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
2021
Journal Article
Impact of polyphenol-rich extracts of Terminalia ferdinandiana fruits and seeds on viability of human intestinal and liver cells in vitro
Akter, Saleha, Addepalli, Rama, Netzel, Michael, Fletcher, Mary, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Osborne, Simone (2021). Impact of polyphenol-rich extracts of Terminalia ferdinandiana fruits and seeds on viability of human intestinal and liver cells in vitro. Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences, 2 100024, 100024. doi: 10.1016/j.fochms.2021.100024
2021
Conference Publication
Red and not so red colour of fruits
Netzel, Michael E. (2021). Red and not so red colour of fruits. Educational visit at Birkdale South State School, Birkdale, QLD, Australia, 20-21 July 2021.
2021
Journal Article
Determination of ellagic acid, punicalagin, and castalagin from Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu plum) by a validated UHPLC-PDA-MS/MS methodology
Akter, Saleha, Hong, Hung, Netzel, Michael, Tinggi, Ujang, Fletcher, Mary, Osborne, Simone and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2021). Determination of ellagic acid, punicalagin, and castalagin from Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu plum) by a validated UHPLC-PDA-MS/MS methodology. Food Analytical Methods, 14 (12), 2534-2544. doi: 10.1007/s12161-021-02063-8
2021
Journal Article
Effect of photosensitization mediated by curcumin on carotenoid and aflatoxin content in different maize varieties
Nguenha, Rafael, Damyeh, Maral Seidi, Phan, Anh D. T., Hong, Hung T., Chaliha, Mridusmita, O’Hare, Tim J., Netzel, Michael E. and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2021). Effect of photosensitization mediated by curcumin on carotenoid and aflatoxin content in different maize varieties. Applied Sciences, 11 (13) 5902, 1-19. doi: 10.3390/app11135902
2021
Conference Publication
Do blood-plums (Prunus salicina) have carotenoids?
Kodagoda, Gethmini, Hong, Hung, Topp, Bruce, Sultanbawa, Yasmina, O'Hare, Tim and Netzel, Michael E. (2021). Do blood-plums (Prunus salicina) have carotenoids?. 1st Virtual International Conference on Carotenoids (VICC 2021), International Carotenoid Society, Virtual, 22-25 June 2021.
2021
Conference Publication
Free- and esterified-carotenoids in oily and non-oily fruit matrices: an optimised procedure of saponification for carotenoid quantification
Hong, Hung, Agarwal, Rimjhim, Netzel, Michael and O'Hare, Tim (2021). Free- and esterified-carotenoids in oily and non-oily fruit matrices: an optimised procedure of saponification for carotenoid quantification. 1st Virtual International Conference on Carotenoids (VICC 2021), International Carotenoid Society, virtual, 22-25 June 2021.
2021
Journal Article
The measurement of antioxidant capacity and colour attributes in wild harvest samphire (Tecticornia sp.) samples using mid-infrared spectroscopy
Srivarathan, Sukirtha, Phan, Anh Dao Thi, Wright, Olivia, Sultanbawa, Yasmina, Netzel, Michael E. and Cozzolino, Daniel (2021). The measurement of antioxidant capacity and colour attributes in wild harvest samphire (Tecticornia sp.) samples using mid-infrared spectroscopy. Food Analytical Methods, 14 (11), 2328-2334. doi: 10.1007/s12161-021-02065-6
2021
Journal Article
The effect of maturity and tissue on the ability of mid infrared spectroscopy to predict the geographical origin of banana (Musa Cavendish)
Zhang, Long, Huang, Yichao, Sun, Fengjiang, Chen, Da, Netzel, Michael, Smyth, Heather E., Sultanbawa, Yasmina, Deng, Yongfeng, Fang, Mingliang and Cozzolino, Daniel (2021). The effect of maturity and tissue on the ability of mid infrared spectroscopy to predict the geographical origin of banana (Musa Cavendish). International Journal of Food Science and Technology, 56 (6), 2621-2627. doi: 10.1111/ijfs.14960
2021
Journal Article
Post-harvest fungal occurrence on commercial strawberry cultivars grown in Australia: impact of phytochemical composition
Maral Damyeh, Seidi, Fernando, Chrishanthi W., Phan, Anh Dao Thi, Hong, Hung T., Mereddy, Ram, Netzel, Michael E., Chaliha, Mridusmita and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2021). Post-harvest fungal occurrence on commercial strawberry cultivars grown in Australia: impact of phytochemical composition. Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization, 15 (4), 3811-3822. doi: 10.1007/s11694-021-00924-8
2021
Conference Publication
Assessing the quality of (plant) food for a healthy nutrition
Netzel, Michael E (2021). Assessing the quality of (plant) food for a healthy nutrition. CNAFS Centre Meeting, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia, 29 April 2021.
2021
Journal Article
Measurement of total soluble solids and moisture in puree and dry powder of Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinanadiana) samples using hand-held near infrared spectroscopy
Bobasa, Eshetu M., Netzel, Michael E., Cozzolino, Daniel, Phan, Anh Dao Thi and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2021). Measurement of total soluble solids and moisture in puree and dry powder of Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinanadiana) samples using hand-held near infrared spectroscopy. Journal of Near Infrared Spectroscopy, 29 (4), 096703352098236-206. doi: 10.1177/0967033520982361
2021
Conference Publication
Anthocyanins
Netzel, Michael E (2021). Anthocyanins. Visit at Jabiru Community Youth & Children's Services Assoc Inc, Birkdale, QLD, Australia, 15 April 2021.
2021
Conference Publication
Does shape matter? Folate in strawberry and avocados
Netzel, Michael E., Dumler, Caroline, Weber, Nadine, Striegel, Lisa, Rychlik, Michael, Hong, Hung Trieu and O'Hare, Tim (2021). Does shape matter? Folate in strawberry and avocados. VIII International Symposium on Human Health Effects of Fruits and Vegetables, Online, 9-11 March 2021.
2021
Journal Article
Unlocking the secrets of kernels using near-infrared spectroscopy
Bobasa, Eshetu, Netzel, Michael, Phan, Anh Dao Thi, Smyth, Heather, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Cozzolino, Daniel (2021). Unlocking the secrets of kernels using near-infrared spectroscopy. Applied Spectroscopy, 75 (7), 1-5. doi: 10.1177/0003702821992136
2021
Journal Article
The use of a micro near infrared portable instrument to predict bioactive compounds in a wild harvested fruit—Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana)
Bobasa, Eshetu, Phan, Anh Dao T., Netzel, Michael, Smyth, Heather E., Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Cozzolino, Daniel (2021). The use of a micro near infrared portable instrument to predict bioactive compounds in a wild harvested fruit—Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana). Sensors, 21 (4) 1413, 1-10. doi: 10.3390/s21041413
2021
Conference Publication
Australian indigenous edible halophytes as potential salt substitutes
Srivarathan, Sukirtha, Mantilla , Sandra, Sultanbawa, Yasmina, Phan, Anh, Wright, Olivia and Netzel, Michael E (2021). Australian indigenous edible halophytes as potential salt substitutes. 15th NZOZ Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium (A Virtual Conference), virtual, 9-11 February 2021.
2021
Journal Article
Plant-based phenolic molecules as natural preservatives in comminuted meats: a review
Beya, Michel M., Netzel, Michael E., Sultanbawa, Yasmina, Smyth, Heather and Hoffman, Louwrens C. (2021). Plant-based phenolic molecules as natural preservatives in comminuted meats: a review. Antioxidants, 10 (2) 263, 263-18. doi: 10.3390/antiox10020263
2021
Journal Article
Effect of storage on the nutritional quality of Queen Garnet plum
Kodagoda, Gethmini, Hong, Hung T., O’Hare, Tim J., Sultanbawa, Yasmina, Topp, Bruce and Netzel, Michael E. (2021). Effect of storage on the nutritional quality of Queen Garnet plum. Foods, 10 (2) 352, 352. doi: 10.3390/foods10020352
2021
Journal Article
Tecticornia sp. (Samphire)—A Promising Underutilized Australian Indigenous Edible Halophyte
Srivarathan, Sukirtha, Phan, Anh Dao Thi, Hong, Hung Trieu, Chua, Elvis T., Wright, Olivia, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Netzel, Michael E. (2021). Tecticornia sp. (Samphire)—A Promising Underutilized Australian Indigenous Edible Halophyte. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8 607799, 607799. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2021.607799
2021
Journal Article
Does storage improve the nutritional quality of plums?
Kodagoda, Gethmini and Netzel, Michael (2021). Does storage improve the nutritional quality of plums?. Food Australia, 73 (1), 7-7.
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
Investigating the nutritional and bioactive properties of native Australian Citrus species
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Natasha Hungerford, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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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 Heather Smyth, 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
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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
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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Doctor Philosophy
Modelling interactive effects of environment and physicochemical properties of Persoonia spp.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Dharini Sivakumar, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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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
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Doctor Philosophy
Exploring the Nutritional and Functional Quality of Australian Indigenous Yam
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Femi Akinsanmi, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa
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
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 Heather Smyth, Professor Yasmina Sultanbawa, Professor Louw Hoffman
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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
-
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
-
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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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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