The fight against global food fraud. Development and implementation of methods to detect rice fraud across the global supply chain

Project aim:

To develop a range of physio-chemical methods (spectroscopic, mass spectrometric) to detect serious issues of fraud in the global rice supply chain.

Background:

Fraud in the global food supply system is a mounting and serious issue threatening the health and wellbeing of many citizens and destroying honest businesses. As the food system becomes more and more complex and other factors such as climate change cause supply issues food fraud is expected to escalate. Rice is one of the world’s true global commodities with many billions consuming this staple every day. Reports of issues around its adulteration and contamination are causing massive concerns. The Institute for Global Food Security is leading a multi-national project to develop rapid and reliable tests to detect the fraud. These tests will be transferred to centres across Africa, Asia and China as a first phase and to more regions in the longer term.

The project will be supervised by Professor Chris Elliott, Professor Andy Meharg, and Dr Simon Haughey of the Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast.

Research plan:

The PhD student will investigate the direct analysis of rice using a wide range of physiochemical techniques such as handheld molecular spectroscopy (RAMAN, NIR, FT-IR) and ambient mass spectrometry (REIMS, DART, DESI coupled to Qtof). The most promising methods will undergo a rigorous validation process to ensure they are fit for purpose. In addition, where possible the suitability of the methods will be assessed through inter-laboratory studies. Scientists from a range of countries will be trained in the methods to help undertake an international survey to estimate the amount of rice fraud occurring in different regions.

Requirements:

A BSc 2.1 or better in Chemistry, Biological Sciences or a related subject. The applicant will register for a PhD at the School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast. The research in this project will be carried out mainly within the Institute for Global Food Security in Belfast but some foreign travel may be required. The candidate should have some experience in the area of physio-chemical analysis. Knowledge and experience of bioanalytical techniques such as spectroscopy and/or mass spectrometry would be an advantage.

Closing date for applications is 31 March 2018 (or when a suitable candidate is identified).