Dr. Prashant Singh

Associate Professor
Dr. Prashant Singh
416 Sandels Building
psingh2@fsu.edu
Nutrition & Food Science
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Interests

Dr. Singh is a food safety microbiologist by training, and his core area of research focus is the development of rapid methods for the detection of foodborne pathogens. His laboratory focuses explicitly on developing methods for the specific detection of virulent strains of Shiga toxin-producing non-O157 Escherichia coli and Salmonella. His second area of research interest is the development of rapid methods for seafood species identification.

Education

  • Ph.D., University of Missouri
  • Graduate Certificate, Food Safety & Defense, University of Missouri
  • M.S., Vellore Institute of Technology
  • B.S., Delhi University

Publications and Other Scholarly Activities

Kandula, N., Kwawukume, S., Williams, D., & Singh, P. (submitted). rhPCR-Lateral Flow Assay for the Onsite Detection of Pacific White Shrimp. Food Chemistry. Manuscript submitted for publication, 7 pages.

Saetang, J., Sukkapat, P., Palamae, S., Singh, P., Yingkajorn, M., Senathipathi, D. N., Buatong, J., & Benjakul, S. (2025). Development of colorimetric multiplex loop mediated isothermal amplification combined with lateral flow dipstick (mLAMP-LFD) assay for the identification of TDH toxin-producing Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, 137, Part A, 106924. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S088915752400958X doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2024.106924

Cheng, J., Kandula, N., Cortes, V. E., Choi, H., Singh, P., & Cui, L. (2024). Pea protein isolate-based active films for salmon preservation: The role of different essential oils in film properties, antioxidant, and antibacterial activities. Current Research in Food Science, 100936. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665927124002636

Saetang, J., Sukkapat, P., Palamae, S., Singh, P., Yingkajorn, M., Senathipathi, D. N., Buatong, J., & Benjakul, S. (2025). Development of colorimetric multiplex loop mediated isothermal amplification combined with lateral flow dipstick (mLAMP-LFD) assay for the identification of TDH toxin-producing Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. 137, 106924. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S088915752400958X?dgcid=coauthor

Lin, J., Yang, J., Cui, L., Nagpal, R., Singh, P., Salazar, G., Rao, Q., Peng, Y., & Sun, Q. (2024). Sturgeon-derived peptide LLLE alleviated colitis via regulating gut microbiota and its metabolites. Current Research in Food Science, 1-10. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665927124002247

Velez, F., Bosilevac, J. M., Salazar, G., Kapoor, H. K., Mishra, A., Madoroba, E., Stanford, K., Fach, P., Delannoy, S., Stephan, R., & Singh, P. (2024). Hydrolysis probe assays for the detection of pathogenic Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli: Multi-Country validation study. Food Research International, 49. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S096399692401175X

Kandula, N., Velez, F. J., Jackson, C. R., Bosilevac, J. M., & Singh, P. (2024). Varying Amplification Efficiency Real-time PCR Assay for the Specific Detection and Estimation of Salmonella Contamination Levels in Poultry Rinse. Food Bioscience, 61, 104777. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212429224012070

Velez, F. J., Nethraja, K., Blech-Hermoni, Y., Jackson, C., Bosilevac, J. M., & Singh, P. (2024). Digital PCR Assay for the Specific Detection and Estimation of Salmonella Contamination Levels in Poultry Rinse. Current Research in Food Science. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665927124001333

Cheng, J., Velez, F. J., Singh, P., & Cui, L. (2024). Fabrication, characterization, and application of pea protein-based edible film enhanced by oregano essential oil (OEO) micro- or nano-emulsion. Current Research in Food Science, 8, 100705. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665927124000315?via%3Dihub

Kwawukume, S., Velez, F., Kandula, N., Williams, D., Cui, L., & Singh, P. (2024). Rapid RNase H-dependent PCR lateral flow assay for the detection of Red Snapper. Food Bioscience, 57, 103390. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2212429223010416

Kwawukume, S. D., Velez, F. J., Williams, D., Cui, L., & Singh, P. (2023). Rapid PCR-lateral flow assay for the onsite detection of Atlantic White Shrimp. Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences, 10. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666566223000047

Saetang, J., Sukkapat, P., Palamae, S., Singh, P., Senathipathi, D. N., Buatong, J., & Benjakul, S. (2023). Multiplex PCR-lateral flow dipstick method for detection of 2 thermostable direct hemolysin (TDH) producing Vibrio para-3 haemolyticus. Biosensors, 13(7), 698. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2079-6374/13/7/698

Kadyan, S., Park, G., Wang, B., Singh, P., Arjmandi, B., & Nagpal, R. (2023). Resistant starches from dietary pulses modulate the gut metabolome in association with microbiome in a humanized murine model of ageing. Scientific Reports, 13, 10566. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-37036-w

Kadyan, S., Park, G., Singh, P., Arjmandi, B., & Nagpal, R. (2023). Prebiotic mechanisms of resistant starches from dietary beans and pulses on gut microbiome and metabolic health in a humanized murine model of aging. Frontiers in Nutrition, 10. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9941547/

Velez, F., Bosilevac, J. M., Mishra, A., & Singh, P. (2023). Universal hydrolysis probe-based assays for the detection of foodborne pathogens. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 204, 106632. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167701222002275

Singh, P., Williams, D., Velez, F., & Nagpal, R. (2022). Comparison of the Gill Microbiome of Retail Oysters from Two Geographical Locations Exhibited Distinct Microbial Signatures: A Pilot Study for Potential Future Applications for Monitoring Authenticity of Their Origins. Applied Microbiology, 3(1), 1-10. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8007/3/1/1

Miller, K. M., Reddy, M. B., Quashie, D., Velez, F. J., Ali, J., Singh, P., & Hennigar, S. R. (2022). Iron-enriched Aspergillus oryzae greater as an alternative to iron sulfate to limit iron accumulation, growth, and motility of the enteric pathogen S. Typhimurium. British Journal of Nutrition, 1-18. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1017%2Fs000711452200335x

Velez, F. J., Bosilevac, J. M., Delannoy, S., Fach, P., Nagpal, R., & Singh, P. (2022). Development and validation of high-resolution melting assays for the detection of potentially virulent strains of Escherichia coli O103 and O121. Food Control, 139, 109095. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0956713522002882

Ippolito, J., Piccolo, B., Robeson, M., Barney, D., Ali, J., Singh, P., & Hennigar, S. (2022). Iron deficient diets modify the effect of oral antibiotics on the gut microbiome and reduce the severity of enteric infection in a mouse model of S. Typhimurium-induced enterocolitis. The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 107, 109065. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S095528632200136X

Kadyan, S., Sharma, A., Arjmandi, B., Singh, P., & Nagpal, R. (2022). Prebiotic Potential of Dietary Beans and Pulses and Their Resistant Starch for Aging-Associated Gut and Metabolic Health. Nutrients, 14(9). Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/14/9/1726

Nagpal, R., Indugu, N., & Singh, P. (2021). Distinct Gut Microbiota Signatures in Mice Treated with Commonly Used Food Preservatives. Microorganisms, 9(11), 9112311. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/9/11/2311

Velez, F. J., Bosilevac, J. M., & Singh, P. (2021). Validation of high-resolution melting assays for the detection of virulent strains of Escherichia coli O26 and O111 in beef and pork enrichment broths. Food Control, 128, 108123. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.foodcont.2021.108123

Sharma, L., Nagpal, R., Jackson, C. R., Patel, D., & Singh, P. (2021). Antibiotic-resistant bacteria and gut microbiome communities associated with wild-caught shrimp from the United States versus imported farm-raised retail shrimp. Scientific Reports, 11, 1-14. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-82823-y

Indugu, N., Sharma, L., Jackson, C. R., & Singh, P. (2020). Whole-Genome Sequence Analysis of Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacter hormaechei Isolated from Imported Retail Shrimp. Microbiology Resource Announcements, 9. Retrieved from https://mra.asm.org/content/9/50/e01103-20.abstract doi:10.1128/MRA.01103-20

Sharma, L., Watts, E., & Singh, P. (2020). High resolution real-time PCR melting curve assay for identification of top five Penaeidae shrimp species. LWT Food Science and Technology, 133, 109983. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0023643820309725

Singh, P., Cubillos, G., Kirshteyn, G., & Bosilevac, J. M. (2020). High-resolution melting real-time PCR assays for detection of Escherichia coli O26 and O111 strains possessing Shiga toxin genes. LWT Food Science and Technology, 131, 109785. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S002364382030774X

Ippolito, J., Barney, D., Singh, P., & Hennigar, S. (2020). Oral Iron Supplementation Increases Severity of Salmonella Typhimurium Infection. Current Developments in Nutrition. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S247529912309830X

Sangokunle, O. O., Sathe, S. K., & Singh, P. (2020). Purified Starches from 18 Pulses Have Markedly Different Morphology, Oil Absorption and Water Absorption Capacities, Swelling Power, and Turbidity. Starch - Stärke. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/star.202000022

Rather, I. A., Bajpai, V. K., Ching, L. L., Majumder, R., Nam, Gyeong-Jun, Indugu, N., Singh, P., Kumar, S., Hajrah, N. H., Sabir, J. S. M., Kamli, M. R., & Park, Yong-Ha. (2020). Effect of a bioactive product SEL001 from Lactobacillus sakei probio65 on gut microbiota and its anti-colitis effects in a TNBS-induced colitis mouse model. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 27, 261-270. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1319562X19301664

Singh, P., Liu, Y., Bosilevac, J., & Mustapha, A. (2019). Detection of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, stx1, stx2, and Salmonella by two high resolution melt curve multiplex real-time PCR. Food Control, 96, 251-259. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956713518304857

Liu, Y., Singh, P., & Mustapha, A. (2018). Multiplex high resolution melt-curve real-time PCR assay for reliable detection of Salmonella. Food Control, 91, 225-230. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0956713518301506

Tian, K., Chen, X., Luan, B., Singh, P., Yang, Z., Gates, K., Lin, M., Mustapha, A., & Gu, L. (2018). Single Locked Nucleic Acid-Enhanced Nanopore Genetic Discrimination of Pathogenic Serotypes and Cancer Driver Mutations. ACS Nano, 12(5), 4194-4205. Retrieved from https://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.8b01198

Liu, Y., Singh, P., & Mustapha, M. (2018). High-resolution melt curve PCR assay for specific detection of E. coli O157:H7 in beef. Food Control, 86, 275-282. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2017.11.025

Singh, P., Hung, Yen-Con, & Hang Qi. (2018). Efficacy of Peracetic Acid in Inactivating Foodborne Pathogens on Fresh Produce Surface. Journal of Food Science, 83, 432-439. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1750-3841.14028

Ouf, J. M. M., Yuan, Y., Singh, P., & Mustapha, M. (2017). Detection of Viable but Nonculturable Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Ground Beef by Propidium Monoazide real-time PCR. International Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Technology, 3, 026-031. Retrieved from https://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search.do?recordID=IN2019900017

Singh, P., Pfeifer, Y., & Mustapha, A. (2016). Multiplex real-time PCR assay for the detection of extended-spectrum β-lactamase and carbapenemase genes using melting curve analysis. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 124, 72-78. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0167701216300495

Forghani, F., Singh, P., Seo, Kun-Ho, & Oh, Deog-Hwan. (2016). A novel pentaplex real time (RT)- PCR high resolution melt curve assay for simultaneous detection of emetic and enterotoxin producing Bacillus cereus in food. Food Control, 60, 560-568. Retrieved from http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2015.08.030

Book chapter:

Singh, P., Velez, F., & Forghani, F. (2021). Methods for Multiplex Real-Time PCR Melting Curve Assays for Pathogen Detection. In Irshad M. Sulaiman, PhD (Ed.), Diagnosis of Pathogenic Microorganisms Causing Infectious Diseases (pp. 16). CRC Press.

Zaffran, V., Kirshteyn, G., Singh, P. (2019). Application of Predatory Bacteria for Enhancing Food Safety and Mitigating Clinical Pathogens. In: Application of Predatory Bacteria for Enhancing Food Safety. Editors: Santosh Mishra. Apple Academic Press

Singh, P., Gao, F., Bernat, A. (2019). Nanobodies and their in vivo applications. In: Advanced Biosensors for Health Care Applications. Editors: Inamuddin, Raju Khan, Ali Mohammad and Abdullah M. Asiri. Elsevier. ISBN: 9780128157435

Mustapha, A., & Singh, P. (2013). Applications of molecular-based foodborne pathogen detection. In: Microbial Food Safety and Preservation Techniques. Editors: V Ravishankar Rai and A Jamuna Bai. CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group ISBN: 9781466593060

 

Patented Inventions

Singh, P., & Bosilevac, J. (submitted). Methods and compositions for determining microorganism presence and concentration using PCR primers of varying amplification efficiencies. Application Number: 18/885,015, Florida State University. Tallahassee, Florida. 

Singh, P. (submitted). Digital PCR assay for the rapid screening of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli. Application Number: 63/691,097. Tallahassee, Florida. 

  • The PI has submitted a disclosure of the invention to the Florida State University (08/30/2024). The assay developed can be used by the beef processing facilities to rapidly screen beef samples and facilitate the same day release of the beef samples. 

Singh, P. (submitted). Methods and compositions useful in discriminating between fish species. Application Number: 63/570,329, Florida State University. Tallahassee, Florida. 

  • Our laboratory provides seafood species identification service to the seafood industry. The standard method for seafood species identification can take up to 5 days. In our patent application, we have developed an approach that can be used for the onsite testing of samples within two hours. Our approach was developed by collecting inputs from industry experts and can be used by a minimally trained workforce. The approach can be further used for pathogen identification, seafood species identification, and meat species authentication. 

Singh, P. (submitted). Methods and compositions useful in discriminating between fish species. Application Number: US18/341,277, Florida State University. Tallahassee, Florida. 

Singh, P. (submitted). Methods and Compositions for Detecting Virulent and Avirulent Escherichia coli Strains. Application Number:US18/157,434, Florida State University. Tallahassee, Florida. 

Singh, P., & Bosilevac, J. (submitted). Methods and compositions for determining microorganism presence and concentration using PCR primers of varying amplification efficiencies. Application Number: EP4352259A1, Florida State University. Tallahassee, Florida. 

Singh, P. (submitted). Methods and Compositions for Detecting Virulent and Avirulent Escherichia coli Strains. Application Number: US17/185,077, Florida State University. Tallahassee, Florida. Retrieved from https://patents.google.com/patent/US20210292816A1/en

Singh, P., & Bosilevac, J. (2024). Methods and compositions for determining microorganism presence and concentration using PCR primers of varying amplification efficiencies. Application Number: 18/568,614, Florida State University. Tallahassee, Florida. 

Mustapha, A., & Singh, P. (2019). Multiplex assay for detection of bacterial species in biological samples. 10190177, University of Missouri System. Columbia, Missouri. Retrieved from https://patents.google.com/patent/US10190177B2/en

  • This patent focused on the specific detection of E. coli O157:H7 and non-O157 STEC strains. 
     

Honors, Awards, and Prizes

  • FSU Discovery Challenge, Florida State University (2024). ($25,000): My intellectual property (i.e., RIGHTTest), licensed to SeaD Consulting, received second prize ($25,000). David Williams participated in the competition on behalf of the company. I am the chief technical officer of the SeaD Consulting. 
  • FSU Discovery Challenge, Florida State University (2023). ($50,000): First Prize. 
  • Laboratorian of the Year Award, Florida Association of Food Protection (2023). 
  • Yun-Hwa P. Hsieh Innovation & Excellence Award, Florida State University (2021). ($4,500). 
  • Fellow for Scialog: Mitigating Zoonotic Threats, Scialog (2021). 
  • Provost Faculty Travel Award, Florida State University (2019). 
  • Feeding Tomorrow Scholarships, Institute of Food Technologists (2014). ($2,000). 
  • Dr. Marion Fields Graduate Fellowship Fund, University of Missouri (2013). ($1,000). 
  • Faye W. Ferguson Graduate Fellowship Award, University of Missouri (2012). ($3,500). 
  • Faye W. Ferguson Graduate Fellowship Award, University of Missouri (2011). ($3,500). 
  • IFT AAFSIS Poster Competition, Institute of Food Technologists (2011). ($500). 
  • Italian Government Scholarships, Department of Higher Education, Govt. of India (2009). 

 

Media Coverage

Cann, C. (2025). 'Shrimp fraud' rampant at many Gulf Coast restaurants, new studies find. USA Today. 

Moen, M. (2024). Onions caused McDonald's E. coli outbreak but beef production still a concern. Public News Service. 

Molyneaux, P. (2024). Scientists' testing detects fake shrimp labeling. National Fisherman. 

Gatto, M., & Muller, W. (2024). Genetic testing shows more Gulf of Mexico shrimp at Louisiana seafood market, festival. Fox8 Local First. 

Muller, W., Gatto, M., & Sauer, D. (2024). Genetic testing shows more Gulf of Mexico shrimp at Louisiana seafood market, festival. Louisiana Illuminator. 

Elkadi, N. (2024). Why the McDonald's E. coli Outbreak Still Comes Back to Meat. Sentient. 

Fattah, M., & Richardson, R. (2024). The E. coli strain linked to McDonald's Quarter Pounders is common and deadly. NBC News. 

Boodoo, S. (2024). Unmasking Seafood Fraud: Researchers and Industry Develop Tools To Identify Mislabeling in Seafood Products. Florida Sea Grant. 

Blank, C. (2023). Florida researchers develop rapid authenticity test to combat shrimp mislabeling, species substitution. SeafoodSource. 

Powell, M. (2023). Prawn Broker: FSU researchers develop shrimp authenticity test. Florida State University. 

Mayer, L. (2023). US researchers develop cheap, quick seafood authenticity test. Undercurrent News. 

Singh, P. (2023). Florida State Researchers Develop Rapid Test for Determining Shrimp Species. Southern Shrimp Alliance. 

 

Accomplishments

  • Patent No. 20160032366: Rapid assay for detection of shiga toxin producing E. coli and antibiotic resistant pathogens.
  • IFT Feeding Tomorrow graduate scholarship recipient
  • Faye W. Furguson scholarship recipient
  • Italian government scholarships recipient