I estimated yield, population metrics, production costs, and evaluated consumer acceptability and nutritive content of crayfish (Procambarus clarkii, P. zonangulus) harvested from moist-soil wetlands in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley (MAV) during springs 2009-2011. I also compared nutrient and sediment concentrations and loads exported from moist-soil wetlands and nearest agriculture fields in the MAV during winters 2010-2012. Daily yield of crayfish from moist-soil wetlands was 2.4 kg (wet) ha-1 (SE = 0.50; 95% CI = 1.3-3.4). When graded by size, yield of large crayfish (> 30 g) from wetlands dominated by P. clarkii was four times greater (P < 0.05) than yield of large crayfish from wetlands dominated by P. zonangulus. Crayfish harvesting costs (2013 US dollars [$]) ranged from $405.69 ha-1 to $917.88 ha-1 and breakeven selling prices ranged from $3.74 kg-1 to $8.49 kg-1. Consumer acceptability, proximate composition, and total fatty acid content of P. clarkii did not differ (0.73 > P > 0.11) between crayfish harvested from moist-soil wetlands and rice-crayfish culture fields in Louisiana. Although selling prices likely will not compete with prices for crayfish harvested from Louisiana rice fields ($2.75 kg-1; 2012 US$), harvesting crayfish from moist-soil wetlands may enhance recreational opportunities while increasing awareness of ecosystem benefits of these wetlands. Although concentrations (mg L-1) of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) in runoff from moist-soil wetlands and adjoining croplands did not differ (P = 0.95), concentrations of total and particulate phosphorus, nitrate-nitrogen, and total suspended solids were 42, 52, 86, and 89% lower (P < 0.03) in runoff from moist-soil wetlands. However, the load (kg ha-1) of SRP from moist-soil wetlands was six times (P = 0.08) greater than load from croplands. Estimated loading rate of total phosphorus from moistsoil wetlands (2.36 kg ha-1 year-1) was greater than the rate reported by regulatory agencies in Mississippi (1 kg ha-1 year-1), but field replication is needed to verify these results. Nearly 80% of the total loads exported from moist-soil wetlands occurred during < 30% runoff events. Retention of runoff from storm events may reduce phosphorus loss from moist-soil wetlands while not interfering with conservation objectives.

Research was conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary amino acid (AA) density (Deficient (D), Low (L), High (H), and Excessive (E)) on broiler breast and thigh meat quality. As expected, the feed conversion improved (P<0.05) as AA density increased. No differences (P>0.05) existed among treatments with regard to final pH, cooking loss, shear force, brine absorption proximate analysis, and average consumer acceptability of breast meat. The D AA diet yielded meat with less (P<0.05) moisture, less protein (P<0.05) and more fat (P<0.05) than all other treatments. Increasing AA density in the diet led to increased (P<0.05) concentrations of linoleic and linolenic acid in the thigh meat from the H and E treatments, thus making it more susceptible to oxidation (P<0.05) in comparison to the D and L treatments. Overall, data revealed that all four AA diets yielded high-quality breast and thigh meat with minimal product differences.

The objective of this study was to develop soy concept foods with potential marketability in the food industry for health conscious consumers. Fourteen commercial soy protein isolate samples were obtained from various processors. The flavor profiles of the soy protein isolates were evaluated by five expert panelists. The three soy protein isolate samples with the most acceptable flavor profiles were utilized for further analysis and the development of soy concept foods including cranberry nut soy pudding, two bean soy dip and a soy based meal replacer. Based on consumer acceptability studies, it appears that two bean soy dip may have the most potential for success in the food industry. Although, no differences (P>0.05) existed in acceptability among soy protein products in any of the soy concept foods, ISP may have the most potential for utilization in the development of new products since numerical values were slightly higher when this soy protein was incorporated into the various concept foods.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Human Nutrition / Delores H. Chambers / A green tea descriptive sensory lexicon was developed by a highly trained panel, which identified, defined, and referenced 31 flavor attributes of green tea. The attributes were categorized as “green” (asparagus, beany, Brussels sprout, celery, parsley, spinach, green beans, and green herb-like), “brown” (ashy/sooty, brown spice, burnt/scorched, nutty, and tobacco), “fruity/floral” (fruity, floral/perfumy, citrus, and fermented), “mouthfeel” (astringent and tooth-etching), “basic tastes” (overall sweet and bitter), and other attributes (almond, animalic, grain, musty/new leather, mint, seaweed, and straw-like). Using the green tea lexicon, the flavor differences that exist among a wide range of green teas (n=138) produced in various countries were determined. Roast-processed teas were mostly responsible for brown-related flavors and steam-processed teas were mostly responsible for green-related flavors. Aroma analyses of green tea showed that the concentration of volatile compounds were much lower than stated in the literature. Brown, brown-related attributes, bitterness, and astringency became stronger and green and green-related attributes become weaker as the brewing time lengthened (1, 2, 5, and 20 min) and the water temperature increased (50, 70, 95°C). The flavor characteristics of roast-processed, steam processed, or roast-steam-processed Korean green teas differed only in their characterizing green flavors. The flavor and aroma of green teas change after sequential brewings. Green teas in leaf form can be brewed four times: the first two brews providing stronger flavor and aroma characteristics whereas the third and fourth brews will provide milder flavor and aroma characteristics. The flavor and aroma change in green teas that are stored over two years were observed at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after their original packaging dates. Green tea changes minimally during the first year of storage and only slightly more during the first two years of storage. Consumer studies and descriptive evaluations were conducted to understand what green tea flavor characteristics influence US consumers' liking. Twelve green tea samples were evaluated by three consumer groups from Korea, Thailand, and the United States. The current research suggests that familiarity plays a role in tea acceptance. However, various flavor profiles may be acceptable to consumers who are familiar with other flavors of green tea.

The effect of micronization (at 130 and 150 °C) as a potential heat treatment to reduce ‘beany’ aroma and flavor of cooked chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and green lentil (Lens culinaris) flours was investigated. A simultaneous distillation solvent extraction method was developed to extract key volatile compounds with potential contribution to ‘beany’ aroma and flavor notes in micronized pulse flours and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Concentrations of volatile compounds such as pentanol, hexanal, 2-hexenal, hexanol, heptanal, furan-2-pentyl, 2-octenal, nonanal, 2,4 decadienal, and 2,4- undecadienal were significantly (P<0.05) decreased with micronization. Low fat burgers fortified with 6% micronized chickpea and green lentil flours showed significantly higher acceptability for aroma, flavor, texture, color and overall acceptability (p<0.05) compared to non-micronized samples in a consumer acceptability test with 101 consumers. In addition, fatty acid analysis of burgers showed burgers containing micronized pulses had higher level of linoleic and linolenic acid content.

The effect of micronization (at 130 and 150 °C) as a potential heat treatment to reduce ‘beany’ aroma and flavor of cooked chickpea (Cicer arietinum) and green lentil (Lens culinaris) flours was investigated. A simultaneous distillation solvent extraction method was developed to extract key volatile compounds with potential contribution to ‘beany’ aroma and flavor notes in micronized pulse flours and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Concentrations of volatile compounds such as pentanol, hexanal, 2-hexenal, hexanol, heptanal, furan-2-pentyl, 2-octenal, nonanal, 2,4 decadienal, and 2,4- undecadienal were significantly (P<0.05) decreased with micronization. Low fat burgers fortified with 6% micronized chickpea and green lentil flours showed significantly higher acceptability for aroma, flavor, texture, color and overall acceptability (p<0.05) compared to non-micronized samples in a consumer acceptability test with 101 consumers. In addition, fatty acid analysis of burgers showed burgers containing micronized pulses had higher level of linoleic and linolenic acid content.

This thesis considers parental psychological well-being and the acceptability of parenting support for those who have an adolescent with type one diabetes (T1D). Within the literature it is acknowledged that T1D diagnosis and management can have an effect on all family members. Furthermore poor parental well-being can impact negatively on adolescent well-being. It is therefore important to understand parental well-being in the context of adolescent T1D. Paper one presents a literature review of the psychological status of parents of adolescents with T1D. The review highlighted that adolescent T1D diagnosis has the potential to impact on parental psychological well-being, with some parents experiencing clinically concerning symptoms of anxiety, depression or psychological distress at different time points during their adolescent’s chronic illness. Over recent years it has increasingly been recognised that psychosocial variables can impact on physical well-being and illness management. It is important that individuals who experience distress are offered appropriate support. With regard to families and parents, psychological support may be offered through parenting interventions. Paper two aimed to explore whether Teen Triple P Positive Parenting Programme resources were acceptable to parents of adolescents with T1D and whether they would be interested in undertaking a parenting intervention. It also explored whether adolescent behaviour difficulties, parental psychological distress or diabetes-related family conflict were related to parents’ acceptability ratings and intentions to participate. Diabetes factors, such as time since diagnosis and levels of blood glucose control were also considered. The results indicated that the Teen Triple P resources have the potential to be acceptable to parents and that they would be interested in participating in a parenting intervention if one was available to them. The critical reflection considers both the literature review and the scientific study. Within this paper the approaches used, the challenges encountered, and the implications for clinical practice, and future research, are considered.

Shrimp is the most valued shellfish product in the United States, and is highly perishable with post mortem metabolic changes that are deteriorative to its shelf-life. The objective of this research was to utilize GC-MS Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), Gas Chromatography Olfactometry (GCO), and sensory analysis to determine if the relationships exist between consumer acceptability, sensory descriptors and shelf-life of ready-to-eat shrimp. Three different cooking and packaging treatments were utilized: 63°C/15 s, 85°C/5 min, and 93°C/5 min for vacuum, MAP and aerobic packaging treatments, and stored at 2°±1 for 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 15, 25, and 50 days or until the product was found unacceptable by a trained sensory panel. For Consumer acceptability (Day 3), the 85°C vacuum and 85°C MAP (Modified Atmosphere Packaging) shrimp were preferred (P < 0.05) over other treatments that were evaluated. The aroma active compounds that were identified using GC-MS and GCO consisted of one amine (trimethylamine), five aldehydes (3-methyl butanal, pentanal, hexanal, heptenal, geranial), one organic acid (butyric acid), two sulfur containing compounds (methional, dimethyltrisulfide), one pyrazine (methyl pyrazine) (amine), two alcohols (2-nonen-1-ol, 4 ethyl guaiacol), and one hydrocarbon (camphene). Results showed that for most of the packaging-temperature combinations, even beyond Day 25, the MAP product had fewer compounds and odors associated with spoilage than the aerobic and vacuum packaged products. This was consistent with the descriptive analysis data for which both the 85°C MAP and 93°C MAP treatment products had a longer shelf-life than vacuum treatment products, which had shelf-lives of 15 to 21 Days. The shelf-life of the cooked RTE shrimp that was MAP packaged and cooked at either 85°C or 93°C was between 39 and 42 Days at 2°C. Research indicates that processors of medium gulf brown shrimp could utilize 85°C/5min with MAP due to the shelf-life of the product and the elevated pleasantness scores when compared to the 93°C/5min treatment throughout the shelf-life of the product.

The objective of this study was to establish the consumer acceptability of preblended and nonpreblended post rigor seasoned pork patties with added water levels of 0, 3, 6, and 9 percent for each formula. Other parameters measured were proximate analysis, texture, cooking loss, and consumer acceptability. Nonpreblended treatments had a higher (P<0.05) percentage of protein and a lower (P<0.05) percentage of fat as compared to preblended treatments. Texture analysis revealed a lower (P<0.05) amount of total energy required to shear through a single patty in preblended treatments than nonpreblended treatments. No differences (P>0.05) were detected among treatments at varying water levels. Consumer acceptability showed no differences (P>0.05) among selected treatments. Consumer acceptability scores indicated that consumers would consume both preblended and nonpreblended seasoned pork patties at varying water levels.

Low Atmospheric Pressure Stunning (LAPS) has recently become available to the broiler industry. Therefore, research was conducted to determine the effect of stunning method (LAPS and Electrical Stunning(ES)) and postmortem deboning time (0.75 hr and 4 hr) on the instrumental and sensory acceptability (3 replications) of breast meat (n=576, 144 birds per treatment) prepared using different cooking methods (fried, baked, sous vide). Breast meat was evaluated for pH, CIE L*a*b*, yields, shear force, and consumer acceptability. Postmortem pH decline was more rapid (P<0.05) in the breast meat of LAPS stunned birds when compared to ES stunned birds, but no differences existed (P>0.05) among treatments with respect to final pH. On average, no differences (P > 0.05) existed in the sensory acceptability of fried and sous vide cooked broiler breast treatments. However, for the baked cooking method, the LAPS treatment that was deboned at 4 hr was more acceptable (P<0.05) than other treatments and the ES and LAPS 4 hr postmortem treatments had more acceptable (P<0.05) texture than the ES and LAPS 0.75 hr treatments. Since consumers were highly variable in their liking of chicken breast treatments, consumers were grouped into 6 clusters for each cooking method based on liking and preference. Cluster analysis data revealed that the greatest number of consumers liked all chicken breast treatments, but a larger proportion of consumers liked the 4 hour LAPS and ES treatments when compared to the 0.75 hr LAPS and ES treatments for all cooking methods. In addition, the consumers that indicated that baked chicken breast was highly acceptable preferred (P<0.05) breast meat from the 4 hr LAPS treatment over chicken breast meat from the 4 hr ES treatment. Based on sensory results, chicken breast meat from all stunning and deboning method combinations was highly acceptable to the majority of consumers, but the LAPS 4 hr treatment was slightly more acceptable than other treatments when baked.