ABSTRACT Obesity is the top public health threat in the US and precedes cardiovascular disease. Little improvement in obesity incidence and prevalence has occurred in women greater than 40 years of age. Dietary calcium is known for its role in bone health and has also been implicated to have a role in body adiposity, adipokine concentration, and lipidemia. Calcium homeostasis may be affected by various factors, including dietary protein and vitamin D. Structural equation modeling may be helpful to elucidate these relationships. This study examined differences between 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25(OH)D), parathyroid hormone (PTH), and adipocytokine (adiponectin and leptin) hormone concentrations in African American (AA) and Caucasian groups of postmenopausal women and the effects of dietary calcium-to-protein ratios and vitamin D intakes on circulating levels of 25(OH)D and PTH, adiposity (BAI, BMI, and girth circumferences), adipocytokines, and lipidemia (TG, HDL, and LDL levels) using structural equation modeling (SEM). Low calcium consumers were selected (<900 mg/day). Women did not differ based on age, education level, or BMI. PTH levels were significantly lower and leptin-to-adiponectin significantly higher in AA women compared to Caucasian. There was a relationship between adiposity and 25(OH)D levels but not PTH in both groups of women. Years of menopause were longer in AA women and a major confounding factor in the model. Dietary factors did not impact adiposity, adipokines, or lipidemia in either group of women. Data indicate minimal influence of dietary calcium-to-protein ratio on obesity. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Spring Semester, 2012. / March 28, 2012. / epidemiology, nutrition, obesity, SEM / Includes bibliographical references. / Jasminka Ilich-Ernst, Professor Directing Dissertation; Katherine P. Mason, University Representative; Penny A. Ralston, Committee Member; Maria Spicer, Committee Member; Ming Cui, Committee Member.

Performance supplements (PS) consumed in close proximity to resistance exercise (RE) are an increasingly common product, especially among young males1, 2 and athletes3-6. The composition of PS vary widely, but the principle ingredients tend to include creatine monohydrate, caffeine, β-alanine (βA), the branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) leucine, isoleucine, and valine, as well as L-citrulline, and L-arginine. Manufacturer claims about effectiveness are often dubious and generally untested by peer-reviewed science. Of the small body of research specifically examining PS and RE training, none have used trained male subjects in conjunction with a pre- and post-exercise supplementation modality. This study sought to examine the effectiveness of two commercially available pre- and post-exercise supplements, No-Shotgun (SHOT) and NO-Synthesize (SYNTH) (Vital Pharmaceuticals, Davie, FL), respectively, at augmenting performance and muscle gains over the course of a 6-week training period. METHODS: Twenty-four, resistance trained men (age, 24.6 ± 4.9 years; height, 180.4 ± 5.5 cm; weight, 80.7 ± 8.8 kg) completed 6 weeks of periodized RE targeting muscles of the arms and shoulders, legs and core, and chest and back with three workouts per week. Resistance increased while repetitions decreased in two-week increments (week 1: 3x10, week 2: 3x6, and week 3: 3x4). Rest intervals of 60-90 seconds were constant between sets. Participants were assigned to one of two groups based upon maximal voluntary contraction of the quadriceps (Biodex) to lean mass ratio. Group 1 (n=6; Performance Supplement; PS) consumed one serving of NO-Shotgun® before each workout and one serving of NO-Synthesize® (Vital Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Davie, FL) immediately after each workout and on non-RT days. Group 2 (n= 3; Placebo; PLA) consumed a flavor-matched isocaloric maltodextrin placebo in the identical manner. Laboratory measurements included the following: body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; DXA), circumferences of the shoulders, chest, waist, hip, and thigh, and maximal strength of the upper (chest press; CP) and lower body (leg press; LP) using one repetition maximum lifts (1RM), Anaerobic power using 30-second Wingate cycle ergometry tests, and isokinetic and isometric strength measurements. Statistical analysis was conducted using a 2x2 repeated measures analysis of variance. Significance was set at p<0.05 and all values are reported as means + standard deviation. RESULTS: Group x time interactions were observed for lean mass (LM, p = 0.017) The PS increased LM (+4.72%, p = 0.001), while the PLA group was unchanged. Both groups demonstrated similar increases in leg press and bench press. The PS group significantly increased anaerobic power (+16.22%, p = 0.002), relative anaerobic power (+9.38%, p = 0.003), average anaerobic power (+9.94%, p = 0.015), and relative average anaerobic power (+8.21%, p = 0.028), while PLA remained unchanged. Neither group showed changes in fatigue index. The supplement had no effect on training volume for any week or exercise during the 6-week training period, but may have elevated feelings of vigor in PS (p = 0.019) . CONCLUSION: Consumption of SHOT and SYNTH immediately before and after exercise during the course of a periodized exercise training program facilitated training-induced improvement in lean mass in trained males, whereas the consumption of isocaloric carbohydrate beverage did not. PS products most likely do not offer advantages in measures of muscle strength and power in this population. Sustained SHOT and SYNTH consumption has no negative effect on mood and may improve feelings of vigor, which has been shown to decrease with heavy training. Continued investigation of similar products is warranted in this and other populations. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Fall Semester, 2011. / July 29, 2011. / Caffeine, Exercise Physiology, Resistance Exercise, Sports Nutrition, Supplements, Weightlifting / Includes bibliographical references. / Jeong-Su Kim, Professor Directing Thesis; Michael Ormsbee, Committee Member; Yu Kyoum Kim, Committee Member.

ABSTRACT Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease that is characterized by the progressive degradation and loss of articular cartilage. The etiology of OA is complex; however, it is well known that advanced age is a major risk factor for developing OA. Evidence suggests a role for inflammation, oxidative stress and damage in the progression of OA, all of which are attributable to age-related changes in cartilage. In OA, a cascade of inflammatory events is initiated by inflammatory cytokines, thereby increasing activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and accelerating oxidative damage leading to cell death. Furthermore, free ROS cause damage to DNA. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the extent to which serum and synovial fluid indicators of inflammation (C-reactive protein, CRP) and oxidative damage to DNA (8-hydroxy-2-deoxy Guanosine, 8-OH2dG) are related to OA severity. Blood and synovial fluid samples were obtained from a total of 40 men and women with knee OA undergoing arthroscopic or total knee replacement surgery. Serum and synovial fluid CRP and 8-OH2dG were analyzed using commercially available assays. The findings from this study indicate that there was no statistical difference between synovial fluid concentrations of CRP (P=0.230). Serum CRP was found to be significantly higher in patients with severe OA than in those with moderate OA (P=0.007). In patients with moderate OA the mean serum concentration of CRP exceeded the mean synovial fluid concentration by approximately 2-fold (P=0.012) whereas in those with severe OA the mean serum concentration of CRP exceeded the mean synovial fluid concentration by approximately 3-fold (P / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Summer Semester, 2012. / June 22, 2012. / Inflammation, Osteoarthritis, Oxidative Damage / Includes bibliographical references. / Bahram H. Arjmandi, Professor Directing Thesis; Jeong Su Kim, Committee Member; P. Bryant Chase, Committee Member.

Periodization signifies an athletic training program with structured variations in training volume and intensity to elicit peak performance for a pre-determined date at the completion of the structured training program. A type of periodized training, called linear periodization (LP), has long been utilized with seldom variations in volume and intensity occurring every few weeks. Moreover, in the preceding two decades, daily undulating periodization (DUP) has been examined in regards to its efficacy for resistance training outcomes. DUP employs volume and intensity alterations within a training program for every session as opposed to the infrequent changes in training variables prescribed with LP. The majority of this research has demonstrated DUP to produce significantly greater one-repetition maximum (1RM) strength gains when compared to LP. Nevertheless, it is important to continue to investigate DUP in an effort to further optimize this type of training program. Therefore, the predominant aim of the present study was to examine 1RM strength adaptations in response to two different models of DUP (a modified DUP in comparison to a tradition DUP model). Further, we investigated the effects, which these training protocols had on anabolic and catabolic blood hormonal response. Eighteen male, college-aged powerlifters (body weight: 182.00 ± 25.12lbs.) were recruited for this study and assigned to one of two groups with a different weekly training order: 1) hypertrophy, strength, and power (HSP: Traditional DUP) or 2) hypertrophy, power, and strength (HPS: Modified DUP). The study lasted a total of eight weeks with each group performing a pre-testing 1RM during the first week, followed by 6 weeks of DUP training, and a post-testing 1RM during the last week. Subjects performed only the powerlifts (squat, bench press, and deadlift exercises) on testing and training days. During hypertrophy and power training sessions, subjects performed a fixed number of sets and repetitions, which progressed from week to week. However, during strength training sessions, subjects were instructed to perform repetitions until volitional failure at a given percentage in order to measure total volume (TV) of exercise performed. Additionally, blood was collected 30 minutes prior to the strength training sessions to examine alterations in hormonal markers; testosterone and cortisol in response to the DUP training protocols. Hormonal analysis was conducted using enzyme linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay kits. For 1RM squat there was a main time effect (p<0.05); however, no difference existed between increases for HSP (+7.93%) and HPS (+10.48%). Regarding bench press, only HPS significantly increased their 1RM by 8.13%, while the 1RM bench press in HSP did not significantly increase over the course of the study. There was an overall main time effect for 1RM deadlift increase (HSP: +6.70%, HPS: +7.57%) and powerlifting total (HSP: 6.70%, HPS: +8.66%), but no difference existed between groups for either measure. TV in HPS was significantly greater (p<0.05) than HSP for squat, bench press, and powerlifting total; however, there was no difference between groups (p>0.05) for the deadlift. Concerning testosterone and cortisol there was no group effect (p>0.05). Each variable, however, experienced an overall main time effect (p<0.05) with testosterone concentrations being significantly lower than pre-testing levels during weeks 5 and 6 of training, while cortisol experienced a decline during training weeks 3 and 4. Both hormones recovered to pre-testing levels in the following weeks. Our findings suggest that DUP training is effective for providing significant strength benefits over a 6-week training period in already trained powerlifters. Further, the modified DUP model (HPS) may provide additional 1RM benefits in the bench press over a 6-week training period due to an increased TV of exercise. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Spring Semester, 2012. / March 26, 2012. / Periodization, Powerlifting, Resistance Training, Skeletal Muscle, Squats Deadlifts, Strength / Includes bibliographical references. / Jeong-Su Kim, Professor Directing Dissertation; Robert J. Contreras, University Representative; Lynn B. Panton, Committee Member.

Breast cancer survivors (BCS) encounter side effects from cancer treatments that negatively affect body composition. Studies have shown that resistance training (RT) and dried plum (DP) consumption may elicit positive body composition changes. The purpose was to assess 27 BCS, (RT, n=14; RT+DP, n=13) pre-and post-intervention (6 months) on the following variables: total body and regional sites (lumbar spine, femur, and forearm) of bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition (by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry), biochemical markers of bone turnover (bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, BAP and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase, TRAP-5b), muscular strength (chest press and leg extension 1-repetition maximums), and physical function (Continuous Scale Physical Functional Performance test). RT consisted of two days/week of ten exercises including two sets of 8-12 repetitions at ~60-80% of 1RM. RT+DP also consumed 90g of DP daily. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed no baseline differences between groups for any of the variables. A two-way group x time ANOVA revealed no interaction for any variables. Time effects were observed for BMD of the right forearm, with the RT+DP group losing significant (p<0.05) BMD from baseline to 6 months (0.476±0.059 to 0.464±0.054g/cm2). No other BMD or body composition variables were changed over the course of the study. TRAP-5b was significantly (p<0.05) decreased for the RT group (4.55±1.57 to 4.03±1.81U/L) as well as for the RT+DP group (p=0.07) (5.10±2.75 to 3.77±1.80U/L). BAP did not change over the course of the study. BCS significantly (p<0.05) increased upper [RT(68±20 to 82±21kg); RT+DP(72±24 to 96±22kg)] and lower [RT(72±19 to 88±28kg); RT+DP(77±17 to 99±19kg)] body strength and total physical function [RT(67.2±10.2 to 73.5±10.1units); RT+DP(63.7±14.1to 73.6±14.5units)]. Results showed DP did not provide additional BMD or biochemical bone turnover benefits to RT for the variables assessed. RT could be an effective means to improve biochemical markers of bone turnover, muscular strength, and physical function in BCS. A longer intervention may be needed to elicit positive changes in body composition and BMD and to reveal the true effects of DP on modulating BMD and biochemical markers of bone turnover. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Fall Semester, 2011. / October 28, 2011. / Body Composition, Bone Mineral Density, Breast Cancer, Muscular Strength, Physical Function, Resistance Exercise / Includes bibliographical references. / Lynn B. Panton, Professor Directing Dissertation; Gershon Tenenbaum, University Representative; Bahram H. Arjmandi, Committee Member; Jasminka Z. Ilich, Committee Member; Jeong-Su Kim, Committee Member.

Background: The cardiovascular (CV) and metabolic health benefits or risks associated with consumption of multi-ingredient performance enhancing supplements (MIPS) in conjunction with periodized resistance training (RT) in resistance trained men are unknown. This population is a major target audience for performance supplements, and therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the combined effect of RT and commercially available pre- and post-exercise performance supplements, NO-Shotgun® (SHOT) and NO-Synthesize® (SYN), respectively, on CV risk and body composition in resistance trained men. Methods: Twenty-four resistance trained men completed 6 weeks (3 times/week) of whole-body periodized RT while either ingesting SHOT 30 min pre-exercise and SYN immediately post-exercise or an isocaloric maltodextrin placebo (PL) 30 min pre-exercise and immediately post-exercise. Before and after 6 weeks of RT and supplementation, resting heart rate (HR), blood pressures (BP), total body fat, android fat, gynoid fat, fat-free mass (FFM) and fasting blood measures of glucose, lipids, nitrate/nitrite (NOx), cortisol, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Statistical analysis was conducted using a 2 x 2 (group x time) repeated measures ANOVA. Significance was set at p<0.05. Results: There was no group x time interaction for HR, BP, blood glucose, lipids, NOx, CRP, cortisol concentrations or body fat. However, there was a time effect where significant decreases in body fat (MIPS: -1.2±1.2%; PL: -0.9±1.1%), android fat (MIPS: -1.8±2.1%; PL: -1.6±2.0%), and gynoid fat (MIPS: -1.3±1.6%; PL: -1.0±1.4%) for both groups were observed. FFM increased in both groups, with MIPS increasing significantly more than the PL group (4.2% vs. 1.9%, p=0.0247). Conclusions: 6 weeks of MIPS ingestion and periodized RT does not alter CV health parameters or blood indices of health or body fat more than a PL treatment in healthy, resistance-trained men. However, MIPS significantly increased FFM. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Summer Semester, 2012. / June 19, 2012. / Body Composition, Exercise, Fat-free mass, Resistance Training, Weight lifting, Workout Supplement / Includes bibliographical references. / Michael J. Ormsbee, Professor Directing Thesis; Jeong-Su Kim, Committee Member; Yu Kyoum Kim, Committee Member.

Evidence from epidemiological studies indicates that the incidence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality peaks during the winter months. In fact, cold temperatures have been implicated as the putative factor associated with increased risk of hypertension as well as adverse cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction, stroke, and fatal arrhythmias. In addition, exposure to cold temperatures ( PURPOSE: The aim of this proposed study was twofold 1) to evaluate the acute BP, wave refection (augmentation index, AIx), and cardiac autonomic responses during cold exposure with concurrent isometric exercise, and 2) to examine the effects of a 14-day course of L-cit supplementation on BP, arterial stiffness, wave reflection, and cardiac autonomic modulation during acute cold exposure at rest and during isometric exercise. We hypothesized that L-cit supplementation would reduce the BP, wave reflection, and cardiac sympathetic activity to cold exposure and isometric handgrip exercise (IHG). METHODS: In a crossover randomized fashion, 20 healthy young (23 ± 3 yr.) male participants volunteered for this study. Subjects were instructed to assume the supine position for 30 min inside an environmental chamber at cold (4ºC) or temperate ( temp,24ºC) conditions. Radial waveforms and heart rate variability (HRV) were obtained by means of applanation tonometry and heart rate monitor respectively. After 5 min of rest (RES) measurements the participants were asked to perform a 3 min IHG at 30% of their maximal voluntary contraction followed by a 3 min recovery (REC) period. After baseline measurements, subjects were assigned to either a Placebo (Maltodextrin, PL) or L-cit group for 14 days followed by 14 days of washout period, and 14 days of the second treatment. Cardiovascular function was evaluated during both cold and temp conditions before the first supplementation period, thereafter cardiovascular function was evaluated after 14 days of the first treatment, 14 days of washout period, and 14 days of a second treatment at 4ºC only. RESULTS: Height, weight, body mass index, and waist circumference were 1.77 ± 0.01 m, 84.7 ± 3.12 kg, 27.1 ± 1.0 kg/m2, and 88.5 ± 2.9 cm respectively. All 20 participants completed the experiments for the acute responses to cold versus temp and 16 completed the supplementation intervention (two dropped for personal reasons and two were not interested in participating in the intervention). Both, brachial systolic BP (BSBP) and aortic systolic BP (ASBP) were higher (P CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge this is the first report showing hemodynamic responses to IHG during whole-body cold exposure and the effects of short-term after L-cit supplementation on these responses. These findings suggest that cold exposure imposes an additional increase in AIx and ΔEw during exercise that may ultimately lead to an attenuated cardiac vagal reactivation and sympathetic withdrawal after acute exercise. In addition, we demostarted that L-cit supplementation is an effective means to decrease the cold induced hypertensive responses and ΔEw at RES and REC, but not during IHG. In conclusion, L-cit supplementation may be a feasible adjuvant treatment to decrease the cold induced hypertensive response and ultimately provide cardioprotection in those exposed to low ambient temperature conditions. Further research is warranted in order to evaluate the effects of cold exposure and exercise in populations at increased cardiovascular risk. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Spring Semester 2012. / March 16, 2012. / blood pressure, cold exposure, heart rate variability, isometric exercise, L-citrulline, wave reflection / Includes bibliographical references. / Arturo Figueroa, Professor Directing Dissertation; Michael Overton, University Representative; Michael Ormsbee, Committee Member; Jeong-Su Kim, Committee Member.

Uncorrected defects in the kinetochore-microtubule interaction lead to chromosome mis-segregation and aneuploidy, a phenotype found in over 90% of cancers. Therefore cells have developed different strategies to ensure chromosome bipolar attachment occurs prior to anaphase entry. We provide evidence to suggest a previously uncharacterized mechanism in which budding yeast clusters kinetochores to facilitate chromosome bipolar attachment. Additionally, we have conducted a screen for genes required in the response to syntelic attachments, wherein both sister kinetochores are attached by microtubules emanating from a single spindle pole. The budding yeast kinetochore protein Slk19 has been previously shown to play a role in mitotic exit and spindle stability, but its function at the kinetochore has remained a mystery. We have found that, independently of the spindle, Slk19 clusters kinetochores and provides centromeric cohesion. Althoughslk19deletion fails to show a dramatic cell cycle delay in an unperturbed cell cycle, we found that upon disruption of the kinetochore-microtubule interaction,slk19mutants take a longer time to re-capture the kinetochore and show delayed chromosome bipolar attachment. Syntelic attachment occurs when sister kinetochores are bound to microtubules emanating from the same spindle pole. This fails to generate tension on a chromosome and triggers the tension checkpoint. Unfortunately, an approach to induce syntelic attachment has not been made available. The Cik1-Kar3 complex is a minus-end microtubule motor complex which has been shown to be involved in chromosome transport. Interestingly, we have recently found that conditional disruption of the Cik1-Kar3 complex leads to a higher frequency of chromosomes with syntelic attachment. Importantly, this disruption is not lethal to wild type cells, making it possible to identify genes required for the response to syntelic attachment. Therefore we conducted a screen by conditionally disrupting the Cik1-Kar3 complex in mutants that are synthetically lethal tocik1and/orkar3deletion. We speculate that some of these genes could be involved in checkpoint control, bipolar attachment, or error correction in the response to syntelic attachment. Our focus is on genes responsible for the tension checkpoint. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Biomedical Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Summer Semester, 2012. / June 29, 2012. / Budding yeast, Chromosome Segregation, Slk19, Tension Checkpoint / Includes bibliographical references. / Yanchang Wang, Professor Directing Dissertation; Thomas Keller, III, University Representative; Myra Hurt, Committee Member; Akash Gunjan, Committee Member.

In the US, 0.2% children and 0.5% adults are suffering from tree nut allergies while almond allergy ranks the third among tree nut allergies. Several allergenic proteins are identified in almond. The major protein in almond, amandin, which accounts for ~65% of soluble proteins, is highly thermal stable. In liquid system, fifteen phenolic compounds (1) tannic acid (2) tannin (3) ellagic acid (4) (+)-catechin (5) phenol (6) grape skin extract (7) grape seed extract (8) red wine concentrate (9) tea tannins (10) coffee (11) coffee tannins (12) pinto bean tannins (13) almond skin tannins (14) walnut tannins (15) small red bean tannins were mixed with whole almond extract with a concentration (2 mg/ml) ratio 1:1. Only grape skin tannins and tea tannins can reduce immunoreactivity of almond proteins in room temperature incubation while after 100ºC heating, different phenolic compounds had different effects on immunoreactivity. Among the 15 polyphenols, tannic acid, tannin, ellagic acid, grape skin, red wine, tea tannins and walnut were able to retain or even increase the immunoreactivity. On the other hand, addition of coffee tannins, small red bean tannins, phenol, grape skin tannins, coffee, and pinto bean tannins can further reduce the immunoreactivity significantly compared to cooked whole almond (WA) extract without any phenolics. In solid system, almond flours were subjected to dry roasting, microwaving, autoclaving, and blanching. Among these processing methods, autoclaving and blanching managed to destroy 4C10 reactive epitope while others cannot. After most of the thermal processing tested, amandin immunoreactivity can recover and remain unchanged. Maillard reactions between sugars and almond proteins can significantly reduce immunoreactivity in presence of 20% sugars, especially corn syrup with higher aw, compared to processing alone. Moreover, adding of phenolics (e.g. ellagic acid and grape seed tannins) showed the similar effect as adding sugars. In conclusion, the loss of amandin immunoreactivity was most likely due to the chemical modifications of these matrix constituents such as sugars and phenolics instead of thermal processing alone. Nonetheless, during processing with a more intensive Maillard reaction (dry roasting with 20% sugar or corn syrup or microwaving 3 min), ellagic acid can hinder the effect of Maillard reaction by anti-glycation and decreasing system pH. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. / Fall Semester, 2012. / October 15, 2012. / Almond, Immunoreactivity, Maillard reaction, Phenolic compounds, Thermal processing / Includes bibliographical references. / Shridhar K. Sathe, Professor Directing Thesis; Yun-Hwa Peggy Hsieh, Committee Member; Mary Ann Moore, Committee Member.

Fish is classed as a major allergenic food under the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA), which requires accurate information on food allergens to be included in the label of food products. Fishmeal, a fish by-product, is a common protein source in animal feed but it has been banned for use in ruminant feed under the transmissible spongiform encephalopathy regulations in European Union, Japan and Australia. Currently, there is no convenient and reliable method available for the detection of fish in food and animal feed. The overall goal of this study was, therefore, to develop a sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (sELISA) for the detection of fish and fish products. The specific objectives were to: 1) identify a suitable marker protein to indicate the presence of fish in food; and 2) develop an immunoassay based on this marker protein for the detection of fish in foods. A 36 kDa thermal-stable protein recognized by a previously developed fish-specific monoclonal antibody (MAb) 8F5 in cooked fish extract was present in all 55 fish species tested. Because of its presence in common food fish species and the thermal-stability of the 36 kDa protein, this was identified as a potentially suitable marker protein. The 36 kDa protein was further characterized along with fish tropomyosin because of their similarity in molecular weight, protein banding pattern and thermal-stability. The results showed that the 36 kDa protein and fish tropomyosin both exhibited molecular migration in urea gel and were recognized by MAb 8F5 in an immunoblot test. In addition, the 36 kDa protein and fish tropomyosin had matching amino acid compositions and identical protein sequence (12 amino acid residues). Furthermore, the MAb 8F5 epitope contained the conserved region of fish tropomyosin. Based on these results, the 36 kDa was verified to be fish tropomyosin, a ubiquitous muscle protein with equal distribution in muscle tissue in different locations. Fish tropomyosin was therefore deemed a suitable marker protein for fish detection in an immunoassay. In order to develop a user-friendly sELISA for fish detection, a polyclonal antibody (PAb) was raised against fish tropomyosin to pair with MAb 8F5. However, PAb competes with MAb 8F5 for the same epitope, so PAb was used as both the capture antibody and the detection antibody for the sELISA after depleting the non-specific cross-reactivity. The optimized assay was specific to both raw and cooked samples of all 64 fish species tested with no cross-reaction with shellfish, land animals and food additives. The assay was also capable of detecting fishmeal and processed fish products (salting, smoking, canning). The assay exhibited low intra- (%CV ≤ 8.9%) and inter-assay variability (%CV ≤ 9.4%). The limit of detection of the assay was 0.1 ppm for both raw and cooked fish (pollock and basa) in crab meat. The polyclonal antibody-based sELISA developed for this study is expected to be a useful tool for the qualitative detection of fish muscle protein in food products to reduce the risks associated with fish allergies and enforce the food safety laws. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. / Fall Semester, 2012. / October 17, 2012. / Allergy, Fish, Immunoassay, Sandwich ELISA, Tropomyosin / Includes bibliographical references. / Yun-Hwa Peggy Hsieh, Professor Directing Dissertation; Kenneth H. Roux, University Representative; Bahram H. Arjmandi, Committee Member; Jeong-Su Kim, Committee Member.