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Alison Lacombe
Produce Safety and Microbiology Research
Research Microbiologist

Phone: (510) 559-6422
Fax: (510) 559-6162

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Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon Reprint Icon will take you to the publication reprint.)
The inactivation of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Listeria monocytogenes using isochoric freezing in raw milk and carrot juice Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lacombe, A.C., Harvey, B.L., Van Blair, J.B., Chapman, N., Bilbao-Sainz, C., McHugh, T.H., Rubinsky, B., Wu, V.C. 2024. The inactivation of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and Listeria monocytogenes using isochoric freezing in raw milk and carrot juice. Food Control. 618. Article 110957. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2024.110957.
Chlorine dioxide is a broad-spectrum disinfectant against Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes in agricultural water Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Van Blair, J.B., Lacombe, A.C., Harvey, B.L., Wu, V.C. 2024. Chlorine dioxide is a broad-spectrum disinfectant against Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes in agricultural water. Frontiers in Microbiology. 15. Article 1469615. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1469615.
The stress response of Listeria monocytogenes inoculated on fresh apples exposed to gaseous chlorine dioxide Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Guan, J., Lacombe, A.C., Rane, B., Van Blair, J.B., Zhang, Y., Tang, J., Sablani, S., Wu, V.C. 2024. The stress response of Listeria monocytogenes inoculated on fresh apples exposed to gaseous chlorine dioxide. Journal of Food Safety. 44(3) Article. e13126. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfs.13126.
The effects of sanitizing hurdles against foodborne pathogens during blueberry processing Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lacombe, A.C., Wu, V.C. 2023. The effects of sanitizing hurdles against foodborne pathogens during blueberry processing. Food Control. 154. Article 109981. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2023.109981.
Efficacy of gaseous chlorine dioxide (ClO2) treatment on quality parameters and against Listeria innocua growth on apple surfaces under controlled atmosphere (CA) storage condition and post-treatment quality analysis - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Outcomes of stakeholder meeting discussing outreach efforts of waterless, non-thermal food processing technology USDA coordinated agriculture project / speaker's corner - (Abstract Only)
Reduction of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin AFB1 on almond kernels using gaseous chlorine dioxide fumigation - (Abstract Only)
Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli outbreaks in California’s leafy greens production continuum Reprint Icon - (Review Article)
Lacombe, A.C., Quintela, I.A., Liao, Y., Wu, V.C. 2022. Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli outbreaks in California’s leafy greens production continuum. Frontiers In Food Science And Technology. 2. Article 1068690. https://doi.org/10.3389/frfst.2022.1068690.
Reduction of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin AFB1 on almond kernels using gaseous chlorine dioxide fumigation - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Fundamental differences in inactivation mechanisms of Escherichia coli O157:H7 between chlorine dioxide and sodium hypochlorite Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bridges, D.F., Lacombe, A.C., Wu, V.C. 2022. Fundamental differences in inactivation mechanisms of Escherichia coli O157:H7 between chlorine dioxide and sodium hypochlorite. Frontiers in Microbiology. 13. Article 923964. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.923964.
A review: Gaseous interventions for Listeria monocytogenes control in fresh apple cold storage Reprint Icon - (Review Article)
Guan, J., Lacombe, A.C., Rane, B., Tang, J., Sablani, S., Wu, V.C. 2021. A review: Gaseous interventions for Listeria monocytogenes control in fresh apple cold storage. Frontiers in Microbiology. 12. Article 782934. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.782934.
Gaseous chlorine dioxide inactivation of microbial contamination on whole black peppercorns Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rane, B., Lacombe, A.C., Guan, J., Bridges, D.F., Sablani, S., Tang, J., Wu, V.C. 2021. Gaseous chlorine dioxide inactivation of microbial contamination on whole black peppercorns. Journal of Food Safety. Article e12948. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfs.12948.
Use of mathematic models to describe the microbial inactivation on baby carrots by gaseous chlorine dioxide Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Guan, J., Lacombe, A.C., Tang, J., Bridges, D.F., Sablani, S., Rane, B., Wu, V.C. 2021. Use of mathematic models to describe the microbial inactivation on baby carrots by gaseous chlorine dioxide. Food Control. 123. Article 107832. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107832.
Food safety lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic Reprint Icon - (Review Article)
Lacombe, A.C., Quintela, I.A., Liao, Y., Wu, V.C. 2020. Food safety lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Food Safety. 41:2. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfs.12878.
Effects of moisture content and mild heat on the ability of gaseous chlorine dioxide against salmonella and enterococcus faecium NRRL B-2354 on almonds Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Rane, B., Lacombe, A.C., Sablani, S., Bridges, D.F., Tang, J., Guan, J., Wu, V.C. 2021. Effects of moisture content and mild heat on the ability of gaseous chlorine dioxide against salmonella and enterococcus faecium NRRL B-2354 on almonds. Food Control. 123. Article 107732. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2020.107732.
Alterations in heart rate variability associated with IBS or IBD: a systematic review and meta-analysis Reprint Icon - (Review Article)
Sadowski, A., Dunlap, C., Lacombe, A.C., Hanes, D. 2020. Alterations in heart rate variability associated with IBS or IBD: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology. 12:e00275. https://doi.org/10.14309/ctg.0000000000000275.
Integrity of the Escherichia coli O157:H7 cell wall and membranes after chlorine dioxide treatment Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bridges, David F., Alison Lacombe, and Vivian C. H. Wu. (2020). "Integrity of the Escherichia coli O157:H7 Cell Wall and Membranes after Chlorine Dioxide Treatment". Frontiers in Microbiology 11:888. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00888
Strain specific response of Escherichia coli biofilms to chlorine dioxide - (Abstract Only)
Modeling the efficacy of gaseous chlorine dioxide against Listeria on apple surfaces - (Abstract Only)
Guan, J., Lacombe, A.C., Tang, J., Bridges, D.F., Rane, B., Sablani, S., Wu, V.C. 2020. Modeling the efficacy of gaseous chlorine dioxide against Listeria on apple surfaces [abstract]. Meeting Abstract.
Scale-up model of forced air integrated gaseous chlorine dioxide for the decontamination of lowbush blueberries Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lacombe, A.C., Antosch, J.G., Wu, V.C.H. 2020. Scale-up model of forced air integrated gaseous chlorine dioxide for the decontamination of lowbush blueberries. Journal of Food Safety: e12.
Identifying nonpathogenic Salmonella surrogates for industrial scale treatment of almonds using gaseous chlorine dioxide - (Abstract Only)
Implementation of Fluorescent Assays to Measure Membrane Damage to Escherichia coli O157:H7 after Exposure to Chlorine Dioxide - (Abstract Only)
Identification of Nonpathogenic Surrogate Bacteria Applicable for Industrial-Scale Gaseous Chlorine Dioxide Treatment on Baby Carrots - (Abstract Only)
Nonthermal inactivation of norovirus surrogates on blueberries using atmospheric cold plasma - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lacombe, A.C., Niemira, B.A., Gurtler, J., Sites, J.E., Boyd, G., Kingsley, D.H., Li, X., Chen, H. 2017. Nonthermal inactivation of norovirus surrogates on blueberries using atmospheric cold plasma. Food Microbiology. 63:1-5.
Inactivation of Toxoplasma gondii on blueberries using low dose irradiation without affecting quality Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lacombe, A.C., Breard, A., Hwang, C., Hill, D.E., Fan, X., Huang, L., Yoo, B.K., Niemira, B.A., Gurtler, J., Wu, V.C. 2016. Inactivation of Toxoplasma gondii on blueberries using low dose irradiation without affecting quality. Journal of Food Protection. 73:981-985. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2016.10.011
Inactivation of Toxoplasma gondii on blueberries using low dose irradiation without affecting quality - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lacombe, A.C., Beard, A., Hwang, C., Hill, D., Fan, X., Huang, L., Yoo, B.K., Niemira, B.A., Gurtler, J., Wu, V.C. 2016. Inactivation of Toxoplasma gondii on blueberries using low dose irradiation without affecting quality. Food Control. 73(2017):981-985.
Inhibition of enteric pathogens and surrogates using integrated, high intensity 405nm led light on the surface of almonds - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Atmospheric cold plasma iactivation of norovirus surrogates and native microbiota on blueberries - (Abstract Only)
Niemira, B.A., Lacombe, A.C., Gurtler, J., Sites, J.E., Boyd, G., Li, X., Chen, H., Fan, X., Kingsley, D.H. 2015. Atmospheric cold plasma iactivation of norovirus surrogates and native microbiota on blueberries. Meeting Abstract. USDA NIFA Project Director Invitational Meeting. IAFP Annual Meeting. Portland, Oregon. July 24, 2014. Volume 1, Page 1.
Enhancing the safety and quality of fresh produce and low-moisture foods by waterless non-thermal technologies: Cold plasma and monochromatic light - (Abstract Only)
Niemira, B.A., Lacombe, A.C., Gurtler, J., Kingsley, D.H., Sites, J.E. 2015. Enhancing the safety and quality of fresh produce and low-moisture foods by waterless non-thermal technologies: Cold plasma and monochromatic light. Meeting Abstract. USDA NIFA Project Director Invitational Meeting. IAFP Annual Meeting. Portland, Oregon. July 24, 2015.Volume 1, Page 1.
Cold plasma as a nonthermal food processing technology - (Abstract Only)
Inhibition of enteric pathogens using integrated high intensity 405 nm LED on the surface of almonds - (Abstract Only)
Lacombe, A.C., Niemira, B.A., Boyd, G., Sites, J.E., Gurtler, J., Tyrell, B.K., Fleck, M.A. 2015. Inhibition of enteric pathogens using integrated high intensity 405 nm LED on the surface of almonds. Meeting Abstract. IFT Annual Meeting. Chicago, Illinois. July 11-14, 2015.Volume 1, Page 1.
Inactivation of Toxoplasma gondii on blueberries using low dose irradiation without affecting quality - (Abstract Only)
Lacombe, A.C., Breard, A., Hwang, C., Fan, X., Huang, L., Yoo, B.K., Niemira, B.A., Gurtler, J., Wu, V. 2015. Inactivation of Toxoplasma gondii on blueberries using low dose irradiation without affecting quality. Meeting Abstract. IAFP Annual Meeting. Portland, Oregon. July 25-28, 2015. Volume 1, Page 1.
Proceedings of the 10th international symposium on polymer surface modification - (Abstract Only)
Disinfection of the human norovirus surrogate, Tulane Virus with Cold Plasma - (Abstract Only)
Lacombe, A.C., Niemira, B.A., Gurtler, J. 2014. Disinfection of the human norovirus surrogate, Tulane Virus with Cold Plasma. Meeting Abstract. Food Science Department. Drexel University. October 30, 2014. Volume 1, Page 1.
Atmospheric cold plasma inactivation of Aerobic Microorganisms on blueberries and effects on quality attributes - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Lacombe, A.C., Niemira, B.A., Gurtler, J., Fan, X., Sites, J.E., Boyd, G., Chen, H. 2015. Atmospheric cold plasma inactivation of Aerobic Microorganisms on blueberries and effects on quality attributes. Food Microbiology. 46:479-484.
Surfactant enhanced disinfection of the human norovirus surrogate, tulane virus with organic acids and surfactant - (Abstract Only)
Lacombe, A.C., Niemira, B.A., Gurtler, J. 2014. Surfactant enhanced disinfection of the human norovirus surrogate, tulane virus with organic acids and surfactant. Meeting Abstract. Volume 1, Page 1., IAFP Annual Meeting., Indianapolis, Indiana., August 3-6, 2014
Effects of nonthermal atmospheric cold plasma on blueberry native microbiota and sensory attributes - (Abstract Only)
Lacombe, A.C., Niemira, B.A., Gurtler, J., Boyd, G., Sites, J.E., Fan, X., Chen, H. 2014. Effects of nonthermal atmospheric cold plasma on blueberry native microbiota and sensory attributes. Meeting Abstract. , IFT Annual meeting., New Orleans, LA., June 21-24,2014., Volume 1, Page 1.
Nonthermal inactivation of the norovirus surrogate tulane virus on blueberries using atmospheric cold plasma - (Abstract Only)
Lacombe, A.C., Niemira, B.A., Gurtler, J., Boyd, G., Sites, J.E., Chen, H., Li, X. 2014. Nonthermal inactivation of the norovirus surrogate tulane virus on blueberries using atmospheric cold plasma. Meeting Abstract., IFT Annual Meeting., New Orleans, LA., June 21-24, 2014., Volume 1, Page 1.