Gentle processes for fresh products from harvest to consumption - to ensure healthy nutrition for both humans and animals
The programme area 'Healthy Foods' addresses complex scientific issues in the spectrum between primary production and processing of food and feed.
'Healthy foods', which are produced fairly taking into account environmental and animal welfare, include hitherto underutilized plant species such as legumes and pseudocereals, as well as alternative bioresources, e.g. land-cultivated macroalgae and insects.
Our research aims to minimize post-harvest losses, improve product quality and simultaneously increase resource and process efficiency embedded in the context of a circular bioeconomy. To this end, we develop innovative interdisciplinary approaches along the entire value chain and integrate side streams into bioeconomic process chains.
Following the concept of 'Quality by Design' in the optimization and development of sensors and control systems, we first analyze the respective system requirements and design the process based on this. The development of tailored physical, physicochemical and/or biological processes considers important ingredients and product properties as well as desirable or avoidable microbial systems. We also analyze environmental impacts in production and post-harvest, especially with regard to water, wastewater, energy, by-products and residues.
For our research, we have access to laboratory areas with high-end specialized equipment, including the freshness lab and microbiology laboratory.
Product properties and in-situ sensing
For the in-situ monitoring of the quality in perishable food products along the value chain, we develop sensor-based methods that allow us to analyze product properties non-destructively and to record process variables. In the field and post-harvest, we use methods including hyperspectral imaging, chlorophyll fluorescence spectroscopy, laser-induced multispectral backscatter analysis and Raman spectroscopy. The product information obtained is used in agronomic models as well as for the development of digital twins.
Dynamics of microbial communities
We develop methods for early and specific detection of microbial contamination in postharvest fresh produce. In this regard, we pursue both cultivation-dependent and cultivation-independent approaches based on the analysis of microbial DNA sequences. The characterization of microbial communities and their dynamics along the process chains from substrate to product will contribute to the application of methods for the targeted inactivation of pathogens or also for the promotion of desirable microorganisms.
Thermal and non-thermal processes for preservation and hygienization
The focus is on efficient, product-friendly solutions for the preservation of food and feed - from their fundamentals to their industrial implementation. We are investigating product-process interactions in drying as a fundamental thermal process in the preparation of bulk materials such as grain. Using apples as an example, we further develop the combination of process models with measured ingredient-specific reaction kinetics.
In the area of non-thermal treatment processes for sanitization, such as hydrostatic high pressure and low-temperature plasma, we are further expanding our expertise through upscaling and transfer to industrial applications. A newly established laboratory platform enables basic, large-scale experiments with pathogens in model processing chains.
Packaging and storage systems
We investigate the interactions between environmental conditions and product quality during cooling, storage and transportation of fresh food. We develop technologies for a tailored packaging or storage regime along the supply chain to reduce post-harvest food losses. In particular, our goal is to better understand the mechanisms of water vapor and condensation dynamics in packaged fresh produce and, on this basis, to develop optimized packaging in a moisture-regulating design, increasingly from bio-based materials such as cellulose or polylactic acid (PLA).
To the team of the programme area
Research projects
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Safe, sufficient, and nutritious food is required to maintain an active and healthy life. However, small-holder farmers in a majority of rural areas still endure food insecurity and malnourishment despite owning the reso…
Start:
End:
01.04.2024
31.03.2027
Funding authority:
Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft (BMEL)
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The aim of the present project is the development of a new innovative catalyst generation and a process for the biocide-free industrial production of mung bean sprouts, which leads to energy savings in the production of …
Start:
End:
01.11.2023
31.10.2025
Funding authority:
Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz
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Food loss and waste (FLW) is a global challenge recognised by international governments and organisations. Reducing FLW is key to sustainably ensure nutritional food security for an increasing world population. It is a t…
Start:
End:
21.09.2023
20.09.2027
Funding authority:
Europäische Union (EU)
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The fresh produce trade offers a wide range of apples all year round. For this purpose, apples are stored at temperatures between 0 °C and + 4 °C, at high relative humidity > 95 %, in machine-cooled rooms for up to 10 mo…
Start:
End:
01.09.2023
31.08.2026
Funding authority:
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
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The aim of this research is to develop a model-based electronic gas control system/device for storing and transporting fresh produce under modified O2 and CO2 atmospheres. The development of such an intelligent box will …
Start:
End:
01.11.2022
31.10.2025
Funding authority:
Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)
More projects within the programme area
Publications of the programme area
- Malounas, I.; Vierbergen, W.; Kutluk, S.; Zude-Sasse, M.; Yang, K.; Zhao, M.; Argyropoulos, D.; Van Beek, J.; Ampe, E.; Fountas, S. (2024): SpectroFood dataset: A comprehensive fruit and vegetable hyperspectral meta-dataset for dry matter estimation. Data in Brief. (February): p. 110040. Online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2024.110040 1.0
- Büchele, F.; Hivare, K.; Khera, K.; Thewes, F.; Argenta, L.; Hoffmann, T.; Mahajan, P.; Prange, R.; Pareek, S.; Neuwald, D. (2024): Novel Energy-Saving Strategies in Apple Storage: A Review. Sustainability. (3): p. 1052. Online: https://doi.org/10.3390/su16031052 1.0
- Rossi, S.; Gottardi, D.; Barbiroli, A.; Di Nunzio, M.; Siroli, L.; Braschi, G.; Schlüter, O.; Patrignani, F.; Lanciotti, R. (2024): Effect of Combined High-Pressure Homogenization and Biotechnological Processes on Chitin, Protein, and Antioxidant Activity of Cricket Powder-Based Ingredients. Foods. (3): p. 449. Online: https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13030449 1.0
- Razola-Díaz, M.; Sevenich, R.; Rossi Ribeiro, L.; Guerra-Hernández, E.; Schlüter, O.; Verardo, V. (2024): Combined effect of pulse electric field and probe ultrasound technologies for obtaining phenolic compounds from orange by-product. LWT-Food Science and Technology. : p. 115950. Online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lwt.2024.115950 1.0
- Guru, P.; Kumar, V.; Saha, D.; Kalnar, Y.; Nancy, M.; Singla, A. (2024): Phototactic response of angoumois grain moth Sitotroga cerealella (olivier) to visible spectrum: Attraction analysis and modelling using machine learning. Journal of Stored Products Research. (May 2024): p. 102295. Online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2024.102295 1.0
- Psarianos, M.; Fricke, A.; Altuntas, H.; Baldermann, S.; Schreiner, M.; Schlüter, O. (2024): Potential of house crickets Acheta domesticus L. (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) as a novel food source for integration in a co-cultivation system. Future Foods. (June 2024): p. 100332. Online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fufo.2024.100332 1.0
- Mollazade, K.; Hashim, N.; Zude-Sasse, M. (2023): Towards a multispectral imaging system for spatial mapping of chemical composition in fresh-cut pineapple (Ananas comosus). Foods. (7): p. 3243. Online: https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12173243 1.0
- Hoffmann, T.; Mahajan, P.; Praeger, U.; Geyer, M.; Sturm, B.; Linke, M. (2023): Small Peltier element to detect real-time heat flux between apple and environment during postharvest storage. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture. (October 2023): p. 108247. Online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2023.108247 1.0
- Ojha, S.; Rossi, G.; Pathak, N.; Durek, J.; Mahajan, P.; Schlüter, O. (2023): Microbial Growth and Physicochemical Quality Changes During Modified Atmosphere Storage of High Hydrostatic Pressure Processed Tenebrio molitor Paste. Food and Bioprocess Technology. : p. 1-12. Online: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11947-023-03235-6 1.0
- Meinert, C.; Bertoli, S.; Rebezov, M.; Zhakupbekova, S.; Maizhanova, A.; Spanova, A.; Bakhtybekkyzy, S.; Nurlanova, S.; Shariati, M.; Hoffmann, T.; Krebs de Souza, C. (2023): Food safety and food security through predictive microbiology tools: a short review. Potravinarstvo Slovak Journal of Food Sciences. : p. 324-342. Online: https://doi.org/10.5219/1854 1.0
More publications of the programme area