Dr. Gu’s research interests include the chemistry, absorption, and metabolism of food bioactives and how they affect human health. He teaches Food Analysis and Functional Foods. He advises graduate students in both Food Science and Nutrition Science Majors.
2024 SPECIALITY CROP BLOCK GRANT APPLICATION
Facilitate the industrial implementation and scale-up of adsorption debittering
technology for HLB-infected orange and grapefruit juices.
Click Here for more information.
CHEMISTRY AND ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITIES OF PHYTOCHEMICALS IN FOODS
Phytochemicals are plant-derived chemical compounds. “Phytonutrients” refer to phytochemicals or compounds that come from edible plants, such as flavonoids from fruits and vegetables. Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species in humans cause oxidative stress and subsequently increase the risk for cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Phytochemicals function as free radical scavengers and improve the antioxidant capacity in vivo. Dr. Gu’s research explores phytochemicals in fruits, berries, and vegetables, and tests their efficacy in quenching reactive oxygen species. Food storage and processing can alter phytochemical contents and composition and thus impact the nutritional values of many foods. Additional research will also explore new food processing techniques that can effectively preserve, concentrate, or remove phytonutrients.
PHYTOCHEMICAL BIOAVAILABILITY AND EFFICACY IN PREVENTING CHRONIC DISEASES
Upon entering the intestine, phytonutrients are degraded or transformed by intestinal bacteria into metabolites of different structures. The absorbed phytochemicals and their microbial metabolites undergo further metabolism in the human body. Dr. Gu’s research aims to understand absorption and metabolism of phytochemicals and identify factors that can affect bioavailability. Phytochemicals have a potential role to modulate gut microbiome, immune functions, and mood. Additional research will explore the efficacy and mechanisms of phytonutrients to reduce inflammations and improve overall wellbeing.
Liwei Gu, Ph.D.