Wir beschäftigen uns mit zahlreichen Themen aus dem Bereich der Lebensmittel- und Naturstoffanalytik. Dazu zählen die Wein-, Fruchtsaft- und Aromaforschung, wobei zur Identifizierung bioaktiver Inhaltsstoffe präparative Trenntechniken (u.a. Gegenstromverteilungschromatographie, engl.: Countercurrent Chromatography) zum Einsatz kommen. Weitere Themen umfassen die Authentizität von Lebensmittel sowie die Nutzung von Nebenströmen der Lebensmittelindustrie zur Gewinnung von Wertstoffen.
We are interested in the modification of proteins during processing and storage of food. The focus is on reactions triggered by reactive oxygen species (ROS), which lead to the oxidation of amino acids. What do these substances tell us about the processing of the food? What effects do the reactions have on the nutritional value of food? Of course, we are also looking at protein oxidation under physiological conditions, which is often mentioned in connection with "molecular aging".
We study chemical reactions of proteins during food processing. We are particularly interested in the Maillard reaction, also called glycation, which describes the non-enzymatic reaction of sugars and amino compounds and contributes to flavor and aroma. Processed foods have been implicated in the development of many diseases, but the causal relationship of food processing and adverse health effects is very debatable. Data on the intake and effects of specific food components is often lacking.