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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The overall objective of F4F2 is to create the conditions for an all-encompassing resilient society that ensures a sustainable supply of sufficient and healthy food through innovative solutions in the agrifood sector. Th…
Start:
End:
01.10.2024
30.09.2025
Funding authority:
Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)
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The main objective of the NOVISHPAK project is to develop innovative biodegradable, antimicrobial and intelligent packaging films and edible coatings based on polysaccharides from seaweed, which are used to extend the sh…
Start:
End:
01.07.2024
30.06.2027
Funding authority:
Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)
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The ProtinA project is using crickets as an alternative source of protein to evaluate the potential of processing and treatment technologies, taking into account the nutritional value of selected foods. To this end, a pr…
Start:
End:
01.07.2024
30.06.2027
Funding authority:
Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft (BMEL)
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The Partnership for Sustainable Food Systems - SFS - aims for the transformation of national, EU and global food systems, making them safe, sustainable, healthy, resilient and trusted - for everyone and within planetary …
Start:
End:
01.06.2024
30.05.2034
Funding authority:
Europäische Union (EU)
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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)
More projects within the programme area
Publications of the programme area
- Kefale, B.; Delele, M.; Fanta, S.; Abate, S. (2025): Effect of packaging materials and storage temperature on the shelf stability of Awaze paste. Frontiers in Nutrition. : p. 1503328. Online: https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1503328 1.0
- Munyendo, L.; Schuster, K.; Armbruster, W.; Babor, M.; Njoroge, D.; Zhang, Y.; von Wrochem, A.; Schaum, A.; Hitzmann, B. (2025): Monitoring a Coffee Roasting Process Based on Near-Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy Coupled With Chemometrics. Journal of Chemometrics. (1): p. 1-14. Online: https://doi.org/10.1002/cem.3638 1.0
- Razola-Díaz, M.; Sevenich, R.; Schlüter, O.; Verardo, V.; Gómez-Caravaca, A. (2025): Improving Olive Leaf Phenolic Extraction with Pulsed Electric Field Technology Pre-Treatment. Foods. (3): p. 368. Online: https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14030368 1.0
- Psarianos, M.; Aghababaei, F.; Schlüter, O. (2025): Bioactive compounds in edible insects: Aspects of cultivation, processing and nutrition. Food Research International. (February 2025): p. 115802. Online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2025.115802 1.0
- Bisconsin-Junior, A.; Rossi, G.; Tchewonpi Sagu, S.; Rawel, H.; Mariutti, L.; Schlüter, O. (2025): Non-thermal technologies modify protein structure and enhance functional properties of cricket protein concentrate. Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies. (March 2025): p. 103945. Online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ifset.2025.103945 1.0
- Daba, H.; Delele, M.; Fanta, S.; Habtu, N.; Abera, M. (2025): Inhibition of Aspergillus flavus sporulation and aflatoxin production in stored maize using powdered leaf of botanicals. Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection. : p. 1-16. Online: https://doi.org/10.1080/03235408.2025.2466241 1.0
- Chikpah, S.; Korese, J.; Sturm, B.; Hensel, O. (2025): Evaluation of nutrients, antioxidants and sensory characteristics of optimized wheat-orange-fleshed sweet potato and pumpkin composite bread and storage stability in three packaging materials. Discover Food. (Volume 5, article number 36): p. 0. Online: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s44187-025-00307-8 1.0
- Sonawane, A.; Hoffmann, T.; Jedermann, R.; Linke, M.; Mahajan, P. (2025): Investigating apple surface condensation and mass loss with IoT and predictive modelling. Postharvest Biology and Technology. (July 2025): p. 113520. Online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2025.113520 1.0
- Tiguh, E.; Delele, M.; Ali, A.; Gelaw, G.; Fanta, S.; Bayable, M. (2025): Development and performance evaluation of greenhouse solar dryer for unthreshed Teff crops. Results in Engineering. (March 2025): p. 104495. Online: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.104495 1.0
- Guru, P.; Saha, D.; Kalnar, Y.; Sharma, M.; Zalpouri, R.; Kumar, V.; Shettigar, N. (2025): Predicting phototaxis of almond moth, Cadra cautella (Walker) using ANN models: insights for wavelength and intensity as key factors. Pest Management Science. : p. 1-11. Online: https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.8787 1.0
More publications of the programme area