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    2. Characterizing viewpoints of scholars in agricultural communications as they relate to research themes in the journal of applied communications: a q methodological study

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    Collection:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
    Contributers:
    Parrella, Jean A. (author), Spence, Jessica R. (author), Redwine, Tobin (author), and Leggette, Holli R. (author)
    Format:
    Journal article
    Publication Date:
    2021-10
    Published:
    United States: New Prairie Press
    Location:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: D12404
    Journal Title:
    Journal of Applied Communications
    Journal Title Details:
    Vol. 105, Iss. 3
    Notes:
    27 pages, Research in agricultural communications is not guided by a national research agenda. Therefore, the substantial body of research produced from scholars working in the discipline represents scattered efforts. We conducted a content analysis of journal articles published in the Journal of Applied Communications between 2000 and 2019 to identify the research themes that establish the discipline’s scholarly base. Through an examination of n = 259 journal articles, we identified N = 27 research themes, the most prevalent of which included agriculture and media relations/practices (f = 30; % = 11.58), public perceptions/understanding of agriculture and natural resources (f = 25; % = 9.65), and agricultural communications academic programs and curricula (f = 21; % = 8.11). Then, we used Q methodology to identify viewpoints of agricultural communications scholars (e.g., faculty, graduate students; n = 45) as they relate to perceptions about the importance of research. We identified four dominant viewpoints of scholars in agricultural communications: Message Framing Influencers, Extension-Focused Scholars and Practitioners, Discipline-Conscious Researchers, and Tech-Savvy Scholars. Together, these viewpoints explained 59.43% of the study variance. Although participants who represented each of these groups had unique perspectives, participants generally agreed that public perceptions/understanding of agriculture and natural resources and crisis communications in agricultural communications were important research themes. Likewise, they generally agreed that the role of agricultural communications professional organizations, agricultural communications efforts during historical events, and agritourism were not important research themes.

    3. Commercial kefir products assessed for label accuracy of microbial composition and density

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    Collection:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
    Contributers:
    Metras, B.N. (author), Holle, M.J. (author), Parker, V.J. (author), Miller, M.J. (author), and Swanson, K.S. (author)
    Format:
    Journal article
    Publication Date:
    2021-05-12
    Published:
    USA: Elsevier
    Location:
    Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 207 Document Number: D13037
    Notes:
    6 pages, Kefirs are fermented beverages containing yeast and bacteria produced by the fermentation of water or milk with kefir grains. Because microorganism density may influence a product's health benefits, label accuracy regarding viable bacterial density and taxonomy of fermented foods is important. In this study, the microbiota of 5 commercial kefir products were measured quantitatively using standard plating techniques and characterized using high-resolution, long-read 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. To enumerate viable lactic acid bacteria, 2 lots of each product were plated on de Man, Rogosa and Sharpe agar upon opening and following 14 d and incubated under anaerobic and aerobic conditions. Results revealed that 66% of products with a guaranteed count of colony-forming units per gram overstated microorganism density by at least 1 log, with only product E exceeding 1 × 109 cfu/g. Sequencing results demonstrated moderate product label accuracy in regard to taxonomy, yet several products contained bacterial species above the minimum detectable threshold (0.001% relative abundance) that were not included on the labels (e.g., Streptococcus salivarius, Lactobacillus paracasei). Our results demonstrate a moderate level of labeling accuracy for commercial kefir products intended for human consumption. Regulatory agencies and consumers must continue to scrutinize these products and demand a higher level of accuracy and quality.