The research activities of the Research Consortium for Agricultural Product Development are undertaken in three cross-disciplinary programs across the campuses and faculties of the University of Adelaide and also at the University of South Australia, in conjunction with our industry partners.
The Research Consortium focusses on: extraction of high-value products from problematic waste biomass, horticultural crop improvements, production of functional food ingredients to improve welfare, and the training future thought leaders.
RATIONALE
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Fruit & vegetable production critical for food security for a growing population
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Horticultural crops provide essential energy, fibres & nutrients for human health
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Increasing demand for crops tailored for specific end-uses
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Massive global fruit & vegetable market, with growth opportunities for South Australia and globally
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High potential to add value to waste streams of the agricultural industry & low-grade commodities
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Need for novel ’green’ materials to supplant dependence on petroleum
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Healthier food, beverages & nutraceuticals in high demand
The RC-APD integrates three multidisciplinary programs, underpinned with core expertise and capabilities, to combine fundamental and translational research focusing on agricultural waste problems.
RESEARCH
PROGRAM 1:
FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH INTO BIOPOLYMERS AND BIOACTIVES FROM AGRICULTURAL CROPS
Understand plant biomass structure. Identify and characterise the structure of carbohydrates and bioactives from crop waste and elucidate genetic and environmental factors that control their synthesis. New candidate genes can be targeted in breeding/crossing programs to increase yield and to optimise production of beneficial components.
PROGRAM 2:
PROPERTY ASSESSMENT OF STRUCTURAL
CARBOHYDRATES & BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS
Identify valuable molecular structures. Assess the properties of structural carbohydrates and bioactive compounds. Explore the impact of genetic, chemical and enzymatic modifications on bioactivity of key molecules, and characterise their interactions with human receptors. The macro- and supra-molecular architectures of structural components are being determined and used to design novel ‘green’ materials.
PROGRAM 3:
DESIGN, ENGINEER AND EXPLOIT NOVEL PRODUCTS DERIVED FROM AGRICULTURAL CROPS
Product development, scale-up & commercialisation. Develop new, high-value food products and high-performance materials to benefit industrial partners and end-users. Bioactive compounds are combined with structural polymers to develop advanced composites.
A rigorous research program will provide local industries with efficient, scalable and sustainable approaches to increasing profitability whilst reducing production waste.
OUTPUTS & IMPACT
ACADEMIC OUTPUTS
Basic knowledge on structure & properties of crop components
High-impact publications
TRANSLATIONAL OUTPUTS
Intellectual property & patents
Technology transfer
OUTCOMES
Structural components of green composite materials
Nutraceuticals; formulations for cosmetics, functional food & health-promoting products
Commercialisation of new products derived from agriculture
Training future R&D workforce
Job retention & creation
New businesses in SA
