Spectroscopy and multispectral imaging support a number of research areas. We use these techniques to determine the composition as well as the localisation of components in complex foods and plant tissues. Our research focuses especially on the molecular structures and interactions of food biopolymers that govern their physical properties. This helps us understand the functionality of biological materials in a wide range of areas from raw material quality to nutritional functionality and tissue health.
Gut Health
- Dendritic cell movements (Multi-photon microscopy)
- Toxoplasma invasion (Multi-photon microscopy)
- Gut mucus layer properties (FTIR / protein structure)
Healthy Food
- Protein structure and allergenicity (FTIR / protein structure)
- Purple tomatoes (Texture analysis)
- Cereals – nutrition and structure (FTIR microscopy / imaging)
- High amylose starch (FTIR and Raman microscopy / imaging / texture analysis)
Food Quality
- Cold storage of vegetables (UV/VIS/NIR / FTIR / chemometrics)
- Fraud detection in spirits (VIS/NIR / chemometrics)
Sustainability of the food chain
- Utilisation of plant biopolymers (FTIR / texture analysis / imaging)
- Utilisation of food and other waste (FTIR / chemometrics)
- Second generation biofuels from straw (FTIR / chemometrics)
Environment
- Microplastics in seafloor sediments (UV/VIS/NIR / FTIR)
Pharmaceutics
- Complex drug delivery systems (FTIR / texture analysis / imaging)