Luis Cisneros-Zevallos
· ProfessorTexas A&M University · Horticultural Sciences
Active 1993–2026
About
Luis Cisneros-Zevallos is a professor in the Department of Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Engineering degree in Food Industries Engineering from the National Agrarian University – La Molina in Lima, Peru, in 1988. Following his undergraduate studies, he joined the Department of Food Engineering at UNALM as an instructor. He further advanced his education by obtaining a Master of Science in Food Science in 1995 and a Ph.D. in Food Science in 1998, both from the University of California, Davis. Since 1998, he has been a member of the faculty at Texas A&M University, contributing to research and education in his field.
Selected publications
Nutrients · 2026-04-21
articleOpen accessSenior authorCorrespondingJavier Villela-Castrejon was not included as an author in the original publication [...].
Journal of Food Protection · 2025-04-24 · 5 citations
articleOpen access• Nanoencapsulation enhanced the antimicrobial efficacy of curcumin and quercetin. • Curcumin and quercetin reduced pathogens by up to 6 log CFU/mL at 75 µg/mL. • Encapsulated curcumin and quercetin inhibited spore germination at ≥150 µg/mL. • Gum arabic films extended strawberry shelf-life by up to 15 days at 4 °C. • Encapsulated bioactives provide sustainable solutions for postharvest spoilage. Strawberries face significant postharvest microbial spoilage risks due to high water and sugar content as well as low organic acid contents in their flesh. The study aimed to develop and characterize a novel strategy to delay microbiological spoilage in strawberries using single and coencapsulation of curcumin (Cm) and quercetin (Q), creating stable nanoencapsulates specifically designed to target mold spores, vegetative fungi, and bacteria, with potential applications for both foodservice and consumer use. Using a layer-by-layer antisolvent method, nanoencapsulates of Cm and Q were synthesized, characterized, and assayed against both human and plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi in vitro and in situ. The nanoencapsulates formed stable, spherical emulsion droplets with monodisperse size distribution, high specific surface area, and moderately electro-positive ζ-potentials. Encapsulation efficiencies were 56% (Cm), 65% (Q), and 46.05 ± 4.78% (Cm) and 53.68 ± 4.83% (Q) for CmQ. The nanoencapsulated compounds exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Listeria monocytogenes , Salmonella Montevideo, Saccharomyces cerevisiae , as well as Botrytis cinerea and Aspergillus niger spores in vitro . In strawberries, Cm and Q nanoencapsulates reduced decay incidence by 60% and 80% at 25 °C and 4 °C, respectively, significantly lowering aerobic bacteria by 3.55 ± 0.20 log CFU/g for Cm and 1.97 ± 0.35 log CFU/g for Q, respectively. Yeast and mold counts were likewise reduced by 2.46 ± 0.02 log CFU/g for Cm and 1.43 ± 0.16 log CFU/g for Q. Strawberry quality parameters (firmness, pH, and color) remained stable ( P ≥ 0.05) after five days at 25 °C and 15 days at 4 °C. This study highlights a sustainable and effective nanoencapsulation approach for extending the microbiological shelf life of strawberries offering a promising opportunity in food preservation to mitigate spoilage and reduce postharvest losses on perishable fruits and vegetables.
Nutrients · 2025-05-12 · 6 citations
articleOpen accessSenior authorCorrespondingBackground: Aronia berry (Aronia melanocarpa) are native to North America, rich in polyphenols and antioxidants with the potential to promote human health through its anti-inflammatory properties. Methods: Through the chemical characterization of phenolic compounds from aronia berries, 11 distinct polyphenols were identified. We investigated the anti-inflammatory activity of a methanolic/acetone/water extract from freeze-dried aronia berries in LPS-stimulated colonic and macrophage cell models. Results: In colon cells, aronia polyphenols suppressed pro-inflammatory gene expression (NFkβ, TNFα, IL-6, COX2) by reducing ROS generation while enhancing LXRα expression. In macrophages, these compounds decreased NO production through ROS attenuation. Notably, aronia extracts exhibited no cytotoxicity in either cell type across concentrations from 100 to 1000 μg/mL. The whole-berry methanolic extract contained substantial levels of phenolic compounds (including 3-O- and 5-O-caffeoylquinic acids, quercetin derivatives, and cyanidin derivatives) with high ORAC values, likely contributing to their observed multifaceted anti-inflammatory effects. Conclusions: These findings suggest that freeze-dried aronia berry (AroBerry®) may offer protection against low-grade inflammation, providing a foundation for future in vivo studies using murine models of inflammation-associated chronic diseases to establish appropriate dosage regimens.
ACS Omega · 2025-08-14
articleOpen accessRecently, increasing frequency and severity of drought events have resulted in significant crop yield reductions worldwide, indicating the critical need for innovative agricultural water management strategies to enhance water use efficiency. Addressing this challenge, we present a novel approach involving the strategic placement of highly hydrophobic sand layers below the subrhizosphere. This method utilizes silica sand modified via a facile, single-step surface treatment, yielding a material with strong hydrophobicity, characterized by a static water contact angle of 133.0 ± 1.0°. Importantly, the modified sand demonstrated stability and retained its hydrophobic properties under simulated adverse agricultural conditions. Systematic investigations of the hydraulic properties revealed that the incorporation of these hydrophobic sand layers substantially controlled the vertical infiltration flux of irrigation water. Specifically, a hydrophobic sand layer with an areal density of 796.5 mg/cm2 extended the water infiltration time by a factor of approximately 5.5 relative to control soil columns, even following 14 days of sustained irrigation. This engineered impedance promotes saturation within the rhizosphere, thereby potentially enhancing the efficiency of root water uptake. Furthermore, experimental observations indicated a positive correlation between the presence of the hydrophobized subsoil layer and the retention of organic matter within the overlying soil matrix, suggesting ancillary benefits for long-term soil fertility maintenance. Consequently, deploying subrhizosphere hydrophobization using organosilanes as a preplanting soil conditioning treatment presents a potentially more applicable strategy for improving water conservation and soil health, particularly in water-scarce agricultural regions.
ACS Omega · 2025-08-19 · 3 citations
articleOpen accessSenior authorCorrespondingThe limited water solubility and environmental instability of natural pesticidal compounds impede their broader agricultural use.This study reports an amphiphile-assisted nanoprecipitation method to imbibe azadirachtin-rich neem seed extract (NSE) within a glycine carrier matrix, yielding a stable nanocomposite biopesticide.The formulation, prepared using polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate as a stabilizer and glycine as the matrix former, followed by lyophilization, exhibited a hydrodynamic diameter of 8 nm when redispersed in water.This glycine nanopesticide (GNP) significantly improved the photostability of azadirachtin under UV-AB irradiation (2000 W/cm 2 ); spectrophotometric analysis revealed a 27.7% reduction in photodegradation over a 4 day period compared to unformulated NSE powder demonstrated dialysis-based in vitro release assay showed sustained release, with 68.2 2.1% released over 7 days, fitting an exponential model with a time constant of 37.6 h.Contact bioassays against Spodoptera frugiperda larvae revealed enhanced larvicidal potency.LC 50 values showed a 1.5-to 6.6-fold improvement compared to unformulated NSE over 11 days.On day 7, GNP had an LC 50 of 0.13 mg/mL, compared to 0.86 mg/mL for NSE powder.The nanoformulation also improved wettability on tomato leaves, reducing the contact angle from 99.0 1.6(DI water) to 60at a concentration of 100 mg/mL GNP.This approach offers a practical method for improving the stability, delivery, and efficacy of hydrophobic biopesticides.
Preprints.org · 2024-11-15 · 1 citations
preprintOpen accessThis study investigated the survival and growth of Salmonella in onion extracts and bulbs. Extracts of an array of onion varieties and germplasms were used to evaluate their ability to retard or inhibit Salmonella growth and the antimicrobial activity of extracts prepared from onions that were subjected to different types of light during curing. Separately, the survival of internalized and non-internalized Salmonella enterica ser. Newport was tested in red, white, and yellow onions by inoculating onion bulbs on the external and internal onion layers and by internalizing Salmonella using a syringe and needle to inject the inoculum inside the bulb. The inoculated onions were stored at room temperature and collecting samples at intervals during storage. Results showed that the varied lighting used for postharvest stimulation resulted in extracts with different antimicrobial effects (P < 0.05). Extracts from red and white onions treated with blue light inhibited Salmonella growth. Extracts from onions treated with white light revealed slow and fast growth of Salmonella in red and yellow, respectively. Of the extracts from the various germplasms, only one corresponding to red onion, inhibited Salmonella growth, whereas the rest showed varying levels of growth retardation (P < 0.05). In survival studies, Salmonella inoculated on the outer layer was reduced by 1.2, > 2.7, and > 2.4 log cycles on red, white, and yellow onions, respectively within 3 days of storage. In the inner layers, Salmonella grew by 2.4, 2.6, and 2.8 log cycles of red, white, and yellow onions re-spectively, over 18-d storage. In separate trials, the outer layer again did not support the survival of Salmonella Newport. While the inner scales on red onion did not allow growth of Salmonella Newport, those of white and yellow onions allowed growth during the first 3 days of storage, followed by reduction to nondetectable levels. Although the antimicrobial effect of onions is attributed mainly to the polyphenols, factors such as tissue integrity or water content in internal tissues may hinder the deleterious effects of poly-phenols against Salmonella.
Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research · 2024-03-27 · 16 citations
articleOpen accessTyphimurium cells that were able to adsorb onto PVC surfaces over a 24 h period. The use of this fluorine-free superhydrophobic coating on PVC equipment, such as conveyor belts within food production facilities, may help to mitigate bacterial cross-contamination and curb the spread of foodborne illnesses.
Nutrients · 2024-06-14 · 10 citations
articleOpen accessSenior authorCorrespondingThe brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a crucial role during neuronal development as well as during differentiation and synaptogenesis. They are important proteins present in the brain that support neuronal health and protect the neurons from detrimental signals. The results from the present study suggest BDNF expression can be increase up to ~8-fold by treating the neuroblastoma cells SHSY-5Y with an herbal extract of Oroxylum indicum (50 μg/mL) and ~5.5-fold under lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced inflammation conditions. The Oroxylum indicum extract (Sabroxy) was standardized to 10% oroxylin A, 6% chrysin, and 15% baicalein. In addition, Sabroxy has shown to possess antioxidant activity that could decrease the damage caused by the exacerbation of radicals during neurodegeneration. A mode of action of over expression of BDNF with and without inflammation is proposed for the Oroxylum indicum extract, where the three major hydroxyflavones exert their effects through additive or synergistic effects via five possible targets including GABA, Adenoside A2A and estrogen receptor bindings, anti-inflammatory effects, and reduced mitochondrial ROS production.
Integrated Pest Management: An Update on the Sustainability Approach to Crop Protection
ACS Omega · 2024-09-28 · 204 citations
reviewOpen accessCorrespondingIntegrated Pest Management (IPM) emerged as a pest control framework promoting sustainable intensification of agriculture, by adopting a combined strategy to reduce reliance on chemical pesticides while improving crop productivity and ecosystem health. This critical review synthesizes the most recent advances in IPM research and practice, mostly focusing on studies published within the past five years. The Review discusses the key components of IPM, including cultural practices, biological control, genetic pest control, and targeted pesticide application, with a particular emphasis on the significant advancements made in biological control and targeted pesticide delivery systems. Recent findings highlight the growing importance of genetic control and conservation biological control, which involves the management of agricultural landscapes to promote natural enemy populations. Furthermore, the recent discovery of novel biopesticides, including microbial agents and plant-derived compounds, has expanded the arsenal of tools available for eco-friendly pest management. Substantial progress has recently also been made in the development of targeted pesticide delivery systems, such as nanoemulsions and controlled-release formulations, which can minimize the environmental impact of pesticides while maintaining their efficacy. The Review also analyzes the environmental, economic, and social dimensions of IPM adoption, showcasing its potential to promote biodiversity conservation and ensure food safety. Case studies from various agroecological contexts demonstrate the successful implementation of IPM programs, highlighting the importance of participatory approaches and effective knowledge exchange among stakeholders. The Review also identifies the main challenges and opportunities for the widespread adoption of IPM, including the need for transdisciplinary research, capacity building, and policy support. In conclusion, this critical review discusses the essential role of IPM components in achieving the sustainable intensification of agriculture, as it seeks to optimize crop production while minimizing adverse environmental impacts and enhancing the resilience of agricultural systems to global challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss.
Current Research in Food Science · 2024-01-01 · 31 citations
articleOpen accessPost-harvest losses of fruits due to decay and concerns regarding microbial food safety are significant within the produce processing industry. Additionally, maintaining the quality of exported commodities to distant countries continues to pose a challenge. To address these issues, the application of bioactive compounds, such as essential oils, has gained recognition as a means to extend shelf life by acting as antimicrobials. Herein, we have undertaken an innovative approach by nano-encapsulating cinnamon-bark essential oil using whey protein concentrate and imbibing nano-encapsulates into food-grade wax commonly applied on produce surfaces. We have comprehensively examined the physical, chemical, and antimicrobial properties of this hybrid wax to evaluate its efficacy in combatting the various foodborne pathogens that frequently trouble producers and handlers in the post-harvest processing industry. The coatings as applied demonstrated a static contact angle of 85 ± 1.6°, and advancing and receding contact angles of 90 ± 1.1° and 53.0 ± 1.6°, respectively, resembling the wetting properties of natural waxes on apples. Nanoencapsulation significantly delayed the release of essential oil, increasing the half-life by 61 h compared to its unencapsulated counterparts. This delay correlated with statistically significant reductions (p = 0.05) in bacterial populations providing both immediate and delayed (up to 72 h) antibacterial effects as well as expanded fungal growth inhibition zones compared to existing wax technologies, demonstrating promising applicability for high-quality fruit storage and export. The utilization of this advanced produce wax coating technology offers considerable potential for bolstering food safety and providing enhanced protection against bacteria and fungi for produce commodities.
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