US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Agricultural Research Service
South Atlantic Area
The multi-task mission of this Unit includes enhancement of flavor and shelf-life of domestic and export peanuts and peanut products by developing improved methods in production, handling, and roast processing; qualitative and quantitative determination of peanut components which contribute to nutrition and health of consumers; evaluation and use of genetic resources to improve market quality factors; and provide a safer food supply to consumers by developing accurate methods to detect and remove mycotoxin contaminated commodities from the food and feed systems and reduce the economic risk to farmers, handlers, and manufacturers. The Unit conducts research on high priority issues to assist the peanut and grain industries in producing the highest quality products possible.
Scientists:
Timothy H. Sanders, Research Leader
(919) 515-6312
Email: tim_sanders@ncsu.edu
Research: Evaluation of production, processing, and composition factors affecting peanut flavor
and shelf-life and develop
knowledge and methods for improvement in these areas.
Thomas B. Whitaker, Agricultural Engineer
(919) 515-6731
Email: thomas_whitaker@ncsu.edu
Research: Develop methods to design and evaluate mycotoxin sampling plans and grading
methods and equipment to assure a
safe food and feed supply in domestic and international markets.
Harold E. Pattee, Research Chemist
(919) 515-6745
Email: harold_pattee@ncsu.edu
Research: Evaluate genetic and composition factor interactions related to peanut flavor
inheritance, which can be used to
develop improved flavorful cultivars in various growing regions.
John A. Singleton, Research Chemist
(919) 515-6746
Email: john_singleton@ncsu.edu
Research: Determine the contribution of various peanut components such as carbohydrates
and amino acids to peanut flavor
development and investigate oxidation processes occurring in peanuts.
Support Personnel:
Andrew B. Slate, Agricultural Engineer Technician
(919) 515-6738
Email: andrew_slate@ncsu.edu
Duties: Engineering support for the program of T. B. Whitaker and computer support for the
Unit.
Keith W. Hendrix, Biological Science Lab Technician
(919) 515-6312
Email: keith_hendrix@ncsu.edu
Duties: Chemical/biochemical, processing and analytical support for the program of T. H.
Sanders.
Cooperative research funded through Specific Cooperative Agreement
Support Personnel:
Vacant, Research Technician
Dept. Food Science, NCSU
Research: Elucidate and utilize peanut protein/peptide fractions for Maillard reaction model
systems generation of peanut
flavor compounds, and evaluate seed roast color relationships in variable conditions.
Clerical:
Elaine P. Lowell, Program Assistant
Dept. Food Science, NCSU
(919) 515-6312
Email: elaine_lowell@ncsu.edu
Duties: Cooperative clerical and administrative support for Unit.
Scientists in the Unit actively pursue alignment and interaction of ARS program objectives and peanut industry needs and priorities through active participation in national and international committee activities. Active interaction is provided to industry associations, individual grower organizations in North Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, and Texas, sheller organizations in Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas, and numerous processing and manufacturing companies ranging in size from local shellers to major food companies. Scientists in the unit are also interactive with the Agricultural Marketing Service, Customs Service, USDA Peanut Grading Working Group, FDA, FAO, World Health Organization, CODEX Alimentarius, Peanut Administrative Committee, Federal State Inspection Services, Foreign Agricultural Service, and Federal Grain Inspection Service.
