Identification of biological contaminants on select controlled environment

grown crop species and the impact of decontamination on nutritional

quality
The Controlled Environment Laboratory for Life Sciences in conjunction with the Food
Development Services Centre is offering a Research Postgraduate Scholarship to
investigate the Identification of biological contaminants on select controlled
environment grown crop species and the impact of decontamination on nutritional
quality.
Plants grown under enclosed environmental conditions are susceptible to contamination
from a number of biological sources including bacteria, fungi and, depending on the
scale of growth, certain pests. For crops that will ultimately be eaten by consumers,
biological contamination is a serious safety concern. Safety is a much greater concern for
future space cultivation where crop production within enclosed environments will be
essential to nutritionally bolster the diets of astronauts and future colonists. It is therefore
imperative to ensure adequate safety measures are in place to reduce biological
decontamination before consumption. It is also important that the safety procedures
employed do not have an adverse effect on the overall quality of the crops, these include
changes to the overall production, flavour, and/or synthesis of nutritionally beneficial
compounds within the crop. In general, the nutritional quality of a crop is determined by
the presence, and abundance, of specific bioactive constituents within the plant. These
range from a wide variety of compound classes including complex carbohydrates both
structural (fibre) and non-structural (sugars); minerals; vitamins; low molecular weight
secondary metabolites, such as polyphenols; pigments; proteins; and fats. This study will
support LITs research efforts under the Horizon 2020 funded research project entitled
EDEN-ISS. The purpose of the EDEN-ISS project is to develop a Future Exploration
Greenhouse for the development of new plant cultivation technologies for space. Select
salad crops will be grown using aeroponic techniques under specific growth conditions.
In this study each crop species as well as the growth facility will be screened for biological
contamination at various stages of growth. Any biological contamination will be identified,
quantified and food safe decontamination procedures (both pre- and post-harvest)
developed and implemented based on current industry best practices and guidelines.
Crop quality will be monitored throughout the growth and decontamination processes
by taking advantage of FoodDSs organoleptic panellist expertise. The study will provide
insight into the types of biological contamination experienced during enclosed cultivation
at a species specific level and determine optimal safety procedures for decontamination
without reducing overall crop quality.
Scholarship Conditions: Fees and 6,000 stipend per annum (x 2 years)

Requirements of Candidate
Level 8 Honours Degree (with a 2:2 Grade or higher), in an appropriate study field is
essential;
Interest in pursuing postgraduate studies in an area related to biochemistry, food
safety, and/or controlled environment plant production with a strong focus on the
intersection of theory and practice, the student is expected to have interdisciplinary
skills;
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work at a
professional level. Regular high level presentations and detailed reporting will be
required;
Ability to gather process and draw conclusions from various kinds of data;
Capacity to work independently.
Informal research enquiries should be directed to: Dr. Peter Downey, Research Project
Management Officer, Limerick Institute of Technology, Ireland.
Tel.: +353 (0) 61 293509 Email: peter.downey@lit.ie

Application forms to be returned to:

Graduate Studies and Research Office, Limerick Institute of Technology, Moylish,
Limerick
For general process enquiries please contact graduatestudies@lit.ie
Note: Incomplete documentation will be returned to sender