Research
The basis for our research is the use of state-of-the-art analytical mass spectrometric methods to determine quality and quality changes of plant-based food along the supply chain from farmers to consumers.
SolKubiM - Solebasierte Kultivierungssysteme für binnenländische Makro- und Mikroalgen
(brine-based systems for inland macro and microalgae cultivation)
The project aims to establish an innovative, brine-operated aquaculture facility for the land-based production of high-quality algae biomass at the thermal spa site in Bad Saarow, Germany. By integrating algae cultivation systems into the brine cycle, using naturally occurring and thermally treated deep brine, the project introduces a novel, energy-efficient, and sustainable approach to industrial algae production inland, enabling the development of diverse downstream applications (e.g. cosmetics, food, feed) with potential economic benefits for rural areas.
Within this project, we contribute as an analytical facility specializing in GC-MS and LC-MS techniques. Our role is to conduct comprehensive metabolic profiling of the produced algae, with particular focus on sulfated sugars, volatile organic compounds and antioxidants, in order to assess their quality and functional potential.
Project partners and detailed descriptions can be found here.
food4future (since 2019)
Food4future combines various key technologies to establish new production systems. Leading the research field organisms, the focus of our group is the cultivation and of marine macrophytes and the characterisation and optimisation of nutritional profiles. ...read more
PermAFog (2019 – 2024)- Development of novel and sustainable permanent antifog additive masterbatches for polyolefin foils in greenhouse applications
Within the project we investigate the effects of the use of conventional antifogging and the newly developed films on crops cultivated below. The focus is on understanding changes in nutritionally valuable compounds such as carotenoids and phenolic compounds.
Protein quantity and quality in (new) foods (since 2023)
The aim of the interdisciplinary project, funded by the Manfred Roth Stiftung, is to compare proteins from conventional and alternative protein-containing foods. Together with Prof. Janin Henkel-Oberländer (Chair of Nutritional Biochemistry) we will determine protein quantity and quality. Jun.-Prof. Tina Bartelmeß (Nutritional Sociology) will examine facets of consumer acceptance and consumption. Furthermore, legal aspects in the context of novel foods will be studied by Prof. Kai Purnhagen (Chair of Food Law). Prof. Christian Fikar (Chair of Food Supply Chain Management) conducts analysis related to quality management and the circular economy. At the end of the project we hope to have identified and characterized alternative high quality protein sources and to contribute with our project to the transformation of food systems.Within this project, we contribute as an analytical facility specializing in GC-MS and LC-MS techniques. Our role is to conduct comprehensive metabolic profiling of the produced algae, with particular focus on sulfated sugars, volatile organic compounds and antioxidants, in order to assess their quality and functional potential.
Fresh and aromatic – Does vertical farming keep its promise? (since 2022)
Together with Prof. Laura König (Public Health Nutrition, University of Bayreuth, now: Health Psychology, University of Vienna), we received funding from the Simon-Nüssel-Stiftung to test the correspondence between consumer perception and chemical components of conventially grown herbs and herbs grown in vertical farming.
EMINA (2020 – 2022) – Qualitative and quantitative detection of nanoplastics in plants and their influence on quality
In the EMINA project, the uptake, distribution, accumulation and also the effect of micro- and nanoplastics in plants metabolomics was investigated. ...read more
CarCauli (2018 – 2022) – Identification and regulation of carotenoid metabolism in colored cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. ssp. botrytis) cultivars grown under different environmental conditions
The aim of the project was to investigate the carotenoid metabolism in differently pigmented cauliflower cultivars under changing climatic conditions. ...read more
NutriAct (2018 – 2022) – Nutritional Intervention for Healthy Aging: Food Patterns, Behavior and Products
Within the NutriAct cluster in the scientific project E – New Products. Unprocessed vegetable and herbal (micro)plants with well-defined concentrations and composition of primary and secondary metabolites will be generated as newly designed and modified products for the particular needs and preferences of elderly consumer. ...read more