Novel approaches to cassava value additionMPhil/PhD Scholarship University of Greenwich -Natural Resources Institute (Ref: VCS-NRI-01-13)

Roots and tubers contribute significantly to food security in developing countries. Their role in promoting digestive health is now receiving growing attention and there is also a demand to add value by increased utilisation of by-products. Certain tropical roots and tubers have been found to contain prebiotic compounds but level-influencing factors need investigation. Processing methods to increase resistant starch (RS) and exopolysaccharide (EPS) production during fermentation are also areas for study that may lead to the possibility of producing novel, beneficial foods or ingredients.

This PhD research will investigate the prebiotic potential of cassava by-products. Application of food processing techniques to by-products will also be assessed for the ability to enhance RS levels, and EPS production will be investigated for its prebiotic potential. The work will be multidisciplinary, including aspects of food chemistry/processing and microbiology and will require good laboratory skills. The PhD will tie in with EU-funded projects led by NRI (Gratitude and Cassava G Market) that have components on the development of products from cassava by-products.

For further information please contact the supervisor: Dr Corinne Rumney ([Email Address Removed]) Tel: 01634883926 or Dr Aurélie Bechoff ([Email Address Removed]) Tel: 01634883071
For additional information about the studentship and links to the application form please go to: http://www2.gre.ac.uk/research/study/studentships

The application form should be completed and returned to: [Email Address Removed] and include: a comprehensive CV and a one page covering letter explaining your interest in the project and how it relates to past experience and present motivations. Attachments should be in PDF or Word format.

The closing date for applications is 12.00 UTC on Tuesday 11 June 2013

Application form
http://www2.gre.ac.uk/research/study/apply/application_process
Phd topic
http://www2.gre.ac.uk/research/study/studentships/natural-resources-institute-nri
http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/AGM426/mphil-phd-scholarship