Federal Grant Award Summary

Cornell University's Office of Sponsored Programs received a $649,767 project grant from the Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition (also known as the National Institute of Food and Agriculture) under the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), CFDA 10.310, awarded February 15, 2026, with completion targeted for February 14, 2030. The research deliverable focuses on developing antimicrobial elastomeric materials to prevent pathogenic contamination in food processing equipment. The project will synthesize a novel elastomer using epoxidized ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and antimicrobial quaternized polyethyleneimine crosslinkers, then test the material's chemical properties, durability, and effectiveness against Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes in both planktonic and biofilm forms.

This research addresses the significant food safety challenge of post-processing microbial contamination in ready-to-eat foods caused by pathogen persistence in elastomeric components of processing equipment, such as gaskets and O-rings, which remain difficult to clean through standard procedures. The multidisciplinary research team will integrate expertise in food microbiology, antimicrobial materials, food science, and polymer synthesis to create materials that maintain antimicrobial properties despite wear and degradation, ultimately reducing contamination risk in food processing plants and enhancing the safety of the U.S. food supply.