![Professor Heather Smyth](/sites/default/files/profiles/1893.jpeg)
Overview
Background
Professor Heather Smyth is a flavour chemist and sensory scientist who has been working with premium food and beverage products for more than twenty years. With a background in wine flavour chemistry, her expertise is in understanding consumer enjoyment of foods and beverages in terms of both sensory properties and composition.
Smyth has a special interest in describing and articulating food quality, understanding regional flavours of locally grown Australian produce, and modelling food flavour and textural properties using instrumental measurements. Smyth also specialises in researching how human physiology and psychology can impact sensory perception and therefore food choice.
Availability
- Professor Heather Smyth is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science, University of Adelaide
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Adelaide
Research interests
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Distinctive Australian Foods and Beverages
Australia has the opportunity to be the supplier of premium foods into global markets but needs to go beyond traditional ‘clean and green’ positioning to secure sustainable high value market positions. Across all commodity sectors, there is the opportunity to further develop the Australian advantage through identifying and marketing distinctively Australian food products to receptive target markets, such that they are ‘reassuringly expensive’. Defining unique 'regional flavors' of Australian products is one approach to develop a point-of-difference in premium products. Another obvious way to add distinctiveness is to use ingredients which are sourced from uniquely Australian native plants. Projects that address these challenges and opportunities may broadly include (1) investigations that identify, validate, communicate and generate consumer value from the distinctive characteristics of foods and ingredients sourced from Australian agriculture, and (2) exploring how to develop food and ingredient industries based on the unique composition and characteristics of Australian native plants.
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Next Generation Foods and Beverages
Future foods will contain natural health-promoting components, such as plant phytonutrients (which act as antioxidants) with reduced fat, sugar and salt levels. The challenge for food companies is to develop healthier foods for the future without compromising on sensory properties and consumer enjoyment. In many cases, it is currently not possible to dramatically reduce the level of fat, sugar and salt because of a loss in mouthfeel and flavour as well as structural integrity. Increasingly, food companies are looking for alternative means in which to structure food that allows it to have superior nutritional value whilst having favourable sensory properties. Projects in this area may include (1) exploring new ingredients and processes to identify novel ways of delivering desirable sensory properties in processed and minimally processed products, and (2) investigating human sensory perception, physiology and mouth behaviour, to understand how to deliver equivalent sensory experiences in modified products.
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Understanding Human Sensory Perception
Enjoyment of food is highly dependent on an individual's ability to sense the properties and components of food. The human sensory system is highly complex, with different sense organs simultaneously relaying nerve signals that activate multiple parts of the brain. Sensory perception is further complicated by our behaviour (such as the way we chew) and our physiology (such as our saliva), not to mention psychological, biological and environmental factors. Food companies are keen to understand the interaction between the food product and the consumer such that they can design nutritious foods that meet and exceed customer requirements and expectations. Research in this area may include (1) understanding the interaction of food and beverages with physiological factors such as human saliva, and (2) exploring the natural variation in an ethnically diverse population in terms of sensory acuity, physiology, mouth behaviour and consequently perception.
Research impacts
Professor Smyth works closely with the food and beverage industries to discover what sensory qualities consumers want and supports the design, production and marketing of superior products with increased consumer value. Current projects involve specialty coffee, beer, wine, native plant foods, cocoa, premium beef and seafood, tropical fruits, cereals, dairy products and some processed products and snack foods.
Smyth is also heavily involved in training industry and researchers in the application of flavour chemistry, sensory and consumer evaluation methods.
Works
Search Professor Heather Smyth’s works on UQ eSpace
2007
Conference Publication
Flavour dictates consumer preference for prawn and barramundi
Smyth, H.E., Poole, S., Mayze, J., Kirchhoff, S. and Fuller, S. (2007). Flavour dictates consumer preference for prawn and barramundi. Ridley AquaFeed 2007 Australian Prawn and Barramundi Conference, Brisbane QLD, Australia, 25-26th July, 2007.
2007
Journal Article
Apple scab resistance breeding in Australia
Zeppa, A., Middleton, S., McWaters, A., Bell, G., Forrest, A. and Smyth, H. (2007). Apple scab resistance breeding in Australia. The Compact Fruit Tree, 40 (2), 27-29.
2007
Conference Publication
Genomics approaches to mango varietal improvement
Dietzgen, R. G., Bally, I., Devitt, L. C., Dillon, N., Holton, T. A., Gidley, M., Karan, M., Smyth, H. E., Sunarharum, W. and Wilkinson, A. (2007). Genomics approaches to mango varietal improvement. Amistar Sixth Australian Mango Conference, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 22-25 May 2007. Sydney, NSW, Australia: Horticulture Australia Limited; Australian Mango Industry Association.
2006
Conference Publication
Potential of VIS-NIR spectroscopy to predict perceived ‘muddy’ taint in Australian farmed barramundi
Smyth, H. E., Drasch, P., Cozzolino, D., Fox, G. and Percival, S. (2006). Potential of VIS-NIR spectroscopy to predict perceived ‘muddy’ taint in Australian farmed barramundi. 12th Australian Near Infrared Spectroscopy Conference: NIR a Fruitful Science, Rockhampton, QLD, Australia, 9-10th May 2006.
2006
Conference Publication
Investigating the genetic basis of mango fruit quality
Smyth, H. E., Bally, I., Dillon, N., Holton, T., De Faveri, J. and Dietzgen, R. G. (2006). Investigating the genetic basis of mango fruit quality. Tropical Crop Biotechnology Conference, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 16-19 August 2006.
2006
Journal Article
Exploring the potential of visible-near infrared spectroscopy to predict sensory properties of food
Smyth, Heather, Mayze, John, Exley, Paul, Fox, Glen, Poole, Sue, Drabsch, Paul, Percival, Steve and Cozzolino, Daniel (2006). Exploring the potential of visible-near infrared spectroscopy to predict sensory properties of food. NIR News, 17 (8), 10-11. doi: 10.1255/nirn.935
2006
Conference Publication
Combining mass spectrometry based electronic nose, visible-near infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics to assess the sensory properties of Australian Riesling wines
Cozzolino, Daniel, Smyth, Heather E., Lattey, Kate A., Cynkar, Wies, Janik, Les, Dambergs, Robert G., Francis, I. Leigh and Gishen, Mark (2006). Combining mass spectrometry based electronic nose, visible-near infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics to assess the sensory properties of Australian Riesling wines. 4th Symposium on In Vino Analytica Scientia, Montpellier, France, 7-9 July 2005. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.aca.2005.11.008
2005
Journal Article
Relationship between sensory analysis and near infrared spectroscopy in Australian Riesling and Chardonnay wines
Cozzolino, Daniel, Smyth, Heather E., Lattey, Kate A., Cynkar, Wies, Janik, Les, Dambergs, Robert G., Francis, I. Leigh and Gishen, Mark (2005). Relationship between sensory analysis and near infrared spectroscopy in Australian Riesling and Chardonnay wines. Analytica Chimica Acta, 539 (1-2), 341-348. doi: 10.1016/j.aca.2005.03.019
2005
Journal Article
Stable isotope dilution analysis of wine fermentation products by HS-SPME-GC-MS
Siebert, Tracey E., Smyth, Heather E., Capone, Dimitra L., Neuwohner, Corinna, Pardon, Kevin H., Skouroumounis, George K., Herderich, Markus J., Sefton, Mark A. and Pollnitz, Alan P. (2005). Stable isotope dilution analysis of wine fermentation products by HS-SPME-GC-MS. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 381 (4), 937-947. doi: 10.1007/s00216-004-2992-4
2005
Conference Publication
Usefulness of chemometrics and mass spectrometry-based electronic nose to classify Australian white wines by their varietal origin
Cozzolino, Daniel, Smyth, Heather E., Cynkar, Wies, Dambergs, Robert G. and Gishen, Mark (2005). Usefulness of chemometrics and mass spectrometry-based electronic nose to classify Australian white wines by their varietal origin. 13th International Conference on Flow Injection Analysis (ICFIA 2005), Las Vegas, NV, United States, 24-29 April 2005. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.talanta.2005.08.057
2005
Conference Publication
Identification of key aroma compounds in Australian Riesling and unwooded Chardonnay wines
Smyth, H. E., Cozzolino, D., Herderich, M., Sefton, M. A. and Francis, I. L. (2005). Identification of key aroma compounds in Australian Riesling and unwooded Chardonnay wines. 7th Wartburg Symposium on Flavor Chemistry and Biology, Eisenach, Germany, 21-23 April 2004. Eisenach, Germany: Deutsche Forschungsanstalt fur Lebensmittelchemie.
2003
Journal Article
Feasibility study on the use of visible and near-infrared Spectroscopy together with chemometrics to discriminate between commercial white wines of different varietal origins
Cozzolino, Daniel, Smyth, Heather Eunice and Gishen, Mark (2003). Feasibility study on the use of visible and near-infrared Spectroscopy together with chemometrics to discriminate between commercial white wines of different varietal origins. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 51 (26), 7703-7708. doi: 10.1021/jf034959s
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Heather Smyth is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Perinatal strategies to improve birthweight, growth, and gut health in pre-weaned piglets
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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Doctor Philosophy
Market Insights for Australian Native foods
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Biotransformation of ugly fruits and vegetables into value-added products using novel technologies
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jiahua Shi, Dr Alberto Baldelli
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Doctor Philosophy
Quality of Australian honey from native botanicals using novel harvesting technologies
Principal Advisor
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Doctor Philosophy
Tropical fruit flavour: Identifying key aroma compounds that underpin sensory quality traits
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Craig Hardner
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Doctor Philosophy
Development of novel technologies and processes to improve the quality and uptake of algae-based food
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Raisa Rudge
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Doctor Philosophy
New strategies for improving the texture and acceptance of plant-based foods
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Stokes, Professor Louw Hoffman, Dr Raisa Rudge
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Doctor Philosophy
Influence of structurally different polysaccharides and their interactions with saliva and tannins on mouthfeel in wine
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Esteban Marcellin, Dr Raisa Rudge, Dr Marlize Bekker
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing efficient breeding strategies to improve yield and quality in passionfruit
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bruce Topp, Associate Professor Craig Hardner, Dr Mobashwer Alam
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Doctor Philosophy
Genetics of sensory traits in pineapple
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Daniel Cozzolino, Associate Professor Craig Hardner
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Doctor Philosophy
Wattleseeds for nutritional foods
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Bernadine Flanagan, Professor Mike Gidley
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Doctor Philosophy
Genetics of fruit sensory traits in strawberry
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Daniel Cozzolino, Associate Professor Craig Hardner
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Modification of aroma and flavour in marine algae for future food applications
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mark Turner
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Sensory and physical effects of ingredient modifications in coffee creamers
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Stokes
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
A Systematic Approach to Understand Wine Astringency and Mouthfeel
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Stokes
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Effects of Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Australian Native Plants (Kakadu plum and Davidson plum) on the Safety and Quality of Value-added Meat Products
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Michael Netzel, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa, Professor Louw Hoffman
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Processing routes for enhancing the value chain of Indigenous Australian bunya nuts (Araucaria bidwillii)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Heather Shewan, Professor Jason Stokes
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Influence of saliva-dairy protein interaction on oral processing
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Stokes, Dr Heather Shewan
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Characterising the potential of the green plum (Buchanania obovata) as a native Australian fruit
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Food and human factors contributing to food intake & appetite (satiation and satiety)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Daniel Cozzolino, Professor Mike Gidley
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Identifying natural products for improving shelf life of mayonnaise
Associate Advisor
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Mechanistic insights into the texture/mouthfeel perceptions of model beverages
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Jason Stokes
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Canopy Position Influences on Gene Expression and Coffee Quality
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Agnelo Furtado, Professor Robert Henry
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the bioactive potential of Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) - a native plant of Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Genomic studies of biochemical compounds determining arabica coffee (Coffea arabica L.) quality
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Agnelo Furtado, Professor Robert Henry
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
LENTICEL DISCOLOURATION, UNDER-SKIN BROWNING AND RESIN CANAL DISORDER IN AUSTRALIAN MANGO FRUIT CULTIVARS
Associate Advisor
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Grain quality of Australian wild rice (compared to domesticated rice)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Robert Henry, Dr Agnelo Furtado
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Heather Smyth directly for media enquiries about:
- aroma
- beef
- coffee
- consumer research
- flavour
- food quality
- human senses
- premium food
- sensory science
- smell
- taste
- taste panels
- wine
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