Professor Heather Smyth
Professor

Heather Smyth

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 344 32469

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

Analytical chemistry Chemical Sciences Engineering Food chemistry and food sensory science Food sciences

Qualifications

  • Bachelor of Science, University of Adelaide
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Adelaide

Research interests

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

Search Professor Heather Smyth’s works on UQ eSpace

212 works between 2003 and 2024
All (212) Journal Article (96) Book Chapter (4) Conference Publication (110) Book (1) Other Outputs (1)

41 - 60 of 212 works

2022

Journal Article

Future flavours from the past: sensory and nutritional profiles of green plum (Buchanania obovata), red bush apple (Syzygium suborbiculare) and wild peach (Terminalia carpentariae) from East Arnhem Land, Australia

Fyfe, Selina, Schirra, Horst Joachim, Rychlik, Michael, van Doorn, Annemarie, Tinngi, Ujang, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Smyth, Heather E (2022). Future flavours from the past: sensory and nutritional profiles of green plum (Buchanania obovata), red bush apple (Syzygium suborbiculare) and wild peach (Terminalia carpentariae) from East Arnhem Land, Australia. Future Foods, 5 100136, 100136. doi: 10.1016/j.fufo.2022.100136

Future flavours from the past: sensory and nutritional profiles of green plum (Buchanania obovata), red bush apple (Syzygium suborbiculare) and wild peach (Terminalia carpentariae) from East Arnhem Land, Australia

2022

Journal Article

Oral physiology, sensory acuity, product experience and personality traits impact consumers’ ability to detect particles in yoghurt

Olarte Mantilla, Sandra M., Shewan, Heather M., Shingleton, Rebecca, Hort, Joanne, Stokes, Jason R. and Smyth, Heather E. (2022). Oral physiology, sensory acuity, product experience and personality traits impact consumers’ ability to detect particles in yoghurt. Food Quality and Preference, 96 104391, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.foodqual.2021.104391

Oral physiology, sensory acuity, product experience and personality traits impact consumers’ ability to detect particles in yoghurt

2022

Journal Article

Predicting satiety from the analysis of human saliva using mid-infrared spectroscopy combined with chemometrics

Ni, Dongdong, Smyth, Heather E., Gidley, Michael J. and Cozzolino, Daniel (2022). Predicting satiety from the analysis of human saliva using mid-infrared spectroscopy combined with chemometrics. Foods, 11 (5) 711, 711. doi: 10.3390/foods11050711

Predicting satiety from the analysis of human saliva using mid-infrared spectroscopy combined with chemometrics

2022

Conference Publication

Sensory effects of difference emulsifiers and vegetable oils in model food emulsions

Ngo, Jasmine, Stokes, Jason R. and Smyth, Heather E. (2022). Sensory effects of difference emulsifiers and vegetable oils in model food emulsions. NZOZ Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium, Online, 15-17 February 2022.

Sensory effects of difference emulsifiers and vegetable oils in model food emulsions

2022

Journal Article

Starch molecular structural features and volatile compounds affecting the sensory properties of polished Australian wild rice

Zhao, Yingting, Smyth, Heather E., Tao, Keyu, Henry, Robert J. and Gilbert, Robert G. (2022). Starch molecular structural features and volatile compounds affecting the sensory properties of polished Australian wild rice. Foods, 11 (4) 511, 511. doi: 10.3390/foods11040511

Starch molecular structural features and volatile compounds affecting the sensory properties of polished Australian wild rice

2022

Conference Publication

Saliva interprets oral sensory physiology, oral processing behavior, and human satiety

Ni, Dongdong, Smyth, Heather, Cozzolino, Daniel and Gidley, Mike (2022). Saliva interprets oral sensory physiology, oral processing behavior, and human satiety. 16th Australia and New Zealand Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium , Brisbane, QLD Australia, 5-7 February 2022.

Saliva interprets oral sensory physiology, oral processing behavior, and human satiety

2022

Conference Publication

Tribological properties of different emulsifiers in model food emulsions

Ngo, Jasmine, Stokes, Jason R. and Smyth, Heather E. (2022). Tribological properties of different emulsifiers in model food emulsions. Australasian Colloid and Interface Society Student Conference, Online, 31 January - 2 February 2022.

Tribological properties of different emulsifiers in model food emulsions

2022

Journal Article

The Framework for Responsible Research With Australian Native Plant Foods: A Food Chemist's Perspective

Fyfe, Selina, Smyth, Heather E., Schirra, Horst Joachim, Rychlik, Michael and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2022). The Framework for Responsible Research With Australian Native Plant Foods: A Food Chemist's Perspective. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8 738627, 738627. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2021.738627

The Framework for Responsible Research With Australian Native Plant Foods: A Food Chemist's Perspective

2022

Conference Publication

Sensory characteristics of Australian bunya nuts

Nadolny, Jaqueline Moura, Smyth, Heather Eunice, Best, Odette, Hassall, Emma, Olarte Mantilla, Sandra, Stokes, Jason and Shewan, Heather (2022). Sensory characteristics of Australian bunya nuts. 16th Australian and New Zealand Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 15-17 February 2022.

Sensory characteristics of Australian bunya nuts

2022

Conference Publication

Plant-protein meat analogues: do they pass the taste test?

Smyth, Heather Eunice (2022). Plant-protein meat analogues: do they pass the taste test?. FoodTech Qld Conference, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 7-8 July 2022.

Plant-protein meat analogues: do they pass the taste test?

2022

Conference Publication

Starch molecular structural features and volatile compounds affecting the sensory properties of polished Australian wild rice

Zhao, Yingting, Smyth, Heather Eunice, Tao, Keyu, Henry, Robert J. and Gilbert, Robert G. (2022). Starch molecular structural features and volatile compounds affecting the sensory properties of polished Australian wild rice. 16th Australian and New Zealand Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 15-17 February 2022.

Starch molecular structural features and volatile compounds affecting the sensory properties of polished Australian wild rice

2022

Conference Publication

User perspectives of Australian Native Foods

Wijngaarden, Clare, Adhikari, Kamalesh and Smyth, Heather Eunice (2022). User perspectives of Australian Native Foods. 16th Australian and New Zealand Senslory and Consumer Science Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 15-17 February 2022.

User perspectives of Australian Native Foods

2022

Conference Publication

Processing of green seaweed (Ulva sp.) protein biomass to enhance consumer acceptance

Urlass, Saskia , Yates, Abbey , Dong, Anran , Olukomaiya, Oladapo Oluwaseye , Winberg, Pia , Sultanbawa, Yasmina , Turner, Mark and Smyth, Heather (2022). Processing of green seaweed (Ulva sp.) protein biomass to enhance consumer acceptance. TROPAG International Agriculture Conference 2022, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 31 October-2 November 2022.

Processing of green seaweed (Ulva sp.) protein biomass to enhance consumer acceptance

2022

Journal Article

A preliminary study on the utilisation of near infrared spectroscopy to predict age and in vivo human metabolism

Ni, Dongdong, Smyth, Heather E., Gidley, Michael J. and Cozzolino, Daniel (2022). A preliminary study on the utilisation of near infrared spectroscopy to predict age and in vivo human metabolism. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 265 120312, 120312. doi: 10.1016/j.saa.2021.120312

A preliminary study on the utilisation of near infrared spectroscopy to predict age and in vivo human metabolism

2022

Conference Publication

The Australian flavour story for Wagyu Beef

Smyth, Heather Eunice (2022). The Australian flavour story for Wagyu Beef. WagyuEdge, Melbourne, QLD, Australia, 26 April - 1 May 2022.

The Australian flavour story for Wagyu Beef

2022

Conference Publication

Establishing a value proposition for bunya nuts as a versatile gluten-free flour

Moura Nadolny, Jaqueline, Shewan, Heather M., Stokes, Jason R., Best, Odette and Smyth, Heather E. (2022). Establishing a value proposition for bunya nuts as a versatile gluten-free flour. TropAg 2022, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 31 October - 2 November 2022.

Establishing a value proposition for bunya nuts as a versatile gluten-free flour

2022

Conference Publication

Oral physiology, sensory acuity, product experience and personality traits impact consumers' ability to detect particles in yoghurt

Olarte Mantilla, Sandra M. and Smyth, Heather Eunice (2022). Oral physiology, sensory acuity, product experience and personality traits impact consumers' ability to detect particles in yoghurt. 17th Australian and New Zealand Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 15-17 February 2022.

Oral physiology, sensory acuity, product experience and personality traits impact consumers' ability to detect particles in yoghurt

2022

Conference Publication

Saliva interprets oral sensory physiology, oral processing behaviour, and human satiety

Ni, Dongdong, Cozzolino, Daniel, Gidley, Mike and Smyth, Heather (2022). Saliva interprets oral sensory physiology, oral processing behaviour, and human satiety. 16th Australian and New Zealand Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 15-17 February 2022.

Saliva interprets oral sensory physiology, oral processing behaviour, and human satiety

2022

Conference Publication

Inside out and upside down : Looking closer at Australian native wattleseeds for food applications

Jacob, Sera Susan, Smyth, Heather E., Flanagan, Bernadine M., Williams, Barbara A. and Gidley, Michael J. (2022). Inside out and upside down : Looking closer at Australian native wattleseeds for food applications. TropAg, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 31 October-2 November 2022.

Inside out and upside down : Looking closer at Australian native wattleseeds for food applications

2022

Conference Publication

Fruit quality: Do we know what consumers want?

Smyth, Heather Eunice (2022). Fruit quality: Do we know what consumers want?. TropAg International Agriculture Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 31 October - 2 November.

Fruit quality: Do we know what consumers want?

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2029
    ARC Training Centre in Predictive Breeding for Agricultural Futures
    ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2028
    National Passionfruit Breeding and Evaluation Program
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Genetics of Fruit Sensory Preferences (HIA project administered by DAF)
    Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Plant based foods: Towards sustainable and acceptable meat analogues
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2026
    Genetics of Fruit Sensory Preferences
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2024
    ARC Training Centre for Uniquely Australian Foods
    ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023
    Reduced enteric emissions of Grainfed Wagyu Cattle through feeding of red Asparagopsis for 300 days - Sensory Evaluation (AACo administered MLA grant)
    A. A. COMPANY PTY. LTD.
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Measurement of pH in high intramuscular fat samples and existing technology validation
    Meat & Livestock Australia
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Emulsion gels and sensory perception
    Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    Plant-based meat analogues
    Motif FoodWorks
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2023
    National Papaya Breeding and Evaluation Program (Hort Innovation Grant administered by Griffith University)
    Griffith University
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Improving the efficiency of Kakadu Plum value chains to grow a robust and sustainable industry
    CRC for Developing Northern Australia
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    A situational analysis for developing a Rice industry in Northern Australia
    CRC for Developing Northern Australia
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Advanced Nanoparticle, Colloid and Microparticle Characterisation and Precision Engineering Nanosystems Facility
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Dietary manipulation of pork fatty acid profiles to develop an Australian pork flavour signature relevant to Chinese consumers
    Australian Pork
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2020
    Food structure design
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Value added bakery products using native plants as functional ingredients
    Innovation Connections
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2021
    Naturally Nutritious
    Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Australian native foods as natural additives to improve quality and shelf life of frozen meals
    Research Connections
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2017
    Understanding Coffee Quality
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2018
    Agents of change: Transforming the food industry for Australia, Asia and beyond
    ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centres
    Open grant
  • 2013
    Chemical methods to underpin an understanding of coffee quality
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2017
    Use of plant derived compounds to condition piglet intake at weaning and reduce post-weaning use of therapeutics
    CRC for High Integrity Australian Pork
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Tactical Research Fund: Developing a dynamic regional brand - focus on flavour
    Fisheries Research & Development Corporation
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2013
    Prevention of muddy taints in farmed barramundi
    Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Heather Smyth is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

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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