Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

Changes in food quality arising from oxidation of their labile components such as polyunsaturated fatty acids not only affect their nutritive value, but also affect their flavour and sensory qualities. In addition, beneficial antioxidants present in foods are rendered by certain vitamins, minor bioactives such as phenolics/polyphenolics and carotenoids, among others. Furthermore, the effects of these bioactives in health promotion and disease risk reduction are routinely evaluated in in-vitro and in-vivo systems: The monitoring and evaluation of effects/parameters involved often requires analytical determination of components of interest. In almost all of this research, spectrophotometric determinations in the UV-visible range are necessary. While most UV-visible instruments follow the course of events by scanning light gradually through the entire desired wavelength range, diode array detection (DAD) would simultaneously shine light of different wavelength through the sample and hence provides benefits, especially for very sensitive materials. This equipment will be used for daily research, both on-going and planned in different areas of nutraceutical and functional food research, the outcome of which would be of significance for progress of fundamental science and in the applied areas.