlighted by recent outbreaks caused by Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) […]