Theoretical & Predictive Microbiology
Likelihood of detecting contamination predicted by simulation
modeling of microbial sampling
Prof. Siebert has carried out research on a number of mainly theoretical applications of computers to problems in microbiology. These include the design of selective media to detect low levels of contamination of brewing culture yeast by undesired yeast species (wild yeast), and the application of computer simulation modeling to estimate the likelihood (and thus risk) of detecting various levels of microbial contamination with various sampling schemes (sample volumes examined and numbers of samples). Current interests in this area involve modeling of microbial growth inhibition by organic acids as a function of their molecular properties and the use of pattern recognition for classification and identification of microorganisms.
Program Activities and Outputs
K.J. Siebert and T.J. Wisk. 1984. Yeast counting by microscopy or by electronic particle counting. J. Amer. Soc. Brew. Chem. 42(2): 71-79. abstract
J. De Angelo and K.J. Siebert. 1987. A new medium for the detection of wild yeast in brewing culture yeast. J. Amer. Soc. Brew. Chem. 45(4): 135-140. abstract
C.P. Martin and K.J. Siebert. 1992. Evaluation of multi-nitrogen source media for wild yeast detection in brewing culture yeast. J. Amer. Soc. Brew. Chem. 50:134-138. abstract
K.J. Siebert. 1993. Computer simulation of microbiological sampling of liquid foods. J. Food Prot. 56(6):518-524. abstract
K.J. Siebert. Method for assessing the risk of bacterial contamination in fluid foodstuffs, beverages and pharmaceuticals, US patent no. 08/023,763; issued March 28, 1995; Cornell Research Foundation docket no. D-1331. abstract
C.-P. Hsiao and K.J. Siebert. 1999. Modeling the inhibitory effects of organic acids on bacteria. Intl. J. Food Micro. 47 (3): 189-201. abstract
I. Dalezios & K.J. Siebert. 2001. Comparison of three pattern recognition techniques for classification and identification of lactic acid bacteria. J. Appl. Micro. 91 (2): 225-236. abstract
S.A. Nakai and K.J. Siebert. 2003. Validation of bacterial growth inhibition models based on molecular properties of organic acids. Int. J. Food Micro. 86 (3): 249-255. abstract
S.A. Nakai and K.J. Siebert. 2004. Organic acid inhibition models for Listeria innocua, Listeria ivanovii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Oenococcus oeni. Food Microbiology 21 (1): 67-72. abstract