Award details

Food Microscopy

Reference	BBS/E/F/00042226
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr Mary Parker
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors
Institution	Quadram Institute Bioscience
Department	Quadram Institute Bioscience Department
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	352,992
Status	Completed
Type	Institute Project
Start date	01/04/2005
End date	01/04/2009
Duration	48 months

Abstract

A range of microscopy methods will be used to investigate the role of food structure on the safety and quality of food materials. IFR has shown that certain varieties of apple, of which Fuji is the most important, contain pockets of metabolically active multicellular hairs in intercellular spaces between the parenchyma cells of the outer cortex. These hairs, previously not described, are present before the full expansion of the apple and continue to extend and divide during maturation. Fuji is potentially of high allergenicity, so we will seek to establish whether the hairs are sites of the allergens Mal d 1 and Mal d 3. Fuji is intolerant of elevated CO2 during controlled atmosphere storage and considerable research effort has been expended to identify why this variety browns on storage. We will study whether the groups of hairs contribute to storage effects and the occurrence of bitter pit (one of the most studied forms of apple disease). The problem is not thoroughly understood. We will study possible relationships between cortex hairs and development of proliferating cells in lesions of susceptible varieties. Novel methods developed at IFR for sectioning cereal grains have opened up the study of the relation between structure and function using a variety of microscopic methods. Sections of developing and mature wheat have revealed the presence of an arabinoxylan gel in the endosperm cavity. The nature and function of this material has not previously been described. This material will be investigated further in relation to water distribution within the grain during growth and development and end-use quality of grain. Expertise in light and electron microscopy will be used to develop methods required for other programmes, exploitation platforms and partnerships to used in collaborative studies within IFR, or as preliminary studies in support of external grant applications.

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research Topics	Crop Science, Plant Science
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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