Dr. Floyd Woods

Appointment: Appointment: 90% Research / 10% Instruction
Years at Auburn: 15
Research: Effects of pathogen reduction and quality assessment methods on ripening and senescing fruit and vegetables (varietal and harvest maturity differences, color, texture, carbohydrate metabolism, and nutritional quality).  Particular emphasis is placed on the effects of (-irradiation (CO⁶⁰), acidified sodium chlorite (ASC), hot water, and calcium treatments on firmness, textural changes and its effects on enzymatic changes, i.e., polygalacturonase, pectin methylesterase, $-galactosidase, cellulase, peroxidase and ascorbate metabolism and antioxidants.  Also interested in physiological ripening disorders, which affect fruit quality, i.e., oxidative stress (ascorbic acid metabolism; antioxidants, and lipid peroxidation products).
Commodities: Tomatoes, strawberries, cantaloupes, cucumbers, peaches, bell pepper, lettuce, squash.

Courses currently taught::

•Current Concepts in Environmental Plant Stress (HORT 7080)
•Postharvest-Biology and Technology (HORT 4140 / 7140)
•Team teach Experimental Methods in Horticulture (HORT 7010)