Food Science Research

Purdue Food Science faculty conduct research in four major areas within the food science discipline 1.) food chemistry, structure and function, 2.) foods for health 3.) food safety and microbiology, and 4.) food processing and technology development. Some faculty conduct research in several of these signature research areas as listed in our Research Overview Ha​ndout​ (PDF)

To learn more about each of our faculty, check out our food science faculty research interests (PDF) and  list of faculty with their area of expertise and contact information (PDF)

Keep reading to learn a bit more detail about each of our signature research areas and some examples of the current research projects in those areas. You can click on each faculty member's name to link to his/her web directory profile page which includes his/her contact information, graduate student and post-doc lab members, select awards and publications.

Food Chemistry, Structure, and Function

Identifies and creates new aspects of composition, structure, and other functional properties of whole foods and food constituents using chemistry, biochemistry, and material sciences to improve the quality, nutrition, affordability, stability, and sustainability of food and food-related products.

Examples of current research:

• Manipulation of starch digestion rate for low glycemic response/slow digestion
• Dietary fiber, modifications in functionality and fermentability, microbiota changes
• Applying a polymer- and interface-based understanding of the proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids in food
• Investigate the application of affordable, healthy, and eco-friendly resources (e.g. insects) to develop alternative protein sources.
• Investigate ingredient architecture, water-solid interactions amorphization, and crystallization.
• Investigating water-solid interactions that impact the physical and chemical stability of powdered food ingredients
• Use of scanning probe microscopy to development of bioanalytical devices for food science

Faculty:

Dr. Bruce Hamaker
Dr. Owen Jones
Dr. Andrea Liceaga
Dr. Lisa Mauer
Dr. Suzanne Nielsen
Dr. Lavanya Reddivari
Dr. Brad Reuhs
Dr. Yuan Yao

Foods for Health

Applies food and biological science principles to the study of whole foods, macro- and micro-nutrients, and bioactive components as a means to improve consumer health and identifies mechanisms by which these effects arise (such as the molecular interactions of food components in biological systems and the role of the gut microbiome).

Examples of current research:

Dr. Bruce Hamaker
Dr. Kee-Hong Kim
Dr. Andrea Liceaga
Dr. Stephen Lindemann
Dr. Lisa Mauer
Dr. Eun Joong Oh
Dr. Lavanya Reddivari 
Dr. Fernanda San Martin

Food Safety and Microbiology

Studies pathogenic, beneficial (probiotic and fermentative), and spoilage microbes and their interaction with food and the host, and develops novel inactivation and detection methods for pathogens.

Examples of current research:

• Connections between the behavior of gut microbes and our metabolism and immunity
• Influence of diet on resistance to foodborne pathogens
• Studying mechanism of the intestinal phase of infection for foodborne pathogens
• Probiotics in preventing infectious disease and improving gut health
• Development of novel detection and diagnostic tool for pathogens and toxins
• Investigating bacteriophage and molecular methods for pathogen detection
• Determine the routes pathogenic bacteria use to contaminate fruits and vegetables
• Exploring social implications for food safety in the home and commercial setting
• Developing better protocols and people management strategies to improve food safety and quality.
• Build food safety systems in developing economies to reduce foodborne disease globally

Faculty:

Dr. Bruce Applegate
Dr. Arun Bhunia
Dr. Amanda Deering
Dr. Yaohua "Betty" Feng​
Dr. Haley Oliver  USAID Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Safety 
Dr. Yuan Yao

Food Processing and Technology Development 

Integrates engineering, chemistry, nanotechnology, environmental sciences, and microbiology through food processing operations to produce safe, nutritious, sustainable, and value-added products.

Examples of current research:

• Assessment of environmental sustainability of agri-food systems
• Green cleaning and fouling mitigation in food processing
• Developing non-thermal processing technologies for foods
• Seeking ways to further automate food processing
• Application of computational modeling and simulations of food processing operations
• Overcoming barriers to commercialization of food processing technologies
• Studying rheological characterization of biopolymers and processing application of nanofluids
• Nanotechnology approaches to improve the physical and chemical properties of food
• Nanotechnology approaches to the delivery of antimicrobial compounds for food safety
• Testing processing technologies for biomass conversion to food, fuels, and chemicals
• Improving and sustaining grape and wine quality in a changing climate

Faculty:

Dr. Christian Butzke - Lab Website
Dr. Carlos Corvalan
Dr. Jen-Yi Huang​
Dr. Jozef Kokini
Dr. Lisa Mauer
Dr. Dharmendra Mishra​ - Lab Website
Dr. Fernanda San Martin
Dr. Qin Xu
Dr. Yuan Yao

Research and Outreach Centers

Center for Food Safety Engineering

The mission is to develop new knowledge, technologies, and systems for detection and prevention of chemical and microbial contamination of food.

Whistler Center for Carbohydrate Research

In partnership with member companies, the center's r​esearch focuses on fundamental investigations of structure-function relationships of carbohydrates and other biopolymers as related to practical uses.
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Government Research Cooperative Agreements

The sustainable production of safe, nutritious food — and ensuring reliable access for consumers — is essential to advancing developing nations. Powered by collaborations between Purdue University and Cornell University researchers, the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Food Safety aims to enhance global agricultural sustainability and resilience, as well as food security. Our applied research leverages collective expertise in food safety, food production, nutrition and international development.

Enhancing food and nutrition security and market values in Africa.

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