Goddard Research Group

	Research Interests The Goddard Research Group focuses on modifying the surfaces of common food contact materials, predominantly polymers, to improve the quality and safety of processed and packaged foods. We combine cutting edge techniques from the fields of biomedicine, material science, and nanobiotechnology to bring added value to low-cost food contact approved materials. On this page we describe three active projects. For more information, please review our publications or contact Prof. Julie Goddard. Our research is currently funded by the USDA, UMass CHM (funded by the NSF), and DMI, in addition to industry sponsorship.

Bioactive Food Packaging Materials

The traditional role of food packaging is to provide a barrier between the food and the environment, provide information to the consumer, and to enhance shelf stability. Bioactive packaging can enhance the quality and safety of packaged foods by further processing the product or preventing degradative processes after packaging. Such materials may permit small food manufacturers to produce niche or specialty food items, such as reduced lactose milk, without the need for additional costly capital equipment, and allow storage under harsh environmental conditions, for example in military applications. We are currently conducting research on developing bioactive food packaging materials that add value to the food products they contain. By changing the surface chemistry of common food contact polymers, such as polyethylene, we can immobilize biomolecules such as enzymes, peptides, and antimicrobials.

Self-Sanitizing Food Processing Surfaces

As food production becomes increasingly automated, the number of surfaces with which foods come into contact, and the potential for cross-contamination, increases. If the food contact surface were self-sanitizing, it could enhance current cleaning and sanitization protocols by providing sustained antimicrobial activity between cleaning regimens. The goal of this area of research is to design food processing surfaces that reduce the risk of cross-contamination of pathogenic organisms. We are investigating rechargeably antimicrobial moieties, as well as low-fouling surfaces. Materials of interest include stainless steel and elastomeric polymers, such as those used in the manufacture of filler nozzles and gaskets.

Changing the chemistry and bioactivity (e.g. enzyme or antimicrobial activity, non-fouling character) of the top several nanometers of a material has massive impact on how that material interacts with the biological environment. Attributes such as antimicrobial activity, enzymatic activity, non-fouling character, and biorecognition capabilities can be imparted onto inorganic and organic substrates without affecting bulk properties such as optical, mechanical, electrical, and thermal.

For more information, please contact Professor Julie Goddard