Applications of probiotics in yoghurt, soy yoghurt and Cheddar cheese. The main goal of this study is to develop probiotic yoghurt and Cheddar cheese using selected strains of probiotic bacteria and examine their survival and effects on proteolysis and sensory attributes of these products. Research aimed at enrichment of suitable probiotic adjunct starter in these products provides the potential to markedly improve both the health status and quality of products. Optimum conditions for survival o ....Applications of probiotics in yoghurt, soy yoghurt and Cheddar cheese. The main goal of this study is to develop probiotic yoghurt and Cheddar cheese using selected strains of probiotic bacteria and examine their survival and effects on proteolysis and sensory attributes of these products. Research aimed at enrichment of suitable probiotic adjunct starter in these products provides the potential to markedly improve both the health status and quality of products. Optimum conditions for survival of probiotic bacteria and processing conditions that guarantee high levels of probiotic bacteria for health benefits will be known. The results will provide critical information for improving survival of probiotic bacteria and quality of probiotic yoghurt, and Cheddar cheese.Read moreRead less
Stability of bioactive isoflavone aglycones and probiotic bacteria in soy based food during processing and storage. The aims of this study are to ascertain the optimum conditions for bioconversion of inactive isoflavone glucosides to bioactive isoflavone aglycones by bifidobacteria and assess the stability of bioactive aglycones during processing and storage. Studies have shown that dietary phytoestrogen an important role in prevention of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and breast and prost ....Stability of bioactive isoflavone aglycones and probiotic bacteria in soy based food during processing and storage. The aims of this study are to ascertain the optimum conditions for bioconversion of inactive isoflavone glucosides to bioactive isoflavone aglycones by bifidobacteria and assess the stability of bioactive aglycones during processing and storage. Studies have shown that dietary phytoestrogen an important role in prevention of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and breast and prostate cancer (Nagata et al., 1998). Optimum conditions for production of bioactive isoflavones and processing conditions that guarantee high levels of bioactive isoflavones for health benefits will be known. The results will provide critical information for creating market potential for a range of health based functional foods.Read moreRead less
Development of a new micro-encapsulation system using a novel falling-film technology for bio-encapsulation of synbiotic functional dairy products. The inclusion of probiotic (beneficial) bacteria in foods is linked to positive health benefits by suppressing harmful micro-organisms in the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT). Prebiotic ingredients stimulate the growth of these bacteria. Since dairy products containing both probiotic and prebiotic ingredients ("synbiotic") are gaining importance globa ....Development of a new micro-encapsulation system using a novel falling-film technology for bio-encapsulation of synbiotic functional dairy products. The inclusion of probiotic (beneficial) bacteria in foods is linked to positive health benefits by suppressing harmful micro-organisms in the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT). Prebiotic ingredients stimulate the growth of these bacteria. Since dairy products containing both probiotic and prebiotic ingredients ("synbiotic") are gaining importance globally, new protective measures are needed to preserve the activity and viability of these ingredients. This project aims to develop a new micro-encapsulation system to encapsulate bacteria within foods for safe delivery to GIT, to encapsulate enzymes for accelerated cheese ripening, that will significantly enhance the development of a new generation of healthy foods.Read moreRead less
Development of mature and intense flavours in low-fat cheeses using micro-encapsulated enzyme technology. Obesity related diseases are escalating in Australia. Consumers, although encouraged to favour low-fat alternatives in their diet to combat obesity, find low-fat alternatives unpalatable and continue to select full-fat alternatives. There is a need to provide consumers with a full-fat flavoured low-fat cheese. The aim of this project is to develop low-fat cheese products with flavours compar ....Development of mature and intense flavours in low-fat cheeses using micro-encapsulated enzyme technology. Obesity related diseases are escalating in Australia. Consumers, although encouraged to favour low-fat alternatives in their diet to combat obesity, find low-fat alternatives unpalatable and continue to select full-fat alternatives. There is a need to provide consumers with a full-fat flavoured low-fat cheese. The aim of this project is to develop low-fat cheese products with flavours comparable to fully ripened, mature, full-fat cheeses using microencapsulation technology. The outcome will be a rise in demand for low-fat cheese products that will reduce dietary fat intake while maintaining the positive nutritional benefits associated with cheese.Read moreRead less
The microbiology and biotechnology of rum production. Rum is an alcoholic beverage produced by microbial fermentation of molasses waste from the sugar industry. The microbial species responsible for the process determine rum flavour and quality by production of specific aroma compounds. The rate and extent of fermentation determine process efficiency. Several yeast and bacterial species contribute to rum fermentation but this ecology is poorly defined. Through a combination of ecological stu ....The microbiology and biotechnology of rum production. Rum is an alcoholic beverage produced by microbial fermentation of molasses waste from the sugar industry. The microbial species responsible for the process determine rum flavour and quality by production of specific aroma compounds. The rate and extent of fermentation determine process efficiency. Several yeast and bacterial species contribute to rum fermentation but this ecology is poorly defined. Through a combination of ecological studies, controlled fermentations and distillation, chemical and sensory analyses, this project will determine the impact of particular microbial species on rum flavour and process efficiency. This information will be used by the industrial partner to enchance product quality and process efficiency.Read moreRead less
Evaluation of High-Power Ultrasound as an Innovative Tool for Sanitation, Colour/Flavour Extraction and Fermentation Enhancement in Wine Making. The multibillion-dollar wine industry forms a significant part of the Australian economy especially in regional areas. The application of high power ultrasound (HPU) to the cleaning and disinfection of wine barrels as well as for the enhancement of wine through improved fermentation and extraction of flavours and colours from grapes will have significan ....Evaluation of High-Power Ultrasound as an Innovative Tool for Sanitation, Colour/Flavour Extraction and Fermentation Enhancement in Wine Making. The multibillion-dollar wine industry forms a significant part of the Australian economy especially in regional areas. The application of high power ultrasound (HPU) to the cleaning and disinfection of wine barrels as well as for the enhancement of wine through improved fermentation and extraction of flavours and colours from grapes will have significant benefits to this industry. It is essential that Australia also capitalise on the benefits that this technology can provide in improved processing and products, lower costs, reduction in environmental pollution, water re-use and replacement of "dirty" energy. In this way the impact on this industry will help cement Australia's position in the world wine market long into the future.Read moreRead less