Peter Muriana

Professor Peter Muriana is an academic faculty member at Oklahoma State University (OSU), serving as a Professor in the Department of Animal and Food Sciences and an Extension Specialist for Food Microbiology. His primary affiliation is with the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

Education:

• PhD in Food Science, North Carolina State University (1990)
• MS in Food Science, North Carolina State University (1986)
• MS from Long Island University (1979)

Research Interests:

Professor Muriana specializes in food microbiology, focusing on food safety interventions, pathogen inhibition (e.g., Salmonella, Listeria, E. coli), probiotics, and antimicrobial strategies. His work bridges academic research and industry application, including validation of food processing methods (e.g., biltong drying) and development of natural preservatives like bacteriocins.

Key Contributions:

• Developed methodologies for validating pathogen reduction in dried beef products (biltong).
• Advanced understanding of nitrite production via vegetable-derived sources.
• Studied biofilm formation and sanitizer efficacy in food processing environments.

Awards & Honors:

• Advance Foods-SE Gilliland Professorship in Microbial Food Safety (2013)
• Don M. Tyler Award for Research (2011)
• Honor Award for Outstanding Group for Farm-Focused Food Safety Team (2015)

Labs & Outreach:

Maintains a Food Microbiology Laboratory at OSU, focusing on microbial validation, probiotic research, and sanitation. Engages in extension activities, including HACCP workshops and food safety training for industry professionals.