LABORATORY OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY AND FOOD PRESERVATION

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• LABORATORY OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY AND FOOD
  PRESERVATION
• Prof.dr.ir. J. Debevere, Prof.dr.ir. F.
  Devlieghere and Prof.dr.ir. M. Uyttendaele

• The Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Food
  Preservation focuses on gathering knowledge (know
  how but especially know why) on the microbial
  behaviour in food products during
  harvesting/slaughtering, processing, storage,
  distribution and preparation.
• predictive microbiology and microbial analysis
  are considered as two essential areas of the
  research concept.
• mild preservation and decontamination techniques
  are examined to prolong the shelf life and to
  increase the microbial safety
• Quality assurance systems are implemented to
  enhance microbial food safety and quantitative
  data are collected to allow microbial risk
  assessment
• Mechanisms of microbial spoilage of food
  products are studied
• Up-to-date analysis techniques are developed for
  emerging pathogens and their toxins

Microbial spoilage
MICROBIAL ECOLOGY IN FOODS
Preservation methods
Predictive microbiology
Microbial safety aspects
Microbial analysis of foods
Quantitative microbial risk assessment

• RESEARCH TOPICS
• Predictive modelling
• Study of individual cell behaviour
• Biopreservation
• Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) and Active
  Packaging
• Decontamination techniques
• Transmission routes of foodborne pathogens
• Rapid detection methods
• Enterotoxin detection
• Mycotoxin production
• Foodborne viruses
• Quorum Sensing

• SERVICES
• Microbial analysis of food by Beltest
  Accreditated laboratory Nr. 073-T
• Challenge testing
• Shelf life determination
• Specific spoilage organisms identification
• Quality Management coaching
• Minimal processed food RD
• Predictive modelling
• Chemical preservation
• Decontamination technique evaluation

Food types
Fruit vegetables
Ready-to-eat foods
Pasteurized foods
Meat products
Fish fishery products
Dairy products
Acid foods
Dry foods
Laboratory of Food Microbiology and Food
Preservation, University of Gent, Coupure Links
653, B-9000 Gent Tel.[phone], Fax. 32 9
2255510