Overview
Background
Michael is passionate about plant-based foods, with a particular focus on their nutritional composition, quality, bioactivity, digestibility, and potential for promoting healthy diets. He has served as a Chief Investigator on several flagship initiatives, including the ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Uniquely Australian Foods, the CRC for Developing Northern Australia, and the HIA-funded Naturally Nutritious project. His research emphasizes the importance of understanding both in vitro bioaccessibility—how compounds are released from the food matrix and become available for intestinal absorption—and the more complex in vivo bioavailability and metabolism, including microbial degradation in the gut. These processes are critical for predicting the bioactivity and potential health benefits of dietary phytochemicals in humans.
Availability
- Dr Michael Netzel is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Justus Liebig University Giessen
Research interests
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Phytochemicals and Health
My primary research interests focus on phytochemicals—specifically polyphenols (both bound and free), carotenoids, and betalains—as well as vitamins. I investigate their analysis, binding characteristics within the plant (food) matrix, and structural modifications or degradation during processing and digestion. This includes studying their bioaccessibility, bioavailability, and metabolism, essentially tracing the journey “from raw produce to absorbed and metabolised bioactive compounds.”
Works
Search Professor Michael Netzel’s works on UQ eSpace
2018
Conference Publication
Cytotoxicity of Terminalia ferdinandiana extracts in intestinal and hepatic cancer cell lines
Akter, S., Addepalli, R., Netzel, M.E., Tinggi, U., Fletcher, M.T., Sultanbawa, Y. and Osborne, S.A. (2018). Cytotoxicity of Terminalia ferdinandiana extracts in intestinal and hepatic cancer cell lines. 10th International Symposium of Poisonous Plants (ISOPP10), St George, Utah, United States, 16-20 September 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Cytotoxicity of Terminalia ferdinandiana extracts in intestinal and hepatic cancer cell lines
Akter, Saleha, Addepalli, Rama, Netzel, Michael E., Tinggi, Ujang, Fletcher, Mary T., Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Osborne, Simone A. (2018). Cytotoxicity of Terminalia ferdinandiana extracts in intestinal and hepatic cancer cell lines. 10th International Symposium on Poisonous Plants (ISOPP), St George, Utah, United States, 16-20 September 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
B12 - Physicochemical characteristics of commercial strawberry cultivars grown in Australia
Sarwar, Shammy, Netzel, Michael E., Meredy, Ram, Trieu, Hung H., Netzel, Gabriele and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2018). B12 - Physicochemical characteristics of commercial strawberry cultivars grown in Australia. 3rd Queensland Annual Chemistry Symposium QACS 2018, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 23 November 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Comparison of bioactive phytochemical compositions, antioxidant capacity and glucose release inhibitory effects of white sorghums and several important grains
Fox, Glen, Phan, Anh D., Netzel, Michael and Plant, Robert (2018). Comparison of bioactive phytochemical compositions, antioxidant capacity and glucose release inhibitory effects of white sorghums and several important grains. Sorghum in the 21st Century, Cape Town, South Africa, 09-12 April 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
B16 - The effect of physiological maturity and different cooking methods on anthocyanin accumulation in purple sweetcorn kernels
Hong, Trieu, Netzel, Michael E. and O'Hare, Tim J. (2018). B16 - The effect of physiological maturity and different cooking methods on anthocyanin accumulation in purple sweetcorn kernels. 3rd Queensland Annual Chemistry Symposium QACS 2018, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 23 November 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
University-to-University Partnership: UQ & TU Munich - Exploring the nutritional value of plant food
Netzel, Michael (2018). University-to-University Partnership: UQ & TU Munich - Exploring the nutritional value of plant food. Australian-German Science & Innovation Day, QUT, Gardens Point Campus, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 02 October 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Ellagic acid-rich extracts of Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit and seeds, improve cell viability in vitro compared to ellagic acid alone
Akter, Saleha, Addepalli, Rama, Netzel, Michael E., Tinggi, Ujang, Fletcher, Mary T., Osborne, Simone A. and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2018). Ellagic acid-rich extracts of Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit and seeds, improve cell viability in vitro compared to ellagic acid alone. 26th Annual RACI R & D Topics Conference 2018, Canberra, ACT, Australia, 2-5 December 2018.
2017
Edited Outputs
Proceedings ‘Food, the Environment & Public Health’
Michael E. Netzel ed. (2017). Proceedings ‘Food, the Environment & Public Health’. Seminar of the Nutrition Society of Australia (NSA) Brisbane Local Group, Health & Food Sciences Precinct (HFSP), Coopers Plains, 11 December 2017.
2017
Journal Article
Gene expression profiling of astaxanthin and fatty acid pathways in Haematococcus pluvialis in response to different LED lighting conditions
Ma, Ruijuan, Thomas-Hall, Skye R., Chua, Elvis T., Alsenani, Faisal, Eltanahy, Eladl, Netzel, Michael E., Netzel, Gabriele, Lu, Yinghua and Schenk, Peer M. (2017). Gene expression profiling of astaxanthin and fatty acid pathways in Haematococcus pluvialis in response to different LED lighting conditions. Bioresource Technology, 250, 591-602. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.11.094
2017
Journal Article
High folate strawberry – tasty and healthy?
Netzel, Michael E., O'Hare, Tim, Striegel, Lisa and Rychlik, Michael (2017). High folate strawberry – tasty and healthy?. SimplyRed (48), 12-12.
2017
Journal Article
Anthocyanin-rich plum juice reduces ambulatory blood pressure but not acute cognitive function in younger and older adults: a pilot crossover dose-timing study
Igwe, E. O., Charlton, K. E., Roodenrys, S., Kent, K., Fanning, K. and Netzel, M. E. (2017). Anthocyanin-rich plum juice reduces ambulatory blood pressure but not acute cognitive function in younger and older adults: a pilot crossover dose-timing study. Nutrition Research, 47, 28-43. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2017.08.006
2017
Journal Article
Indospicine cytotoxicity and transport in human cell lines
Sultan, Saira, Osborne, Simone, Addepalli, Rama, Netzel, Gabriele, Netzel, Michael and Fletcher, Mary T. (2017). Indospicine cytotoxicity and transport in human cell lines. Food Chemistry, 267, 119-123. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.08.029
2017
Conference Publication
A Biorefinery of Nannochloropsis for the Sustainable Production of Eicosapentaenoic Acid and High-Value Protein Supplements
Chua, E., Eltanahy, E., Dal'Molin, C., Netzel, M., Netzel, G., Thomas-Hall, S. and Schenk, P. (2017). A Biorefinery of Nannochloropsis for the Sustainable Production of Eicosapentaenoic Acid and High-Value Protein Supplements. TropAg2017, International Tropical Agriculture Conference, Brisbane, Qld, Australia, 20-22 November 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Assessing important polyphenols and organo-sulfur compounds in selected varieties of Australian grown onions using Orbitrap LC-ESI-MS analysis
Phan, Anh Dao Thi, Netzel, Gabriele, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Netzel, Michael E. (2017). Assessing important polyphenols and organo-sulfur compounds in selected varieties of Australian grown onions using Orbitrap LC-ESI-MS analysis. 2nd Queensland Annual Chemistry Symposium QACS 2017, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 27 November 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Buchanania obovata: An Australian Indigenous food for diet diversification
Fyfe, S., Netzel, M., Tinggi, U., Biehl, E. and Sultanbawa, Y. (2017). Buchanania obovata: An Australian Indigenous food for diet diversification. TropAg2017, International Tropical Agriculture Conference, Brisbane, Qld, Australa, 20-22 November 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Phytochemical Characteristics and Bioactive Properties of Australian Garlic Cultivars
Phan, A. D. T., Netzel, G., Chhim, P., Netzel, M. E. and Sultanbawa, Y. (2017). Phytochemical Characteristics and Bioactive Properties of Australian Garlic Cultivars. TropAg2017, International Tropical Agriculture Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 20-22 November 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Queen Garnet plum – a successful case study for biofortification
Netzel, Michael (2017). Queen Garnet plum – a successful case study for biofortification. UQ/TUM Bioeconomy Symposium “The impact of biotechnology on the economy of the future”, Brisbane QLD, Australia, 4-6 October 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Functional Powder from Australian-Grown White, Yellow, and Red Onion Tissues
Chhim, P., Phan, A. D. T., Netzel, G., Netzel, M. E. and Sultanbawa, Y. (2017). Functional Powder from Australian-Grown White, Yellow, and Red Onion Tissues. TropAg2017, International Tropical Agriculture Conference, Brisbane, Qld, Australia, 20-22 November 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Identification and quantification of dietary anthocyanins and metabolites in human urine
Netzel, Michael E., Wright, Olivia and Netzel, Gabriele (2017). Identification and quantification of dietary anthocyanins and metabolites in human urine. 2nd Queensland Annual Chemistry Symposium QACS 2017, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 27 November 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Identification of purple anthocyanin pigments from purple sweetcorn using LC-PDA-MS/MS
Hong, H. T., Netzel, M. E., Netzel, G., Giles, C. and O'Hare, T. J. (2017). Identification of purple anthocyanin pigments from purple sweetcorn using LC-PDA-MS/MS. 2nd Queensland Mass Spectrometry Symposium, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 2-3 November 2017.
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Michael Netzel is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Exploring and understanding the nutritional quality and functional properties of wild harvested Australian grown elderberries (native elderberries)
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Olivia Wright, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigating the nutritional and bioactive properties of native Australian Citrus species
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Natasha Hungerford, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
-
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the Nutritional and Functional Quality of Australian Indigenous Yam
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Femi Akinsanmi, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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Doctor Philosophy
Morphological, physicochemical, phytochemical, nutritional, and bioactivities of different Persoonia fruits
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dharini Sivakumar, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the Nutritional quality and Food Functionality of Salt Bush (Atriplex semibaccata) - an Australian Indigenous Edible Halophyte
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dharini Sivakumar, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
-
Doctor Philosophy
Assessing the effect of date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) on human gut microbiota and metabolite production: an in vitro fermentation study
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa, Dr Loan Nguyen
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Doctor Philosophy
Following the Tracks: Bringing traditional knowledge and food science together to improve health outcomes in Central Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa, Dr Luke Williams
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Effect of storage on the nutritional quality of 'Rubycot' plumcot and 'Queen Garnet' plum
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Bruce Topp, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Australian indigenous edible halophytes - potential sources of functional ingredients
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Olivia Wright, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the Nutritional Potential of Carica papaya Linn Cultivars
Principal Advisor
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Opening the Discussion on Harnessing Traditional Knowledge and Plants for Indigenous Health: Development of a Bush Food-based Carbonated Beverage
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa, Dr Olivia Wright
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the nutritional quality and food functionality of Burdekin plum (Pleiogynium timoriense)
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Daniel Cozzolino, Dr Kamalesh Adhikari, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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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: Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa, Professor Louw Hoffman
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Nutritional and Functional Quality of Flour and Proteins from Australian Acacia seed
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mike Gidley, Professor Louw Hoffman, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Impact of growing region and processing on the quality and functionality of wild harvested Terminalia ferdinandiana Exell fruits
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Daniel Cozzolino, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Use of Novel Green Technologies for Preservation of Horticultural Produce using Plant Bioactives
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Impact of photosensitization on the nutrient profile and bioaccessibility of bioactive compounds in Australian grown strawberries
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Development of a microalgal biorefinery to produce omega-3 fatty acid EPA and other high-value compounds from Nannochloropsis
Associate Advisor
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Assessing the safe use of Terminalia ferdinandiana for dietary purposes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emerita Professor Mary Fletcher, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
IDENTIFICATION AND INDUCED BIOSYNTHESIS OF NATURAL HEALTH COMPOUNDS IN MICROALGAE
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Harendra Parekh, Dr Karnaker Reddy Tupally
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Induction of carotenoid and phytosterol accumulation in microalgae
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
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