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.

		Bacteriophages as Novel Antimicrobials for Food Safety Featured in the July 2008 issue of Agricultural Research Magazine. View the article in html or pdf  format.

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