Amilton de Mello

Associate Professor

Department: Agriculture, Veterinary & Rangeland Sciences
Office: 775-784-6648
Fax: 775-784-1375
Email: ademello@unr.edu
Building: FA
Room: 103C
Mailstop: 202
Website: Nevada Meat Science Lab
Website: Facebook

Summary

Dr. de Mello's research focuses on positively impact meat industry operations, production costs, meat quality attributes, and animal welfare.

Current research topics include pre and post-harvest food safety interventions, effects of feeding different sources of energy on meat composition, shelf life stability, added value-fresh cuts, and effects of physiologic parameters on muscle-to-meat transformation.

Honors & Awards

University of Nevada, Reno - Early Career Innovator Award (2018)
Washoe County 4H Program - Friend of 4-H Service Award (2019)
University of Nevada, Reno - Cooperative Extension Outstanding Academic Faculty (2020)
American Meat Science Association - Achievement Award (2022)

Service

USDA - State of Nevada HACCP Coordinator (2018- current)
USDA - National Advisory Committee on Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI) - Advisor (2018-2020)
Nevada Food Safety Task Force (NFSTF) - Academia Chair (2015-2020)

Education

D.V.M. University of Marilia, Veterinary Medicine, 2001
M.S., Sao Paulo State University, 2005
Ph.D., University of Nebraska, 2010

Publications

Fact Sheets

Application of bacteriophages on beef trim decreases loads of Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli (STEC) in ground beef

2019

Extension, University of Nevada, Reno FS 19-02

Shebs, E.L., Torres, E.S., de Mello, A.S.

This fact sheet contains extensive information on the benefits of bacteriophages on beef trim....

Effects of wet and dry aging on yields, tenderness and microbial loads of beef loins

2019

Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS 19-01

de Mello, A.S.

This fact sheet contains extensive information on beef short lions usage for wet and dry aging on yields by measuring the tenderness and microbial loads after 21 and 42 days....

Finishing diets containing dry and modified corn distillers grains differently affect fatty acid profile of beef

2019

Extension | University of Nevada, Reno, FS 19-03

Giotto, F.M., Fruet, A.P.B., de Mello, A.S.

Journals

Effect of Beef Silver Skin (Epimysium) Levels on Meat Emulsion Stability, Quality Attributes, and Texture Parameters

2023

Foods 2023, 12(20

Kewata, K., Giotto, F.M., de Mello, A.S., Kingery, T., Silva, L.H.P.

Effects of isoenergetic supplementation as water use mitigation strategy on water footprint and health of nursing bull calves

2023

Transl Anim Sci. 2023 Nov 16;7(1):txad127

Franco, A. M., da Silva, A. E. M., de Moura, F. H., Norris, A. B., Roloson, S. B., Gerrard, D. E.; De Mello, A. S.; Fonseca, M. A.

Systém hodnocení jatecných tel skotu v USA

2023

Maso, 2023, roc. 34(2), s. 31-37. ISSN 1210-4086.

Lebedová, N., de Mello, A., Gamage, N., Barton, L., Bureš,

Discarded pecan seeds as an alternative feedstuff in lamb diets: Effects on intake, growth performance, carcass weights, and meat quality

2022

Small Ruminant Research, Volume 213, August 2022,

Giotto, F.M., Grandis, F.A., de Mello, A.S., Ribeiro, E.L.A.

Effects of MS bacteriophages, ultraviolet light, and organic acid applications on beef trim contaminated with STEC O157:H7 and the “Big Six” serotypes after a simulated High Event Period Scenario

2022

Meat Science

Shebs, E.L., Giotto, F.G., de Mello, A.S.

Effects of bacteriophages and peroxyacetic acid applications on beef contaminated with Salmonella during different grinding stages

2021

Meat Science

Shebs-Maurine, E.L., Giotto, F.M., Laidler, S.T., de Mello, A.S.

Effects of lipid and starch supplementation as water intake mitigation techniques on performance and efficiency of nursing Holstein calves

2021

Translational Animal Science, Volume 5, Issue 3, July 2021

Macias-Franco, A., da Silva, A.E.M.., de Moura, F.H., Norris, A.B., Van Den Broek, K., Valcheck, M., de Mello, A.S., Fonseca, M.A.

Application of MS bacteriophages on contaminated trimmings reduces Escherichia coli O157 and non-O157 in ground beef

2020

Meat Science

Shebs-Maurine, E.S., Torres,E .S., Yeh-Parker, de Mello, A.S.

Effects of muscle and finishing diets containing distillers grains with low moisture levels on fatty acid deposition in two novel value-added beef cuts

2020

Food Science of Animal Resources, pISSN: 2636-0772, eISSN: 2636-0780

Giotto, F. M. Fruet, A. P. B., Nörnberg J. L.,Calkins, C. R., de Mello, A. S.

Effects of the incorporation of tannin extract from Quebracho Colorado wood on color Parameters, lipid oxidation, and sensory attributes of beef patties

2020

Foods 2020, 9(5), 667

Fruet, A.P.B., Giotto, F.M., Fonseca, M.F., Nörnberg, J.L., and de Mello, A.S.

Condensed tannins from Quebracho Colorado wood are incorporated into beef patties as a natural antioxidant source to improve shelf life....

Efficacy of bacteriophage and organic acids in decreasing STEC O157:H7 populations in beef kept under vacuum and aerobic conditions: A simulated High Event Period scenario

2020

Meat Science. Volume 162, April 2020,

Shebs. E.L., Lukov, M.J., Giotto, F.M., Torres, E.S., de Mello, A.S.

Bacteriophages led to improved reductions of the bacteria E. coli in aerobically-packaged beef. As well as, bacteriophage applications are more effective than organic acids in package meats....

Effects of different antioxidants on quality of beef patties from steers fed low-moisture distillers grains

2019

Meat Science, Volume 154, August 2019, Pages 119-125

Fruet, A.P.B., Nörnberg, J.L., Calkins, C.R., de Mello, A.S.

Corn Distillers Grains plus Solubles (DGS) are commonly used as a source of protein and energy for finishing cattle and its composition may vary based on moisture levels, fat and protein content....

Effect of ultraviolet light, organic acids, and bacteriophage on Salmonella populations in ground beef

2018

Meat Science

Yeh, Y., de Moura, F., Van de Broek, K., de Mello, A.S.

Effects of feeding legume-grass pasture and different concentrate levels on fatty acid profile, volatile compounds, and off-flavor of the M. longissimus thoracis

2018

Meat Science

Fruet, A.P.B., Trombetta, F, Stefanello, F.S., Speroni, C.S., Donadel, J.Z., De Souza, A.N.M, Rosado Júnior, A., Tonetto, C.J., Wagner, R., de Mello, A.S., Nörnberg, J.L.

Effects of fortification of beef steaks with krill oil on physical, chemical, and sensory characteristics

2018

Journal of Human Nutrition & Food Science

Fruet, A. P., Gerrard, D., Nörnberg, J. L. and de Mello, A. S.

Growth performance and carcass traits of steers finished on three different systems including legume–grass pasture and grain diets

2018

Animal

Fruet, A.P.B; Stefanello, F.S.; Trombetta, F.; De Souza, A.N.M.; , Rosado Júnior, A.G.; Tonetto, C.J.; Flores, J.L.C.; Scheibler, R.B.; Bianchi, R.M.; Pacheco, P.S.; De Mello, A. S.; and Nörnberg, J.L.

Meat Science Lexicon

2018

Meat and Muscle Biology 2(3)

Seman, D.L., Boler, D.D., Carr, C.D., Dikeman, M.E., Owens, C.M., Keeton, J.T., Pringle, T.D., Sindelar, J.J., Woerner, D.R., de Mello, A.S., Powell, T. M.

The American Meat Science Association became aware of the need to develop a lexicon for the standardization of various terms used in meat sciences that have been adopted by researchers in allied...

Oxidative stability of beef from steers finished exclusively with concentrate, supplemented, or on legume-grass pasture

2018

Meat Science

Fruet, A.P.B., de Mello, A.S., Trombetta, F., Stefanello, F.S., Speroni, C.S., de Vargas, D.P., de Souza, A.N.M., Rosado Júnior, A.G., Tonetto, C.J., Nörnberg, J.L.

Bacteriophage application on red meats and poultry: Effects on Salmonella population in final ground products

2017

Meat Science

Yeh, Y., Purushothaman, P., Gupta, N., Ragnone, M., Verma, S. C., de Mello, A. S.

Effects of finishing diets containing wet distillers grains plus solubles on beef quality attributes and fatty acid profile

2017

Meat Science

de Mello, A.S., Jenschke, B.E., Senaratne, L.S., Carr, T.P., Erickson, G.E., Calkins, C.R.

Effects of long spray-chilling on water pocket development in ribeyes

2017

Meat Science

de Mello, A. S.; Ringkob, T., Yeh, Y.

Evaluation of palatability and muscle composition of novel value-added beef cuts

2017

Meat Science

Yeh, Y., Ribeiro, F.A., Omaye, S.T., Calkins, C.R., de Mello, A. S.

Animal welfare of pre-slaughter handling and the influence on pork quality and stress physiological parameters.

2012

Ciencia Rural 42: 532-537

Ludtke, C. B.; Dalla Costa, O. A.; Roça, R. O.; Silveira, E. T. F.; Athayde, N. B.; Araújo, A. P.; de Mello, A. S.; Azambuja, N. C.

Beef Quality of Calf-Fed Steers Finished on Varying Levels of Corn-Based Wet Distillers Grains Plus Solubles.

2012

Journal of Animal Science, v. 1, p. 232-237

de Mello, A. S.; Calkins, C. R.; Jenschke, B. E.; Carr, T. P.; Dugan, M. E. R.; Erickson, G. E.

Effects of feeding modified distillers grains plus solubles on marbling attributes, proximate composition and fatty acid profile of beef.

2012

Journal of Animal Science, v. 1, p. 234-242

de Mello, A. S.; Jenschke, B. E.; Senaratne, L. S.; Carr, T. P.; Erickson, G. E.; Calkins, C. R.

Evaluation of performance, carcass characteristics & sensory attributes of beef from finishing steers fed field peas.

2011

Journal of Animal Science 89: 1167-1172

Jenkins, K. H.; Vasconcelos, J. T.; Hinkle J. B. ; Furman, S. A.; de Mello, A. S.; Senaratne, L. S.; Pokharel, S.; Calkins, C. R.

Effect of Cooking Method, Distiller's Grains, and Vitamin E Supplementation on the Vitamin Content of Value Cuts from Beef Steers Fed Wet Distiller's Grains and Solubles and Supplemental Vitamin E.

2010

Journal of Food Science 75: 166-172.

Kim, Y.N.; Giraud, D.W.; Masrizal, M.A.; Hamouz, F.L.; Watanabe, K.; Schnepf, M.I.; de Mello, A. S.; Erickson, G.E.; Calkins, C.R.; Driskell, J.A.

Mapping of intramuscular tenderness and muscle fiber orientation of muscles in the beef round.

2010

Journal of Animal Science 88: 3084-3106.

Senaratne, L. S.; Calkins, C. R.; de Mello, A. S.; Pokharel, S. ; Hinkle, J. B.

Vitamin and mineral content of value cuts from beef steers fed distiller's grains.

2010

Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 24: 362-367

Driskell, J. A.; Kim, Y. N.; Giraud, D. W.; Hamouz, F. L.; de Mello, A. S.; Erickson, G. E.; Calkins, C. R.

Effect of Hydrogen Peroxide in the Scald Tank on the Microbial Count of Pork Skin.

2009

The Journal of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine in Tropical Countries 62: 27-31.

de Mello, A.S.; Roça, R. O.