The Junior Research Group “Food Processing and Health” investigates the complex relationship between food processing techniques and their effects on the formation, stability, and transformation of bioactive compounds and nutrients. By utilizing state-of-the-art metabolomics techniques, including LC-MS/MS and LC-TOF-MS-based, 1D-/2D-NMR, as well as bio-response-based discovery methodologies and chemical synthesis, our research explores the chemical transformations that food components undergo during processing and their subsequent effects on absorption and metabolic utilization.
Our investigations further focus on understanding the retention, (bio)transformation, and release of bioactive compounds and their potential effects on human metabolism. Additionally, we evaluate how food-borne high molecular weight constituents influence digestibility and nutrient delivery. Subsequently, the group`s research explores the potential role of processed foods in contributing to metabolic disorders, inflammation, and impact on gut microbiota composition.
By addressing these critical areas, our overarching goal is to contribute to the development of sustainable, health-oriented food systems by improving our understanding of the intricate interactions between food processing, metabolism, and health outcomes.
1. Gigl M, Frank O, Irmer L, Hofmann T. Identification and Quantitation of Reaction Products from Chlorogenic Acid, Caffeic Acid, and Their Thermal Degradation Products with Odor-Active Thiols in Coffee Beverages. J Agric Food Chem. 2022 May 4;70(17):5427-5437. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.2c01378 .
2. Gigl M, Frank O, Gabler A, Koch T, Briesen H, Hofmann T. Key odorant melanoidin interactions in aroma staling of coffee beverages. Food Chem. 2022 Oct 30;392:133291. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.133291.
3. Debong MW, Homm I, Gigl M, Lang R, Hofmann T, Buettner A, Dawid C, Loos HM. Curry-Odorants and Their Metabolites Transfer into Human Milk and Urine. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2024 Apr;68(8):e2300831. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.202300831.
4. Thiele Orberg E, Meedt E, Hiergeist A, Xue J, Heinrich P, Ru J, Ghimire S, Miltiadous O, Lindner S, Tiefgraber M, Göldel S, Eismann T, Schwarz A, Göttert S, Jarosch S, Steiger K, Schulz C, Gigl M, Fischer JC, Janssen KP, Quante M, Heidegger S, Herhaus P, Verbeek M, Ruland J, van den Brink MRM, Weber D, Edinger M, Wolff D, Busch DH, Kleigrewe K, Herr W, Bassermann F, Gessner A, Deng L, Holler E, Poeck H. Bacteria and bacteriophage consortia are associated with protective intestinal metabolites in patients receiving stem cell transplantation. Nat Cancer. 2024 Jan;5(1):187-208. doi: 10.1038/s43018-023-00669-x.
5. Baumert P, Mäntyselkä S, Schönfelder M, Heiber M, Jacobs MJ, Swaminathan A, Minderis P, Dirmontas M, Kleigrewe K, Meng C, Gigl M, Ahmetov II, Venckunas T, Degens H, Ratkevicius A, Hulmi JJ, Wackerhage H. Skeletal muscle hypertrophy rewires glucose metabolism: An experimental investigation and systematic review. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2024 Jun;15(3):989-1002. doi: 10.1002/jcsm.13468.
6. Effinger D, Hirschberger S, Yoncheva P, Schmid A, Heine T, Newels P, Schütz B, Meng C, Gigl M, Kleigrewe K, Holdt LM, Teupser D, Kreth S. A ketogenic diet substantially reshapes the human metabolome. Clin Nutr. 2023 Jul;42(7):1202-1212. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2023.04.027.