Guest researcher Elliot Gilbert reflects on food, health and getting ready for ESS
During the summer, Professor Elliot Gilbert, Leader of Food Materials Science, and instrument scientist at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, spent time at LINXS as part of the institute’s guest researcher programme. He was invited by the Northern Lights on Food theme.
Professor Elliot Gilbert is Leader of Food Materials Science, and instrument scientist at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.
In the context of the theme, his expertise lies in the application of advanced characterization techniques including neutrons and X-ray scattering for studying food materials, as well as the development of specialized sample environments. In the field of starch, he has made significant contributions to the structural analyses of different types of starches, and how these structures are affected by food processing.
– What is happening within the theme is really exciting. The approach is similar to how we at ANSTO developed a community around using large scale infrastructures to gain new knowledge on food materials more than 15 years ago.
– I am particularly impressed with the network that has already been established and the significant number of industrial partners that are involved. This is enormously encouraging.
Communicating the value of using large scale infrastructure
It’s still a huge challenge, according to Elliot Gilbert, to communicate and demonstrate the value of using large scale infrastructure to industry researchers, even though neutron and X-ray techniques can play a crucial role in the development of new products and processes, especially in terms of designing alternative protein sources that can feed a growing population, while also reducing the negative climate impacts of food production. Foods that can improve human health are also greatly needed. Once such example are starch products that are less digestible, enabling gut friendly bacteria to be supported in the large intestine. These bacteria have been shown to produce chemicals that cause cell death in colon cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer death.
He emphasises that initiatives such as the Northern Lights on Food theme can play a significant part in enabling the huge leaps that society needs to transform how we produce and consume food.
– An important goal, as I see it, not just for the theme and LINXS, but for all of us that work with large scale research infrastructures, is to highlight the difference they can make. Their role is to provide knowledge and guidance on the interplay between structure, function and processing - results that can then be used by the food industry, and other researchers, to innovate.
Getting ready for ESS needs to be a priority
Reflecting further, he adds that it is paramount that the theme, and the broader neutron community, in parallel with communicating with the food industry, also focuses on getting ready to make use of ESS at the earliest opportunity. ESS is set to become fully operational by 2027.
– You are entering a very unique time here in the South of Sweden, where you have both access the MAX IV synchrotron, and soon one of the world’s most intense neutron sources.
– At ANSTO, we are happy to help in the development of your local neutron community in how to get the best out of these new facilities. As the only nuclear facility with a dedicated programme in food materials, we can offer a range of support including advice to potential users, consultations with stakeholders, as well as actual neutron experiments and specialized sample environments.
Elliot Gilbert is looking forward to following the theme and the broader community’s progression over the next couple of years:
– I had a very a rewarding stay at LINXS, both personally and professionally. I can see many areas where we at ANSTO can actively engage and numerous opportunities for greater collaboration within food science in the future.
Read about Elliot Gilbert at Ansto’s website
About Northern Lights on Food
The Northern Lights on Food (NLF) theme aims to bring together expertise in food science and technology together with experts in characterization methods using neutrons and X-rays in order to generate new knowledge and cutting-edge technology within food science. This has the potential to advance food science by taking full advantage of the research tools provided by ESS and MAX IV.