Foodborne pathogens (e.g., Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli O157:H7) and plant pathogens (e.g., Pseudomonas syringae, Fusarium graminearum) inflict substantial public health and economic burdens, contributing to 48 million illnesses, 3,000 deaths, and $21 billion in annual U.S. agricultural losses. This study investigates the efficacy of Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma (CAPP) technology for pathogen inactivation on agricultural products. Specifically, we harness CAPP-generated Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species (RONS) to oxidize and kill these pathogens. Pathogen-inoculated popcorn, sweetcorn, cucumber, onion, mung bean, and radish seeds served as models for real-world agricultural contamination. Our results demonstrate that a 15-minute CAPP treatment consistently achieves up to 99.9% pathogen inactivation. Importantly seed health was preserved, as evidenced by unaffected germination rates and seedling vigor. These findings underscore the potential of CAPP-generated RONS as a safe, effective, and chemical-free alternative for mitigating pathogen spread in agriculture, ultimately enhancing food safety and crop health.

Protein powders are widely used by athletes and health-conscious individuals to support muscle growth, recovery, and meet daily protein needs. These supplements are commonly derived from either whey, a byproduct of cheese production, or plant-based sources such as pea, soy, rice, and hemp. However, environmental contamination from industrial activities can introduce toxic heavy metals into ecosystems where these protein sources are cultivated. Plant roots readily absorb metals from soil and water, increasing the risk of accumulation in vegan protein powders. In contrast, animal-based products like whey may contain lower metal concentrations, as the liver and kidneys in cows filter and bioaccumulate metals away from milk. This study aimed to assess and compare the levels of four toxic heavy metals: arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), and lead (Pb) in vegan and whey-based protein powders. Samples were subjected to microwave-assisted acid digestion and analyzed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). A multi-point calibration curve ranging from 0.1 to 1000 ppb was used. Quality control included method blanks and routine instrument rinsing. None of the analyzed samples produced quantifiable signals for any of the selected metals within the calibration range. These findings suggest that the tested protein powders do not contain detectable levels of heavy metal contaminants under the conditions used in this study. While the results do not support the initial hypothesis, they indicate that both whey and vegan protein powders may be free from concerning levels of As, Cd, Cr, and Pb.

Poly-substituted benzene rings are a cornerstone of the pharmaceutical industry, as they enable a versatile framework for the design and synthesis of life altering drugs. Benzynes, benzene rings with a strained triple bond are an underutilized solution to the generation of poly-substituted benzene rings. This can be attributed to two issues: 1) the incompatibility of functional groups on the parent benzyne precursor with the required external activation conditions and 2) the transformation of the precursors requires tedious linear syntheses that often involve harsh conditions making them impractical for prospective use. One method that circumvents these problems is the use of 2-Fluro-6-iodobenzoic acid derived benzyne precursors. These precursors are synthesized in 1 step and can be functionalized in a single NAS reaction, which in turn enables benzyne precursors to have increased functional group compatibility and a shorter synthesis. The aim of this research is to develop the NAS of these benzyne precursors by optimizing various reaction conditions including the nucleophile, solvent, base, and reaction temperature. The findings of this research may contribute towards a more agreeable synthesis of benzyne precursors and the broader knowledge of benzyne chemistry.