Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa

Centre Director, Nutr Food Science

Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences
Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
y.sultanbawa@uq.edu.au
+61 7 336 52145
+61 7 344 32471

Overview

Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa's research is focused within the agribusiness development framework, specifically in the area of food processing, preservation, food safety and nutrition. Her current research includes the minimisation of post harvest losses through value addition and the search for natural preservatives to replace current synthetic chemicals. In addition, her research area also includes the challenge of nutrition security, in particular micronutrient deficiency (hidden hunger), lack of diet diversity and nutritional losses in the food supply chain, which are addressed by her work with underutilized Australian plant species and potential new crops. Her work on Australian native plant foods is focused on incorporation of these plants in mainstream agriculture and diet diversification Working with indigenous communities to develop nutritious and sustainable value added products from native plants for use in the food, feed, cosmetic and health care industries is a key strategy. The creation of employment, economic and social benefits to these remote communities is an anticipated outcome. She considers it a privilege to engage with these communities and is very passionate that her work will have a positive socio-economic impact.

Research Focus

  • Functional ingredients (natural additives)

Functional food/feed/nutraceutical ingredients with enhanced nutritional and phytochemical profiles are obtained from specialty crops (Australian native plant foods) and industry co/by-products. Natural additives are obtained from raw materials of vegetable, fruit, herbs/spices or microbiological origin. An example is plant extracts which can provide e.g. antioxidants, shelf-life extension (natural antimicrobials), trace-nutrients (vitamins/ minerals) and novel flavours. Innovative technology solutions

  • Novel packaging systems

Development of active, biodegradable packaging material with natural additives for shelf life extension, smart packaging with nanosensors for the effective detection of food contaminants, microperforated packaging systems with optimised modified atmospheres for fresh foods and high barrier packaging material for herbs and spices are practical objectives of her research. Engineered nano-delivery systems for plant bioactives Develop nano-platforms for targeted delivery and controlled release of plant bioactives including antioxidant and antimicrobial products, through testing of in vitro activities and shelf life under various conditions.

  • Photodynamic treatment

Photodynamic treatment or photosensitization is a novel light and photo dye based approach which offers promising alternatives to conventional methods for the control of microorganisms. Plant bioactives such as curcumin has been successfully used to control mycrotoxigenic fungi. This technology has potential as a decontamination tool to reduce the microbial load in food and feed.

  • Food safety

Her research focus in this field includes intervention strategies to inhibit and prevent food-borne pathogens and spoilage organisms in fresh food and beverages, elucidating mechanisms of antimicrobial action, shelf-life extension with natural antimicrobials, retaining bioactivity during processing and storage, search for natural inhibitors from Australian native plants, use of bioactive honey from Leptospermum polygalifolium (Jelly bush) in treating microbial wound infections.

Qualifications

  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of British Columbia
  • Masters (Coursework) of Science, University of Reading

Publications

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Grants

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Supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

  • Doctor Philosophy

  • Doctor Philosophy

View all Supervision

Publications

Book

Book Chapter

  • Fyfe, Selina, Schirra, Horst Joachim, Rychlik, Michael, Smyth, Heather E. and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2022). Australian Green Plum ( Buchanania obovata ). Handbook of Phytonutrients in Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables. (pp. 219-227) GB: CABI. doi: 10.1079/9781789248067.0014

  • Thi Phan, Anh Dao, Sivakumar, Dharini, Cozzolino, Daniel, Netzel, Michael E. and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2022). Gumby Gumby (Pittosporum angustifolium). Handbook of Phytonutrients in Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables. (pp. 11-26) London, United Kingdom: CABI. doi: 10.1079/9781789248067.0002

  • Akter, Saleha, Thi Phan, Anh Dao, Netzel, Michael and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2022). Kakadu Plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana). Handbook of Phytonutrients in Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables. (pp. 189-203) London, United Kingdom: CABI. doi: 10.1079/9781789248067.0012

  • Seididamyeh, Maral, Thi Phan, Anh Dao, Netzel, Michael E. and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2022). Lillypilly/Riberry (Syzygium spp.). Handbook of Phytonutrients in Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables. (pp. 204-218) London, United Kingdom: CABI. doi: 10.1079/9781789248067.0013

  • Netzel, Gabriele, Wright, Olivia, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Netzel, Michael E. (2022). Red Bush Apple ( Syzygium suborbiculare ). Handbook of Phytonutrients in Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables. (pp. 228-237) GB: CABI. doi: 10.1079/9781789248067.0015

  • Srivarathan, Sukirtha, Thi Phan, Anh Dao, Wright, Olivia, Cozzolino, Daniel, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Netzel, Michael E. (2022). Saltbush (Atriplex sp.). Handbook of Phytonutrients in Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables. (pp. 1-10) London, United Kingdom: CABI. doi: 10.1079/9781789248067.0001

  • Nguenha, Rafael, Seidi Damyeh, Maral, Phan, Anh D. T., Hong, Hung T., Chaliha, Mridusmita, O’Hare, Tim J., Netzel, Michael E. and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2022). Effect of photosensitization mediated by curcumin on carotenoid and aflatoxin content in different maize varieties. Antimicrobial substances in plants: discovery of new compounds, properties, food and agriculture applications, and sustainable recovery. (pp. 47-65) edited by Daniela Gwiazdowska, Krzysztof Ju´s and Katarzyna Marchwi´ nska. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. doi: 10.3390/books978-3-0365-4426-7

  • Wright, Olivia R. L., Phan, Anh Dao Thi, Hong, Hung Trieu, Netzel, Gabriele, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Netzel, Michael E. (2020). Bioactive anthocyanins in selected fruits – a foodomics approach. Reference module in food science. (pp. 1-28) Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-08-100596-5.22785-6

  • Fyfe, Selina, Chaliha, Mridusmita, Netzel, Michael E. and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2020). Ethnic foodomics: metabolomics studies of ethnic foods. Reference module in food science. (pp. 1-13) Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-08-100596-5.22794-7

  • Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2016). Anise Myrtle (Syzygium anisatum) Oils. Essential Oils in Food Preservation, Flavor and Safety. (pp. 215-218) edited by Victor R. Preedy. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-416641-7.00023-7

  • Williams, David J., Chaliha, Mridusmita and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2016). Australian native plants: anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory properties. Australian native plants: cultivation and uses in the health and food industries. (pp. 237-249) edited by Yasmina Sultanbawa and Fazal Sultanbawa. Boca Raton, Florida, United States: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/b20635-18

  • Sultanbawa,Yasmina (2016). Essential Oils in Food Applications: Australian Aspects. Essential Oils in Food Preservation, Flavor and Safety. (pp. 155-159) edited by Victor R. Preedy. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-416641-7.00016-X

  • Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2016). Food preservation and the antimicrobial activity of Australian native plants. Australian native plants: cultivation and uses in the health and food industries. (pp. 251-263) edited by Yasmina Sultanbawa and Fazal Sultanbawa. Boca Raton, FL, United States: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/b20635-19

  • Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2016). Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) Oils. Essential Oils in Food Preservation, Flavor and Safety. (pp. 517-520) edited by Victor R. Preedy. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-416641-7.00059-6

  • Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2016). Processing of native plant foods and ingredients. Australian native plants: cultivation and uses in the health and food industries. (pp. 295-307) edited by Yasmina Sultanbawa and Fazal Sultanbawa. Boca Raton, FL United States: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/b20635-22

  • Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2016). Tasmanian Pepper Leaf (Tasmannia lanceolata) Oils. Essential Oils in Food Preservation, Flavor and Safety. (pp. 819-823) edited by Victor R. Preedy. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-416641-7.00093-6

  • Smyth, Heather and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2016). Unique flavours from Australian native plants. Australian native plants: cultivation and uses in the health and food industries. (pp. 265-274) edited by Yasmina Sultanbawa and Fazal Sultanbawa. Boca Raton, FL, United States: CRC Press/Taylor & Francis Group. doi: 10.1201/b20635-20

  • Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2015). Plant extracts as natural antimicrobials in food preservation. Microbial food safety and preservation techniques. (pp. 373-382) edited by V. Ravishankar Rai and Jamuna A. Bai. Boca Raton, FL, United States: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/b17465

  • Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2014). Leptospermum (Manuka) honey: accepted natural medicine. Honey in traditional and modern medicine. (pp. 113-124) edited by Laïd Boukraâ. Boca Raton, FL, United States: CRC Press. doi: 10.1201/b15608-7

  • Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2011). Plant antimicrobials in food applications: Minireview. Science against microbial pathogens: Communicating current research and technological advances. (pp. 1084-1093) edited by A. Méndez-Vilas. Badajoz, Spain: Formatex Research Center.

Journal Article

Conference Publication

Edited Outputs

Other Outputs

Grants (Administered at UQ)

PhD and MPhil Supervision

Current Supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor

    Other advisors:

  • Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor

    Other advisors:

  • Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

    Other advisors:

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

    Other advisors:

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy — Associate Advisor

    Other advisors:

Completed Supervision