Next-generation technology for determining fitness-for-use of starches in cereal grains. The project will deliver a new methodology to characterize starch-containing materials such as grains. This will provide the first tools to readily measure the full size distribution of starch in industry laboratories, giving far more information than is currently accessible. The data will be extremely sensitive to structural characteristics associated with desirable end-use properties. The new process will ....Next-generation technology for determining fitness-for-use of starches in cereal grains. The project will deliver a new methodology to characterize starch-containing materials such as grains. This will provide the first tools to readily measure the full size distribution of starch in industry laboratories, giving far more information than is currently accessible. The data will be extremely sensitive to structural characteristics associated with desirable end-use properties. The new process will enable conventional instrumentation methodology to be re-engineered to better select starch-containing materials. This will enable superior targeting and processing of materials for improved products in human nutrition, animal feed and manufactured goods such as biodegradable plastics.Read moreRead less
Modelling soft filled viscoelastic solids. Wheat flour doughs are made in vast quantities daily, and improvements in processing, especially in sheeting (rolling) and extrusion are needed. To enable this we will create a novel mathematical description of the material which will be useful for predicting the shapes of processed products. Wheat breeding cycles can be shortened by using the model rheological parameters, since baking quality is closely linked to dough rheology. A number of Australian ....Modelling soft filled viscoelastic solids. Wheat flour doughs are made in vast quantities daily, and improvements in processing, especially in sheeting (rolling) and extrusion are needed. To enable this we will create a novel mathematical description of the material which will be useful for predicting the shapes of processed products. Wheat breeding cycles can be shortened by using the model rheological parameters, since baking quality is closely linked to dough rheology. A number of Australian wheats will be considered and their rheologies will be compared.Read moreRead less
Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Granular Flow in Hoppers. Handling and processing of bulk solids such as coal and metal ores perform a key function in many industries, and hoppers are the most common devices for storage and discharge of granular materials in this field. The proper design of this equipment is very important. This project provides a systematic investigation of granular flow in hoppers, which is essential in order to avoid structure failures and associated costs. It wil ....Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Granular Flow in Hoppers. Handling and processing of bulk solids such as coal and metal ores perform a key function in many industries, and hoppers are the most common devices for storage and discharge of granular materials in this field. The proper design of this equipment is very important. This project provides a systematic investigation of granular flow in hoppers, which is essential in order to avoid structure failures and associated costs. It will lead to a fundamental understanding of relevant industrial processes, improvement of their efficiency, and hence improved competitiveness of Australian mining/mineral/metallurgical industries.Read moreRead less
Dissecting The Host X Diet X Microbiota Interactions Supporting Sustainable Weight Loss In Obesity
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$252,305.00
Summary
There is increasing evidence that the gut microbiome plays an important part in predisposing to obesity. This project seeks to identify whether such an obesogenic microbiota may also influence our ability to maintain weight loss after a period of caloric restriction. Further, we investigate whether dietary fibre can be used to reshape gut microbial population structure and function so as to support sustained weight loss on return to a normal dietary regimen using an obesogenic rat model.
The Alternate Day Fasting Diet In Adolescents With Obesity: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,007,545.00
Summary
One in four Australian adolescents is overweight or obese. While short-term weight loss is possible, keeping the weight off long term is difficult. We will test whether the alternate day fasting diet is effective, safe and acceptable to adolescents. We will undertake a trial involving adolescents aged 13-17 years who are affected by obesity: they will be randomised to receive either the alternate day fasting diet, or a standard weight control diet.
Obesity In The Elderly: Impact Of Weight Loss Therapy On Physiology And Function.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$613,213.00
Summary
The aim of this study is to assess the safety, tolerability, weight-loss efficacy, change in lean body mass and impact of cognition of three approaches to treat obesity in the elderly. We will compare dietary advice, an energy reduced diet and a very low calorie diet. All three groups will also have an exercise program. This study will be of major assistance in developing management guidelines for obesity in the elderly, which will likely be an emerging public health issue.
Establishing the relations between starch nano- and mesostructure and macroscopic physical properties. Starch is the major energy component within human diets, and the most abundant polymer that can be readily extracted from annual crop plants, leading to many actual and potential industrial applications. There are major opportunities to optimise the nutritional value of starches in the human diet, and to enhance the properties of extracted starches as renewable alternatives to petrochemical pol ....Establishing the relations between starch nano- and mesostructure and macroscopic physical properties. Starch is the major energy component within human diets, and the most abundant polymer that can be readily extracted from annual crop plants, leading to many actual and potential industrial applications. There are major opportunities to optimise the nutritional value of starches in the human diet, and to enhance the properties of extracted starches as renewable alternatives to petrochemical polymers. This project will open up our understanding of the structure of starch polymers and show how this relates to important properties such as enzyme digestibility rates, leading to new opportunities for public health and commercial benefits.Read moreRead less
Optimising Benefits And Minimising Potential Harms Of Obesity Treatments
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$707,370.00
Summary
This work aims to find safe and more effective obesity treatments for the over 2.1 billion people worldwide with overweight or obesity. Severely energy restricted diets are currently the most effective dietary obesity treatment, but these are underutilized due to concerns about potential harms. This work will investigate using severe diets intermittently rather than continuously, as a means of enhancing their benefits of long-term weight/fat loss while also reducing potential harmful effects.