Shiga-toxigenic E. coli persistence mechanisms and surface biofilm detection using near-infrared spectroscopy on beef processing facilities

Contamination of beef by Shiga toxigenic Escherichia coli (STEC) is a major problem affecting the North American Beef Industry. Environmental cross-contamination, among other contamination sources, has been shown to play an essential role in meat adulteration. Therefore, this proposal is aiming: a) to determine the capacity of the top-seven STEC to survive and transfer from […]

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Development of an Integrated sensor system for automated on-the-spot measurement of physical soil properties

This project focuses on the development of an integrated physical soil properties sensing system as an add-on option for a new electrically powered autonomous off-road platform (e.g., robotic electrical tractor). The system will allow further expansion of the electric tractor’s robot functionality when collecting soil samples and or mapping land resources. The sensor system incorporates […]

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The effect of cultivation conditions on duckweed nutritional profiles, with applications for aquaculture and aquatic ecology

Water lentils (duckweeds) are small aquatic plants that naturally found in ponds, lakes, and streams. Water lentils have been consumed by human populations for decades, and are a plant-based and sustainable source of proteins, potassium, iron, and fatty acids. Fifty years of ecological studies on the effects of abiotic factors on plant nutrients have shown […]

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Phenotypic characterization of Martha cultivar and development of molecular markers for selection

The partner organizations (1812 Hemp) is a traditional hemp breeding company, looking to create high-CBD cultivars for industrial use. The organization is currently growing 3 varieties and looking to develop additional varieties for production in North America. However, the conventional breeding method requires numerous generation of crossings to fix the desired trait in the population. […]

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Effect of Convective vs. Freeze Drying on the Hemp Bioactive Compounds

Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) and its fibres being durable are used in fabrics, sail making and papermaking. Its seed is a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3, 6) and its oil is used for cooking and for medicinal purposes. Cannabis contains cannabinoids, of which, ?9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) have been identified as […]

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Carbon Footprints of Agriculture Production in Atlantic Canada

The proposed research investigates an opportunity of monitor, measure, and model the role of carbon sequestration and emission of carbon dioxide from agricultural soils of Atlantic Canada. Precision agricultural practices will be designed to promote sustainable agriculture in Atlantic Canada.

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Design of a real-time on-site biosensor system to monitor harmful pathogens and protect canola production

Canada is one of the largest canola producing countries. The industry contributes about $20 billion revenue to the Canadian economy. Currently, canola farmers rely on the weather forecast (temperature, moisture, etc.) to decide whether to apply a fungicide. As the Internet-of-Things and sensor technologies get more advanced, farmers are deserved to have better technologies for […]

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Enhancing Hyperspectral Image Quality for Chicken Eggs Using Unmixing Approach

The current non-destructive and fast method of hyperspectral imaging technology for the chicken egg-related problems in agri-food processing suffers from the quality of acquired hyperspectral images. Therefore, the results of all existing attempts to deal with those egg-related problems (e.g., freshness, grading eggs, fertility detection and distinguishing abnormal eggs) can be improved since they are […]

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High Throughput Phenotyping of Spectrally-Optimized Plant Growth

Light is essential to plant growth and development. Despite being established in plant growth systems, current light systems on the market lack the ability to replicate key daily events such as dawn and dusk differences in light quality and intensity that occur naturally. Edmonton, Alberta based technology company G2V Optics Inc has commercialized a precision, […]

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Semisynthetic Strategies for the Production of Cannabinoids from Cannabis Sativa

Although recreational and medicinal marijuana is legal in Canada regulations limit the content of certain cannabinoids, such as ?9-tetrahydrocannabinol (?9THC) in commercially grown strands. With close collaboration with our industrial partner Plantbiois Ltd., this research project will develop methods to produce ?9THC by synthetic conversion from highly abundant cannabinoids in unregulated, low THC strains. We […]

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