Development of novel omega-3 enriched poultry products. New Health recommendations and changes to the Food Standards Code encourage greater dietary intake of omega-3 (w-3) fatty acids. Our core research on modifying fatty acid composition of poultry tissues and preliminary studies with our industry partner's proprietary fishmeal product (PorcOmega) have indicated the feasibility of producing novel meat products and eggs with high w-3 contents, which would qualify to carry a new nutrition label. ....Development of novel omega-3 enriched poultry products. New Health recommendations and changes to the Food Standards Code encourage greater dietary intake of omega-3 (w-3) fatty acids. Our core research on modifying fatty acid composition of poultry tissues and preliminary studies with our industry partner's proprietary fishmeal product (PorcOmega) have indicated the feasibility of producing novel meat products and eggs with high w-3 contents, which would qualify to carry a new nutrition label. We now propose, in collaboration with our industry partner, to assess the viability of producing such products by conducting poultry feeding trials with PorcOmega on a commercial scale and evaluating both the levels of w-3 enrichement of chicken breast, thigh and sausages, shelf-life and consumer acceptability (sensory evaluation) of these products. We expect to establish feeding strategies for adoption by commercial producers of premium poultry and eggs for local or export markets.Read moreRead less
Development and evaulation of novel foods enriched with very long chain omega-3 fatty acids. This project is a collaborative effort between Meadow Lea Foods, Clover Corporation, and the Universities of Wollongong and Western Australia. The aims are 1) to develop a range of functional foods enriched with omega-3 from tuna oil; 2) to see whether the recommended omega-3 intake, currently nor met by most Australians, can be achieved by including these foods in the diet; 3) to evaluate sensory and he ....Development and evaulation of novel foods enriched with very long chain omega-3 fatty acids. This project is a collaborative effort between Meadow Lea Foods, Clover Corporation, and the Universities of Wollongong and Western Australia. The aims are 1) to develop a range of functional foods enriched with omega-3 from tuna oil; 2) to see whether the recommended omega-3 intake, currently nor met by most Australians, can be achieved by including these foods in the diet; 3) to evaluate sensory and health attributes and other factors that may impact on consumer acceptability hence market potential of the food range. There is little evidence of the feasibility let alone health and social benefits of utilising novel foods to meet the dietary omega-3 recommendation. We expect a) to show how consumers could benefit by using a range of such foods in their customary diet; b) to critically set this achievement within the context of current social trends in food product development. Read moreRead less
Effects of omega-3 fatty acids and micronutrients on learning and behaviour of Indigenous Australian children from a remote community school. Indigenous Australian children have disproportionate health problems that are largely related to malnutrition, which affects physical health and may also impact on their emotional health, learning and behaviour. Indigenous Australian children in remote rural communities are performing well below national benchmarks, and the government has earmarked improve ....Effects of omega-3 fatty acids and micronutrients on learning and behaviour of Indigenous Australian children from a remote community school. Indigenous Australian children have disproportionate health problems that are largely related to malnutrition, which affects physical health and may also impact on their emotional health, learning and behaviour. Indigenous Australian children in remote rural communities are performing well below national benchmarks, and the government has earmarked improved education in this population as a top national priority. To date research has not addressed the impact of nutrition on learning in this population. Improving the nutritional status of these children could assist them to derive greater benefit from educational opportunities, and in turn greater equality of access to occupational opportunities later in life.Read moreRead less
Development and application of an index for substantiating health benefits of omega-3 enriched foods. A cost-effective means of substantiating health claims for omega-3 (w3) rich functional foods is needed to fully exploit growing consumer demand for these products. In a two-stage approach, cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory benefits of w3 will be assessed in human dietary trials; improvements of health status in response to graded doses of w3 supplements will be correlated with docosahexaenoi ....Development and application of an index for substantiating health benefits of omega-3 enriched foods. A cost-effective means of substantiating health claims for omega-3 (w3) rich functional foods is needed to fully exploit growing consumer demand for these products. In a two-stage approach, cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory benefits of w3 will be assessed in human dietary trials; improvements of health status in response to graded doses of w3 supplements will be correlated with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) levels in erythrocytes (DHA Index). Simple bioavailability trials can then be used to determine the intakes of foods required to attain the DHA Index, thus confirming their potential to deliver specified health benefits. Initial trials will support health claims for w3 rich fresh pork and processed pork products.Read moreRead less
Exploring resilience in relation to physical activity and dietary behaviours among children from neighbourhoods of low socioeconomic position. The link between social disadvantage and poor health, across a broad age range, is a serious public health challenge. Current interventions to promote healthy weight-related behaviours among young people ignore the motivators and barriers unique to demographic sub-groups, and are largely ineffective. The personal and socio-environmental correlates of heal ....Exploring resilience in relation to physical activity and dietary behaviours among children from neighbourhoods of low socioeconomic position. The link between social disadvantage and poor health, across a broad age range, is a serious public health challenge. Current interventions to promote healthy weight-related behaviours among young people ignore the motivators and barriers unique to demographic sub-groups, and are largely ineffective. The personal and socio-environmental correlates of healthy behaviours among young South Australians identified in this study are likely to be relevant to low socioeconomic neighbourhoods in other states and territories. As such, this study will offer new insights into intervention design that will give impetus to the efforts of researchers, policy makers and practitioners throughout Australia.Read moreRead less
Cell type-specific transgene expression to increase Fe content in cereal grains. The grains industry forms a vital part of the Australian economy and farm sector. Increased iron concentrations of wheat and other cereal grains would greatly increase their nutritional value for people worldwide, thereby increasing their market value and profitability for farmers. High iron wheat would also lower the production costs of many Australian wheat products by reducing or eliminating the need for iron for ....Cell type-specific transgene expression to increase Fe content in cereal grains. The grains industry forms a vital part of the Australian economy and farm sector. Increased iron concentrations of wheat and other cereal grains would greatly increase their nutritional value for people worldwide, thereby increasing their market value and profitability for farmers. High iron wheat would also lower the production costs of many Australian wheat products by reducing or eliminating the need for iron fortification of wheat flour. High iron cereals promote healthy development of young Australians and can improve preventative healthcare by reducing the incidence of iron deficiency anaemia and biochemical deficiency.Read moreRead less
Explaining the interactions between drought and fertiliser use efficiency using tracing and imaging techniques. With climate change, Australian agriculture is faced with periods of increasing drought and changing rainfall patterns. At the same time, Australian farmers are faced with increasing costs of fertiliser inputs (their largest variable input cost), yet have little information on how they should change their nutrient management programs to suit the changing climatic conditions. This proje ....Explaining the interactions between drought and fertiliser use efficiency using tracing and imaging techniques. With climate change, Australian agriculture is faced with periods of increasing drought and changing rainfall patterns. At the same time, Australian farmers are faced with increasing costs of fertiliser inputs (their largest variable input cost), yet have little information on how they should change their nutrient management programs to suit the changing climatic conditions. This project aims to determine the effect of drought and rainfall patterns on the efficiency of fertiliser use by crops, through examination of the effects of soil moisture conditions on the interaction between soil and added fertilisers. Read moreRead less
Tailoring physiologically-based nanomaterial fertilisers for the biofortification of zinc in broadacre crops. Soil zinc deficiency is a global issue causing low crop yield and malnutrition. This project will develop a new class of fertiliser formulations by combining advanced chemistry techniques with plant physiology knowledge and nanomaterial manufacturing. These products will be designed for enhanced agronomic efficiency and environmental safety.
Early Nutrition and the Programming of Body Composition in Cattle. Australia is the worlds largest beef exporter with the net value of beef export valued at $4.6 billion. The economy of rural and regional Australia relies upon cattle production with the industry bringing a total value to these communities of $7.4 billion. Cattle production in remote Australia is becoming less viable as input costs of production increase relative to income earned and the beef industry is keen to transform produc ....Early Nutrition and the Programming of Body Composition in Cattle. Australia is the worlds largest beef exporter with the net value of beef export valued at $4.6 billion. The economy of rural and regional Australia relies upon cattle production with the industry bringing a total value to these communities of $7.4 billion. Cattle production in remote Australia is becoming less viable as input costs of production increase relative to income earned and the beef industry is keen to transform production methods. Protein is the major limiting nutrient in the Australian rangelands and this proposal will provide new information on how providing protein to cattle during critical periods in their pregnancy can 'program' the body composition of the growing calf to be optimal for the market.Read moreRead less
Intergenerational transmission of dietary behaviour. The health of future generations depends largely on the health of current generations. Bad eating habits associated with obesity and other chronic diseases are often passed from parents to children. This study will provide insight into the ways in which these habits are perpetuated within families of various cultural backgrounds. It will establish how assessing family health history can be used as a tool to help identify and modify the risk of ....Intergenerational transmission of dietary behaviour. The health of future generations depends largely on the health of current generations. Bad eating habits associated with obesity and other chronic diseases are often passed from parents to children. This study will provide insight into the ways in which these habits are perpetuated within families of various cultural backgrounds. It will establish how assessing family health history can be used as a tool to help identify and modify the risk of chronic, life-threatening disease in families and individuals. If proven effective, this tool can be rolled out nationwide to help promote and maintain healthier diets in Australian families and reduce the economic burden on the government.Read moreRead less