We are developing novel cell factories to produce compounds such as lipids and carotenoids from side products such as lignocellulose, test microbial oils and protein as components in aquaculture feed, and investigate health effects of food components and microorganisms in fermented food.
Food biotechnology applies biotechnology to the production, processing and manufacture of foodstuffs. Raw materials derived from primary production are converted to food with the help of organisms (in most cases microorganisms) or derivatives of them (such as enzymes or metabolites). Food biotechnology includes the oldest biotechnology processes like food fermentation and brewing. Microorganisms in food fermentations can have positive health effects on consumers. Food biotechnology also uses techniques of modern biotechnology to understand and manipulate metabolic pathways related to the processing quality of food raw materials, manufacture food additives or to introduce novel, up to now not edible raw materials into the food chain, such as lignocellulose. Novel strains used in food biotechnology are analysed using modern analytical techniques including genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics and proteomics. Those –omics technologies are also used to analyse microbial populations for instance in fermented foods or the intestine of consumers of fermented food.
We have long- standing experience in investigating the metabolism of yeasts used in ethanol production and in biopreservation. Biopreservation can also be used as pre-treatment method for lignocellulosic biomass (https://www.slu.se/en/departments/molecular-sciences/research/microfungi/).
A few years ago, we started studying oleaginous yeasts with a main focus on biodiesel production (https://www.slu.se/en/departments/molecular-sciences/research/microfungi/converting-carbohydrates-to-biodiesel/). This approach was now extended to a project (supported by Formas) for generating oil and compounds such as carotenoids and glycolipids as food and feed additives and as high value chemicals. We are also establishing molecular tools for oleaginous species of the Rhodotorula- group.
Contact: Volkmar Passoth (volkmar.passoth@slu.se)
The presentation of this group is under construction. Please have a look at https://www.slu.se/en/departments/molecular-sciences/research/food-and-feed-microbiology/probiotic-bacteria-gastrointestinal-microbiology/
Contact: Stefan Roos (stefan.roos@slu.se)
Our research is about understanding metabolic pathways of different bioactive compounds, including lipids. We work with quality of fish and meat as food in relation to human health (see https://www.slu.se/en/departments/molecular-sciences/research-groups/the-jana-pickova-lab---bioactive-compounds-and-lipids/ and https://www.slu.se/en/departments/molecular-sciences/research/health-effects/ for more information.
Contact: Jana Pickova (jana.pickova@slu.se)
Lapeña D, Kosa G, Hansen LD, Mydland LT, Passoth V, Horn SJ, Eijsink VGH (2020) Production and characterization of yeasts grown on media composed of spruce-derived sugars and protein hydrolysates from chicken by-products. Microbial Cell Factories 19. 19
Berezka K, Semkiv M, Borbuliak M, Blomqvist J, Linder T, Ruchala J, Dmytruk K, Passoth V, Sibirny A (2020). Insertional tagging of the Scheffersomyces stipitis gene HEM25 involved in regulation of glucose and xylose alcoholic fermentation. Cell Biol International in press, doi: 10.1002/cbin.11284
Lapeña D, Olsen PM, Arntzen MØ, Kosa G, Passoth V, Eijsink VGH, Horn SJ (2020). Spruce sugars and poultry hydrolysate as growth medium in repeated fed-batch fermentation processes for production of yeast biomass. Bioproc Biosyst Engin 43, 723-736. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00449-019-02271-x
Forsberg MM, Björkander S, Pang Y, Lundqvist L, Ndi M, Ott M, Buesa Escriba I, Jaeger MC, Roos S, Sverremark- Ekström E (2019) Extracellular membrane vesicles from Lactobacilli dampen IFN-g responses in a monocyte- dependent manner. Scientific Reports 9, 17109. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-53576-6
Lu J, Pickova J, Daniel G, Langton M (2000) The role of key process steps on microstructural organisation of fat globules and lipid profiles in UHT milk processes in a pilot plant unit. Int Dairy J https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idairyj.2020.104741
Nikiforova A, Zamaratskaia G, Pickova J (2000) Fatty acid composition of salted and fermented products from Baikal omul (Coregonus autumnalis migratorius). J Food Sci Technol 57, 595-605