During her PhD, Signe Hjerrild Nissen studied the green seaweed Ulva with focus on extracting the protein for food application. She investigated different pretreatments of Ulva, extraction of the protein in laboratory and pilot-scale, biochemical changes and quality of the protein concentrates produced, e.g. protein digestibility in a rat study. Protein concentrates were further stored for a period to evaluate the oxidative stability.

This research provides an insight into the potential of Ulva as a protein source, where nutritional aspects are promising. Additional improvements and research are necessary to enable food applications.

The PhD study was completed at Department of Food Science, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University.

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Friday, 14 February 2024 at 13:00
Place: Room 5910-214, Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Agro Food Park 48, 8200 Aarhus N
Title of PhD thesis: Protein from Ulva – investigating extraction, quality and stability
Contact information: Signe Hjerrild Nissen, e-mail: nissen@food.au.dk, tel.: +45 60183877
Members of the assessment committee:
Senior Research Officer Maria Hayes, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ireland
Associate Professor Timothy John Hobley, National Food Institute, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark
Professor Lotte Bach Larsen (chair), Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Denmark
Main supervisor:
Professor Trine Kastrup Dalsgaard, Department of Food Science, Aarhus University, Denmark
Co-supervisors:
Senior Researcher Annette Bruhn, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Denmark
Associate Professor Lene Stødkilde, Department of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark
Associate Professor Morten Ambye-Jensen, Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Aarhus University, Denmark
Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defense is public.
The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Technical Sciences/GSTS, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C.