In an ALS, the food subsystem must integrate with other subsystems. Researchers at Purdue and Alabama A&M Universities are addressing the energetics, safety, and other requirements for an ALS food subsystem for a NASA mission to Mars. Three major research areas are ongoing to meet these needs. The first area focuses on development of a phage display assay for the multiplexed detection of pathogens in potable water and food. The goal of this research is to harness the power of bacterial phage display to develop a biological amplifier for the detection of small numbers of pathogenic organisms in potable water and foods. The second research area focuses on optimizing food safety through development of an integrated HACCP (hazard analysis and critical control points) system for both food safety and non-food safety personnel. Sampling plans at each point in processing and packaging will be developed. Monitoring, critical limits, and corrective actions for problematic microorganisms will be defined. The third research area focuses on defining and minimizing ESM (equivalent system mass) requirements of the food system while maintaining safety, quality, and nutrition in the food supply.


Food Group Leader
Bruce Applegate
Assistant Professor of Food Science
Purdue University
Phone: 765.496.7920
e-Mail: applegate@foodsci.purdue.edu