INVITATION: Inaugural address of Professor Mohammad Naushad Emmambux (Department of Consumer and Food Sciences)

  • DATE

    07 September 2021

  • TIME

    18:00 - 19:00

  • VENUE

    Online

The Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Prof Barend Erasmus, cordially invites you to the virtual inaugural address of Professor Mohammad Naushad Emmambux (Department of Consumer and Food Sciences).

RSVP Click on link to register: here
Enquiries - For more information please contact Ms Johanna Malaji at [email protected]

 

Abstract

Technological innovation for food- and nutrition security, and sustainability: A food biopolymer perspective

Prof Mohammad Naushad Emmambux
Department of Consumer and Food Sciences
University of Pretoria
[email protected]

Child malnutrition and diet-related non-communicable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases associated with obesity, are among the wicked problems related to food- and nutrition security. Overconsumption of energy-dense foods characterized by high sugar, refined carbohydrates rich in rapidly digestible starch, and high fat, are causes for diet-related non-communicable diseases. Lack of energy and protein due to food structural properties can contribute to child malnutrition.

The main aim of the inaugural lecture is to discuss the roles of technologies used to modify food biopolymers (starch, protein, and non-starch polysaccharides) for innovation in addressing food- and nutrition security. This innovation is not just about improving nutrition but also more sustainable packaging material. Infrared radiation, microwave radiation, and extrusion are energy-efficient technologies that can change the structure of protein and starch biopolymers to produce low viscosity nutrient-dense complementary porridge for use as baby foods. Infrared heat treatment can reduce starch digestibility to create a lower glycaemic index maize porridge due to an increase in slowly digestible starch and resistant starch. Extrusion cooking is a versatile technology used in food structure design to produce (i) instant nutrient-dense complementary baby  foods from cereal and pulse composites due to reduced viscosity, (ii) high fibre and high protein porridge and foods with better satiety for adults. Manufactured starch nanoparticles and starch microspheres coated with  nanoparticles have good potential as fat replacers to reduce the energy density of foods. Biodegradable  packaging systems based on biopolymers are important sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics. Extrusion can produce compatible starch-protein biomaterial for such packaging.  Multidisciplinary teams can unlock the benefits of structural design of food ingredients, food products, and  biodegradable packaging systems for sustainable food systems, on the continent and abroad. 

 

Please note that this event had initially been scheduled for 30 June 2021 from 18:00 to 19:00 and has been postponed to 7 September 2021 due to COVID-19.
Sincere apologies to all for any inconvenience caused.

Copyright © University of Pretoria 2024. All rights reserved.

COVID-19 Corona Virus South African Resource Portal

To contact the University during the COVID-19 lockdown, please send an email to [email protected]

FAQ's Email Us Virtual Campus Share Cookie Preferences