USDA, ARS, BA, ANRI, EMFSL
10300 Baltimore Avenue
Building 201 BARC-East, Room 100B
Beltsville, MD 20705-2350 USA
Phone: 301.504.9198
Fax: 301.504.8438
www.ars.usda.gov/ba/anri/emfsl/sharma
Research Area: Research focuses on the survival, persistence and growth of the
bacterial foodborne pathogen Escherichia coli O157:H7 in leafy green pre-harvest
environments. E. coli O157:H7 has been associated with several high profile
outbreaks associated with lettuce, spinach and other leafy greens. This
work examines the ability of E. coli to internalize to spinach tissues
through root uptake. His research team also examines the ability of E.
coli O157:H7 to persist in pre-harvest environments (soil, water). The
expression of virulence factors of E. coli O157:H7 on leafy greens stored
under various conditions is also evaluated. Bacteriophages, viruses that
target and kill E. coli O157:H7, are also being examined as a potential
intervention against E. coli O157:H7 on leafy greens.
USDA-ARS Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory
Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville,
MD 20705
Building 173 BARC-East, Phone 301.504.5607
www.ars.usda.gov/ba/anri/emfsl