Food chain microbiome

January 6th, 2023

Understanding the food structure and microbiome of retail vegetables and meat products from farm until consumption to improve their shelf life, safety and health benefits.

Washed baby spinach

Food chain microbiome of retail baby spinach

Understanding the microbiome of retail baby spinach from the time of harvest until consumption to improve the health, shelf life, safety and quality of final product.

Credit - Mark Stebnicki

Fresh produce microbiomes to address food safety and spoilage while enhancing consumer health benefits.

Researching the microbiome of rockmelons, lettuce, spinach and tomatoes to find novel solutions for reducing microbial spoilage and food safety risks while enhancing the fresh produce health benefits.

Fruit and vegetables. Credit - Devon Breen

Interactions between food microstructure, the gut microbiome, and health outcomes of infants during weaning

Understanding the impact microstructure of the food matrix has on the structure and function of the weaning infant’s gut microbiome, and how this affects health outcomes.

Credit - Dana Sredojevic

Investigating the impact of anti-microbials on responses of key pathogens and microbial communities in processed meat for enhanced microbial safety and shelf-life.

To meet consumer demands of meat products that are free from synthetic preservatives, researchers are exploring the impact of adding natural anti-microbials in order to influence the microbiome of meat to ensure safety and extend shelf-life.

Publications

Credit - Photo Max

Publication alert – Omics applications to understand food system microbiomes.

Omic advancements will enable a greater understanding into food system microbiomes along the entire continuum from farm to fork, with benefits for farmers, consumers and the environment.