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
2020
Conference Publication
Purple sweetcorn – something tasty and healthy?
Hong, H. T., Netzel, M. E. and O'Hare, T. J. (2020). Purple sweetcorn – something tasty and healthy?. XXX International Horticultural Congress IHC2018: International Symposium on Fruit and Vegetables for Processing, International Symposium on Quality and Safety of Horticultural Products and VII International Symposium on Human Health Effects of Fruits and Vegetables, Istanbul, Turkey, 12-16 August 2018. Leuven, Belgium: International Society for Horticultural Science. doi: 10.17660/actahortic.2020.1292.52
2020
Journal Article
Low anthocyanin plum nectar does not impact cognition, blood pressure and gut microbiota in healthy older adults: a randomized crossover trial
Igwe, Ezinne O., Roodenrys, Steven, Probst, Yasmine C., do Rosario, Vinicius, Netzel, Michael E., Hong, Hung T., Netzel, Gabriele, Phan, Anh D. T. and Charlton, Karen E. (2020). Low anthocyanin plum nectar does not impact cognition, blood pressure and gut microbiota in healthy older adults: a randomized crossover trial. Nutrition Research, 82, 74-87. doi: 10.1016/j.nutres.2020.08.003
2020
Conference Publication
Nutritional features of Australian grown feijoa (Acca sellowiana) fruit
Phan, Anh, Cozzolino, Daniel, Wright, Olivia, Rychlik, Michael, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Netzel, Michael (2020). Nutritional features of Australian grown feijoa (Acca sellowiana) fruit. 5th International Conference on Metrology in Food and Nutrition, Prague, Czech Republic, 16-18 September 2020. Prague, Czech Republic: IMEKOFOODS.
2020
Journal Article
Optimisation of extraction procedure and development of LC–DAD–MS methodology for anthocyanin analysis in anthocyanin-pigmented corn kernels
Hong, H. T., Netzel, M. E. and O'Hare, T. J. (2020). Optimisation of extraction procedure and development of LC–DAD–MS methodology for anthocyanin analysis in anthocyanin-pigmented corn kernels. Food Chemistry, 319 126515, 126515. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.126515
2020
Journal Article
Nutritional value and antimicrobial activity of Pittosporum angustifolium (Gumby Gumby), an Australian indigenous plant
Phan, Anh Dao Thi, Chaliha, Mridusmita, Hong, Hung Trieu, Tinggi, Ujang, Netzel, Michael E. and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2020). Nutritional value and antimicrobial activity of Pittosporum angustifolium (Gumby Gumby), an Australian indigenous plant. Foods, 9 (7) 9070887, 1-18. doi: 10.3390/foods9070887
2020
Journal Article
Anthocyanin composition and changes during kernel development in purple-pericarp supersweet sweetcorn
Hong, H. T., Netzel, M. E. and O'Hare, T. J. (2020). Anthocyanin composition and changes during kernel development in purple-pericarp supersweet sweetcorn. Food Chemistry, 315 126284, 126284. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.126284
2020
Journal Article
An insight into curcumin-based photosensitization as a promising and green food preservation technology
Seidi Damyeh, Maral, Mereddy, Ram, Netzel, Michael E. and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2020). An insight into curcumin-based photosensitization as a promising and green food preservation technology. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 19 (4), 1727-1759. doi: 10.1111/1541-4337.12583
2020
Book Chapter
Bioactive anthocyanins in selected fruits – a foodomics approach
Wright, Olivia R. L., Phan, Anh Dao Thi, Hong, Hung Trieu, Netzel, Gabriele, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Netzel, Michael E. (2020). Bioactive anthocyanins in selected fruits – a foodomics approach. Reference module in food science. (pp. 1-28) Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/b978-0-08-100596-5.22785-6
2020
Journal Article
A dataset for anthocyanin analysis in purple-pericarp sweetcorn kernels by LC-DAD-MS
Hong, Hung Trieu, Netzel, Michael Erich and O'Hare, Timothy James (2020). A dataset for anthocyanin analysis in purple-pericarp sweetcorn kernels by LC-DAD-MS. Data in Brief, 30 105495, 105495. doi: 10.1016/j.dib.2020.105495
2020
Conference Publication
Effect of anthocyanin-containing Queen Garnet plum juice on cognition, blood pressure and gut microbiota in healthy older adults: a randomised crossover Trial.
Igwe, Ezinne, Charlton, Karin, Roodenrys, Steven, Probst, Yasmine, do Rosario, Vinicius, Netzel, Michael E., Hong, Hung T., Netzel, Gabriele and Phan, Anh D.T. (2020). Effect of anthocyanin-containing Queen Garnet plum juice on cognition, blood pressure and gut microbiota in healthy older adults: a randomised crossover Trial.. 43rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the Nutrition Society of Australia, Newcastle, NSW, Australia, 2-5 December 2019 . Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. doi: 10.3390/proceedings2020043002
2020
Conference Publication
Impact of photosensitization on physicochemical properties in strawberries
Sarwar, Shammy, Mereddy, Ram, Netzel, Michael E., Netzel, Gabriele and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2020). Impact of photosensitization on physicochemical properties in strawberries. TropAg2019, International Tropical Agriculture Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 11 - 13 November 2019. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI AG. doi: 10.3390/proceedings2019036080
2020
Conference Publication
Curcumin-loaded emulsion as a delivery vehicle for the photosensitization of fresh foods
Damyeh, Maral Seidi, Netzel, Michael E., Mereddy, Ram and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2020). Curcumin-loaded emulsion as a delivery vehicle for the photosensitization of fresh foods. 15th International Hydrocolloids Conference, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 2-5 March 2020.
2020
Conference Publication
Light-emitting diode based photosensitization and its effect on the quality of Australian grown strawberry
Sarwar, Shammy, Netzel, Gabriele, Netzel, Michael, Mereddy, Ram and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2020). Light-emitting diode based photosensitization and its effect on the quality of Australian grown strawberry. 2020 Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST) Virtual Convention, Online, 30 June - 3 July 2020.
2020
Conference Publication
Seaweed – A Secret Weapon to Combat Climate Change?
Urlass, Saskia, Sultanbawa, Yasmina, Smyth, Heather, Netzel, Gabriele and Netzel, Michael (2020). Seaweed – A Secret Weapon to Combat Climate Change?. Science Week 2020, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 17-20 August 2020.
2020
Journal Article
Acacia seed proteins: Low or high quality? A comprehensive review
Adiamo, Oladipupo Q., Netzel, Michael E., Hoffman, Louwrens C. and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2020). Acacia seed proteins: Low or high quality? A comprehensive review. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 19 (1), 21-43. doi: 10.1111/1541-4337.12508
2020
Conference Publication
How do delicious strawberries help us reach our folate goals?
Netzel, Michael, Wright, Olivia, Hong, Hung T., Rychlik, Michael and O'Hare, Tim (2020). How do delicious strawberries help us reach our folate goals?. Science Week 2020, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 17-20 August 2020.
2020
Conference Publication
Differences in the anthocyanin profile of different tissues of the strawberry fruit
Hong, Hung T., Chen, Aiqi, Netzel, Michael E. and O’Hare, Tim J. (2020). Differences in the anthocyanin profile of different tissues of the strawberry fruit. Third International Tropical Agriculture Conference (TROPAG 2019), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 11 - 13 November 2019. Basel, Switzerland: M D P I AG. doi: 10.3390/proceedings2019036074
2020
Book
Foods of plant origin
Michael E. Netzel and Yasmina Sultanbawa eds. (2020). Foods of plant origin. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. doi: 10.3390/books978-3-03928-567-9
2020
Conference Publication
Comparison of trypsin inhibitor activity, phytate and tannin contents in Australian Acacia victoriae, Acacia coriacea and Acacia cowleana seeds
Adiamo, Oladipupo, Netzel, Michael, Hoffman, Louwrens, Gidley, Michael and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2020). Comparison of trypsin inhibitor activity, phytate and tannin contents in Australian Acacia victoriae, Acacia coriacea and Acacia cowleana seeds. 2020 Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST) Virtual Convention, Online, 23 June - 2 July 2020.
2020
Conference Publication
Australian indigenous edible halophytes : Food crops for the Future?
Srivarathan, Sukirtha, Phan, Anh D. T., Wright, Olivia, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Netzel, Michael (2020). Australian indigenous edible halophytes : Food crops for the Future?. NSA Brisbane Group’s Virtual Research Showcase Events, Online, 25-26 August 2020.
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 Heather Smyth, 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
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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
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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
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
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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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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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