Developing innovative marker systems for garlic post-harvest quality assessment
Lead Research Organisation:
Cardiff University
Department Name: School of Biosciences
Abstract
Garlic (Allium sativum) is a valued culinary ingredient and its medicinal properties also have a long history. However the product is seasonal and to ensure a constant supply, bulbs need to be sourced globally and stored for periods of up to 6 months. Loss of quality post-harvest is an important factor in reducing net crop productivity and contributes to waste production.
Project Aims:
1.To develop a quality assessment tool for garlic bulbs post-harvest based on volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
2.To improve our understanding of how different storage conditions affect physiological and biochemical processes in different garlic varieties by exploiting recent developments in transcriptome sequencing
The student will be based in the Molecular Biosciences (MB) and Organisms and Environment (OnE) research divisions within the School of Biosciences and fully integrated into the excellent research culture and interdisciplinary training environment provided by both groups and the School. They will also gain a first-hand understanding of the business environment through placements at Neem (based in Cardiff). The project will provide an excellent training in analytical techniques such as GC-MS and HPLC, training in molecular tools such as transcriptomic analysis, and an excellent background in plant physiology and biochemistry.
Project Aims:
1.To develop a quality assessment tool for garlic bulbs post-harvest based on volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
2.To improve our understanding of how different storage conditions affect physiological and biochemical processes in different garlic varieties by exploiting recent developments in transcriptome sequencing
The student will be based in the Molecular Biosciences (MB) and Organisms and Environment (OnE) research divisions within the School of Biosciences and fully integrated into the excellent research culture and interdisciplinary training environment provided by both groups and the School. They will also gain a first-hand understanding of the business environment through placements at Neem (based in Cardiff). The project will provide an excellent training in analytical techniques such as GC-MS and HPLC, training in molecular tools such as transcriptomic analysis, and an excellent background in plant physiology and biochemistry.
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BB/M014967/1 | 01/10/2015 | 30/09/2019 | |||
| 1640641 | Studentship | BB/M014967/1 | 01/10/2015 | 30/09/2019 |
| Description | The aim of the project is to develop quality markers based on aroma of stored garlic as assessed by analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A number of organosulphur VOCs have been putatively identified from stored garlic. Some of these compounds have not previously been reported in scientific literature to our knowledge. Quality of garlic has been assessed over a time course at different storage temperatures, and correlated with garlic extract quality (alliinase enzyme activity) of interest to the industrial sponsor. The resulting change in alliinase activity and traditional quality parameters such as disease incidence, moisture loss and sprouting have been measured. VOCs have been identified which significantly correlate with storage time, temperature and alliinase activity. This provides the basis for a potential molecular marker system for the quality assessment of garlic for both the biotech and culinary industries. |
| Exploitation Route | VOCs could be used to perform quality control of garlic for both biochemical and culinary purposes, with markers focused on either alliinase activity or associated with storage time and temperature. This could lead to a better quality product for the end user, with the potential to save time, costs and wastage in the supply chain. |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Description | My research project aim to develop a marker system for assessing quality of stored garlic. This has the potential to reduce waste and improve quality of garlic extracts. The work is funded by an industrial sponsor (Neem Biotech) who will take the results forward into their industrial processes. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2017 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
| Impact Types | Societal,Economic |
| Description | Dyffryn Gardens Fascination of Plants Day |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Our lab spent the day at a national trust property called Dyffryn Gardens to showcase plant science to the general public, as part of the Fascination of Plants Day. We showcased a number of laboratory techniques and explained to people of all ages how science can benefit food production and contribute to a more sustainable future. Topics covered included plant volatile biochemistry, genetic modification and plant anatomy. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |