|Latest news | Subscribe|
ARS Research Leader Honored by AgencyBy Sharon Durham
February 13, 2002
BELTSVILLE, Md., Feb. 13, 2002Agricultural Research Service scientist Morse B. Solomon has been named an Area Senior Research Scientist of the Year by the research agency for the development of a method to simultaneously tenderize and enhance the safety of meat products.
Water-borne shock waves, brought on by detonating a small explosive charge immersed in water, are used to tenderize meat and reduce food borne pathogens. The process is called Hydrodynamic Pressure Process (HDP) and was initially used by Solomon to tenderize meats.
A treatment such as HDP, to eliminate food borne pathogens in meat products and reduce spoilage microorganisms to extend product shelf-life, are major obstacles the meat industries have been trying to overcome, said Edward B. Knipling, ARS acting administrator.
Solomon is internationally known for his research on using HDP to tenderize typically tough cuts of muscle meats and is recognized as an international authority for his research achievements in muscle histochemistry and biochemistry.
Solomon has established the conditions whereby HDP can simultaneously inactivate both food borne pathogens, such as E. coli O157:H7 in ground beef, and normal spoilage microorganisms found in meat products.
In 2001, Solomon was selected to receive the national American Society of Animal Science award for research excellence in meat science.
Currently, Solomon is leading a team of research scientists, physicists, and engineers to optimize the performance of HDP technology with the ultimate goal of developing and commercializing a non-explosive, non-pyrotechnic HDP technology. A primary objective is to develop this process into a one-size-fits-all system for meat products of various origins.
Solomon, the winner for the agencys Beltsville Area, is the research leader for the Food Technology and Safety Laboratory at the Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center.
A native of Waterbury, Conn., Solomon received a bachelors degree in chemistry and biology from the University of Connecticut, a masters in animal science from the University of Kentucky, and a Ph.D. degree in animal science from the University of Florida. He joined ARS as a research scientist in 1983.
Solomon has been a five-time recipient of a certificate of merit for outstanding performance.