FOOD BIOPOLYMERS

If you are interested

in collaboration or graduate studies, please contact Dr. Lana Zivanovic

at LanaZ@utk.edu or by phone

Food Bioplymers

research group:

RESEARCH INTERESTS OF THE GROUP INCLUDE:

- Characterization and application of biopolymers in food processing and safety

- Characterization and application of polysaccharides recognized as beneficial in human diet

- Utilization of waste material from the food industry for production of value-added products

Currently, research focus is directed toward:

- Antibacterial and antiviral properties of chitosan

- Development of chitosan multifunctional films, fibers, and coatings

- Extraction, characterization, and application chitosan and beta-glucans from fungal sources

- Application of high intensity ultrasound in the food industry and research

- Encapsulation of vitamins for enhanced vitamin stability and improved food quality

Web page created and maintained by: Lana Zivanovic (last updated: 08/30/2009)

Questions and comments, please contact: lanaz@utk.edu

February:
* Check out McLeod demolition! It should be gone in 2 weeks!Go to “Lab Group” and “Other” photos.

January:
* Stephanie joined the group. She is working on chitosan modification to enhance its antioxidative properties.

November:
* Blake and Michael joined the group. Blake will work on chitosan macro-, micro- and nano-particles and Michael on utilization of HIUS for cleaning wood barrels used for wine production.
* New proposals funded by UTIA:
- Extraction and characterization of beta-glucans from fungal sources. Zivanovic S., Golden D
- Green technology for cleaning wood barrels. Young T., Zivanovic S., Taylor A.
- Chitosan as an eco-friendly approach for the control of foodborne viruses. D'Souza D.,Zivanovic S.

October:
* Robert received Mid-South IFT scholarship. Congratulations Robert!

September:
* Dr. Zivanovic visited University of Novi Sad and gave a talk on biodegradable packaging material at "Green technology and green business" conference at University of Novi Sad in Novi Sad, Serbia.

August:
* Eric received Marvin Byer Award from R&DA for Military Food & Packaging Systems. Congratulations Eric!
* Josh started his MS program; he is working on effects of plasticizers and cross-linkers on metal-binding property of chitosan films
* Heidi joined the group - she is working on encapsulation of vitamins in different carbohydrate-based matrices

July:
* Dr. David Williams visited our group and gave seminar titled "Biology and pharmacokinetics of orally administered (1'3)- -glucans"
* A collaborative project funded: An optimization model for packaging Meal-Ready-to-Eat. Sawhney R., Wiley B., Zivanovic S. Defense Logistics Agency, CORANET3.
* Tao accepted position as a lecturer at Nanjing Agricultural University in China. Congratulations Tao!

June:
* Sophie and Ingrid came for 3-months internship; they will work on bioavailability of encapsulated vitamins
* Dr. Zivanovic started her term as a chair for IFT Carbohydrates Division for 2009/10
* Our presentations at the IFT 2009:
o Goan E., Davis R., Li J., Zivanovic S., Mount J., Sams C. 2009. Quality of applesauce as affected by different cultivars of apples and storage conditions. Abstract #153-10.
o Zivanovic S. 2009. Health benefits of fungal cell wall polysaccharides.
o Zivanovic S., Li J. 2009. Development and inclusion of chemical safety in the software.
* Dr. Zivanovic organized IFT symposium "Health benefits of fungal beta-glucans"; invited speakers Dr. David Williams (ETSU) and Dr. Susanna Cunningham-Rhodes (Cornell Univ.)
* Jessie attended Light Scattering workshop at Wyatt Tech., Santa Barbara, CA

May:
* Dr. Zivanovic co-organized and attended NATO ATC "Food Safety and Food Security" in Belgrade, Serbia; gave presentation on "Food Authenticity"
* Robert started with MS program; he will work on effect of chitosan on food-borne viruses

April:
* Jessie elected as a Member-at-Large and Eric as a Student Rep for IFT Vol Section 2009/10
* Jacob received UT CASNR Armistead Award. Congratulations Jacob

February:
* Lana attended Congreso International de Ingenieria Quimica y Alimentos in UDLAP, Puebla, Mexico; her presentation was:
"Ultrasound - a new technology for food processing and research"
* Lana visited Instituto Politecnico Nacional Centro de Desarrollo de Productos Bioticos in Yautepec, Morelos, Mexico and gave presentation "Preparation, characterization, and functionality of chitosan films"

January:
* The most accessed article of the journal in 2008 announced: Desai K., Kit K., Li J., Zivanovic S. 2008. Morphological and surface properties of electrospun chitosan nanofibers. Biomacromolecules. 9(3):1000-1006.