norlia.mahror@usm.my
		Ext: 5210
		Food microbiology and food safety Mycotoxin contamination in foods Identification and characterization of mycotoxigenic fungi

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IMG 111 Food Microbiology 1

This course begins with an overview and history of microbiology. Topics discussed include prokaryotic and eukaryotic structure & function, criteria used in classification, physiology of microorganisms (including reproduction, growth and metabolism), genetics (classical and molecular), physical and chemical control of microorganisms. The laboratory component of this course will cover techniques of microbiology such as microscopy, various culture techniques, isolation, identification, and enumeration.

IMG 222 Food Microbiology 2

This course covers factors (intrinsic, extrinsic and implicit) responsible for the selection of specific spoilage organisms of different food commodities; microbiology of various food commodities, indicator organisms microbiological criteria and sampling plans. Various foodborne pathogens are also discussed. The laboratory component of this course covers microbiological examination of foods for both indicator and pathogenic organisms.

IMK 407 Food Safety

This course focuses on practices that will ensure the production, processing and preparation of safe foods. Topics covered are the type of contaminants, types of soils and their interaction with contact surfaces; various cleaning operations; election, application and safety of detergents and sanitizers; Code of Food Hygiene; Food safety management tools such as GMPs/GAPs/SSOP/HACCP, risk management, food toxicology and food allergens will also be covered in this course.

IMK 410 Foodborne Pathogens

This course covers incidence, trends, epidemiology, nature of illness, growth characteristics and current detection, prevention and control methods of both traditional and emerging foodborne pathogens (bacteria and their toxins, viruses and parasites). Outbreaks of recent foodborne illness and their investigations will also be discussed.

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Research interest

• Microbiological food safety
• Foodborne pathogens
• Mycotoxin contamination in foods (aflatoxins, ochratoxins, etc.)
• Morphological and molecular characterization of mycotoxigenic fungi (Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, etc.)
• Phylogenetic analysis of mycotoxigenic fungi (Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, etc.)

Vacancy for Graduate Research Assistance (GRA)

Project title: Evaluation of the mycological quality of spices in reducing the risk of mycotoxin contamination (Short Term Grant, USM)

Requirements: Bachelor Degree in Food Science, Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or any other related field. Experience in PCR, and HPLC will be an advantage.

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Journals

1. Norlia, M., Jinap, S., Nor-Khaizura, M.A.R., Radu, S., John, J.M., Rahman, M.A.H., Peter, M.L., Sharif, Z. (2020). Modelling the effect of temperature and water activity on the growth rate of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin production in peanut meal extract agar. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 335, 108836
2. Ahmad Zaidi, A.I., Ghazali, M.A.A., Nik Muhammad, N.A., Sazali, N.S., Norlia, M., Yazid, S.N.E., Jinap. S. & Samsudin, N.I.P. (2020). Does manufacturer’s size affect the prevalence of mycobiota and occurrence of mycotoxins in spices and spice-based products? World Mycotoxin Journal, 13, 83–95.
3. Farawahida, A.H., Jinap, S., Nor-Khaizura, M.A.R., Samsudin, N.I.P. Chin, C.K. & Norlia, M. (2020). Prevalence of Aspergillus spp. and occurrence of aflatoxins in peanut sauce processing by peanut sauce manufacturers. International Food Research Journal, 27, 120–129.
4. Norlia, M., Jinap, S., Nor-Khaizura, M. A. R., Radu, S., Chin, C. K., Samsudin, N. I. P., & Farawahida, A. H. (2019). Molecular characterisation of aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus section Flavi isolated from imported peanuts along the supply chain in Malaysia. Toxins, 11, 1–20.
5. Norlia, M., Jinap, S., Nor-khaizura, M. A. R., Radu, S., Samsudin, N. I. P., & Azri, F. A. (2019). Aspergillus section Flavi and aflatoxins: Occurrence, detection, and identification in raw peanuts and peanut-based products along the supply chain. Frontiers in Microbiology, 10, 1–17.
6. Norlia, M., Jinap, S., Nor-Khaizura, M. A. R., Son, R., Chin, C. K., & Sardjono. (2018). Polyphasic approach to the identification and characterization of aflatoxigenic strains of Aspergillus section Flavi isolated from peanuts and peanut-based products marketed in Malaysia. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 282, 9–15.
7. Norlia, M., Nor-Khaizura, M. A. R., Jinap, S., Fatimah, A. B., Radu, S., & Chin, C. K. (2018). Evaluation of aflatoxins and Aspergillus sp. contamination in raw peanuts and peanut-based products along the supply chain in Malaysia. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A, 23, 1–16.
8. Yazid, S. N. E., Thanggavelu, H., Norlia, M., Selamat, J., & Samsudin, N. I. P. (2018). Formulation of maize- and peanut-based semi-synthetic growth media for the ecophysiological studies of aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus in maize and peanut agro-ecosystems. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 282, 57–65.

Conference / Seminar

1. Norlia, M., Jinap, S., Nor-Khaizura, M.A.R., Radu, S., Chin, C.K., Samsudin, N.I.P. & Farawahida, A.H. (2019, August). Molecular Characterisation of Aflatoxigenic and non-Aflatoxigenic Strains of Aspergillus section Flavi Isolated from Imported Peanuts along the Supply Chain in Malaysia. Poster session presented at the 2nd International Food Research Conference, Putrajaya, 27 – 29 August 2019.
2. Mustafa, R.R., Sukor, R., Wan Azman, W.N. & Norlia, M. (2019, August). Prevalence of Toxigenic Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus in Rice Bran. Poster session presented at the 2nd International Food Research Conference, Putrajaya, 27 – 29 August 2019.
3. Norlia, M., Jinap, S., Nor-Khaizura, M.A.R, Fatimah, A.B., Chin, C.K. & Radu, S. (2017, July). Polyphasic Approach to the Identification of Aflatoxigenic and non-Aflatoxigenic Species of Aspergillus section Flavi Isolated from Peanuts and Peanut-based Products. Paper presented at the International Food Research Conference, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, 25 – 27 July 2017.
4. Yazid, S.N.E., Norlia, M., Jinap S. & Samsudin, N.I.P. (2017). Formulation of Maize-based Semi-Synthetic Growth Medium for the Ecophysiological Studies of Aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus in Maize Agro-Ecosystem. Poster session presented at the International Congress of the Malaysian Society for Microbiology, Bangi, Selangor.
5. Norlia, M., Jinap, S., Nor-Khaizura, M.A.R, Radu, S. & Chin, C.K. (2016, November). Critical points of Aflatoxin Contamination in Peanuts along the Supply Chain. Paper presented at the International Symposium of Mycotoxicology, The University of Tokyo, Japan, 30 Nov – 2 Dec 2016.
6. Norlia, M., Jinap, S., Nor-Khaizura, M.A.R, Radu, S. & Chin, C.K. (2016, October). Critical Points of Aflatoxin Contamination in Peanuts along the Supply Chain in Malaysia. Poster session presented at the 4th Asia-Pacific International Food Safety Conference & 7th Asian Conference on Food and Nutrition Safety, Penang, 11 – 13 October 2016.
7. Norlia, M., Jinap, S., Nor-Khaizura, M.A.R, Chin, C.K. & Radu, S. (2016, July). Critical point of Aflatoxin Contamination in Peanuts along the Supply Chain. Paper presented at the International Postgraduate Seminar, 2nd Postgraduate Mobility Program (FOSMOB 2016), Kasertsart University, Bangkok, Thailand, 25 – 31 July 2016.
8. Norlia, M., Jinap, S., Nor-Khaizura, M.A.R, Chin, C.K. & Radu, S. (2015, June). Identification and Characterization of Critical Points along the Peanut Supply chain. Paper presented at the International Postgraduate Seminar, Postgraduate Mobility Program (FOSMOB 2015), Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, 11 – 22 June 2015.

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AWARD/RECOGNITION

• Best Poster Award, 2^nd International Food Research Conference 2019, Universiti Putra Malaysia.
• Young Researcher Award, International Symposium of Mycotoxicology 2016, Tokyo, Japan.
• Financial assistance from Universiti Putra Malaysia to attend the International Symposium of Mycotoxicology 2016, Tokyo, Japan.

LEADERSHIP & PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Participant, HACCP Internal Audit Course, 11-12 August 2021, School of Industrial Technology, USM
• Accompanying lecturer, MIFT 12th National Food Science and Technology Competition 2021
• Committee member, Webinar on Halal Food Industry: Certification, Implementation, and Regulations in Malaysia and Indonesia, 24 April 2021.
• Participant, HACCP Internal Audit Course, 13-14 December 2019, School of Industrial Technology, USM
• Facilitator, Workshop on Analysis of Mycotoxins using HPLC, organised by the Laboratory Food Safety and Food Integrity, Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, UPM (21 – 23 August 2017).
• Committee member, Post-Graduate Mobility Program (2^nd FOSMOB) at Kasertsart University, Bangkok, Thailand (25 – 29 July 2016).
• Committee member, Post-Graduate Mobility Program (1^st FOSMOB) at Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, Indonesia (8 – 11 June 2015).
• Student volunteers, International Mycotoxin Conference 2010, organized by MycoRed and International Society for Mycotoxicology (ISM) at Park Royal Hotel, Penang (1 – 4 Dec 2010).
• Participant, USM-MycoRed-MoniQA joint Training Course on “Capacity Building in Mycotoxin-Safe Food Trade’, USM, Penang (Dec 2010).

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Dr. Norlia Mahror

Tel: 04-6535210 / 013-4727840

email: norlia.mahror@usm.my

 

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