The major research objective of this project was to i) identify the mechanisms and pathways of degradation of one major organic phosphorus (phytate) in the environment and ii) develop methods to discriminate sources so that the contribution of natural and anthropogenic sources of phytate in a watershed can be quantified. The educational objective of the project was to develop forensic camps for K-12 students, training of community college students, enhance curricula, and bridge 2-yr community college students to 4-yr university undergraduate program.

 The outcome of the project exceeded the stated research and educational objectives. It generated a series of significant scientific findings. The major outcome includes the development of a new isotope tracer that can discriminate sources of phytate as well as connect parent-daughter relationships. This method has transdisciplinary applications, including food science, agronomy, and ecology. Novel findings on the conversion of stereoisomers and that synthesis and degradation of phytate can go side by side are scientifically most intriguing and require a rethinking of our current understanding of the fate of these compounds in the environment. Future research in the PI’s laboratory will continue to explore further.

 The scientific outcomes of this project are published in 21 peer-reviewed papers and one book chapter. The knowledge gained was disseminated to the public through 3 keynote talks, 18 invited talks, and 19 professional society meeting presentations. Further, it established collaboration with three researchers in the US and three research scientists outside of the US in the field of organic phosphorus in the environment.

 This project provided training opportunities for nine undergraduate students, four graduate students, and two postdoctoral associates and contributed to enhancing their scientific and technical skills. Two undergraduates completed their degrees at UD, and five other undergraduates were provided summer training. Two additional undergraduates from 2-yr local community college were bridged into 4-yr undergraduate program at UD. Both of them completed their degree and now have landed careers. Out of four, two graduate students completed the degree and are now postdocs in first-tier universities. One student is scheduled to graduate in May 2023 and the other is on track to complete the degree next year. One of the postdocs in this project is now a tenure-track faculty and the other is continuing in a related project. Two Environmental Forensics summer camps attracted 60+ middle and high school students from the neighboring schools and provided hands-on learning on observation and identifying the origins of their own foods as well as knowing the fate of fertilizers in the garden and backyards.

 Data generated from this project contributed partly to achieving the major research instrument (MRI) award. This project partially aided in establishing a new isotope facility, the Environmental Isotope Science (EIS) Center, at the University of Delaware. The state-of-the-art isotope facility continues to serve the research needs of diverse researchers and connect communities of scientists for environmental isotope areas at UD and the region. A 6-month long ‘isotope scholar’ program led by the PI trained students and early career faculty at UD.

 This project catalyzed a series of collaborations and further highlighted the importance of research in organic phosphorus. Those collaborations, both in the US and abroad, are being continued and together will contribute to the improved quantitation of these compounds and better understand their fates and overall impact on agriculture and the environment.

Last Modified: 03/08/2023
Modified by: Deb P Jaisi