
Overview
Background
Since joining the Centre for Nutrition and Food Science in 2004, my work has focussed on food structure and how it changes during digestion and fermentation. I use NMR spectroscopy and wet chemistry techniques, to characterise polysaccharides particularly: starch, plant cell walls, dietary fibre and cellulose. My research has resulted in the publication of 93 papers with over 6000 citations and a H-index of 39 (scopus). I regularly review papers for Food Hydrocolloids and Carbohydrate polymers. I have co-supervised eight PhDs to completion and am currently co-supervising four PhD students and am principal supervisor to one PhD and two masters students.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Science (Honours, 1997, UQ) and PhD in Inorganic Chemistry (2002, UQ) I worked with Prof David Fairlie (h-index 104, 42, 140 citations) to study peptide synthesis and high-field, multi-dimensional NMR.
I have practical experience with in vitro and digestion and fermentation and havecollaborated to perfect a batch fermentation system to compare the fermentability of a number of complex dietary fibres using human faecal inoculum. Using this methodology, I have studied how the chemistry and architecture of dietary fibres affects the digestion and fermentation of starches and dietary fibres. My Skills in NMR spectroscopy have enabled me to develop methods for quantifying starch molecular order and to quantify Short Chain Fatty acids and other fermemetabolites.
Availability
- Dr Bernadine Flanagan is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Science (Advanced), The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Investigating food structure and how it affects digestibility and fermentability.
Characterising starch and dietary fibres and exploring how they change in response to differences in processing conditions. How does food architecture affect the digestibility and fermentability of food and feeds. Using spectroscopy and analytical chemistry techniques to explore the composition and structures of food and feeds. Determining how the interaction of plant cell wall polysaccharides influences their structure and function with particular focus on the interactions of cellulose hemicelluloses. How the density and solubility of plant cell wall components drives fermentability.
Research impacts
Over the last twenty years (13 years FTE) I have been part of many multi-disciplinary teams working with industry, government and fellow university based researchers nationally and internationally. For Six years as part of the CSIRO Food Futures Flagship and then for 7 years as a member of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Cell walls, a team of over 80 researchers, based at UA, UM, ANSTO and international collaborators in the UK and Sweden. These collaborations lead to many multi-disciplinary publications with a focus of polysaccharide structure and function. Using NMR, I established new methods for polysaccharide structure analysis and increased our understanding of complex plant cell wall structure relationships.
In 2005 I was awarded a UQ New Staff Research Start Up Fund. In 2023 I was a CI on a successful $1.68 million ARC LIEF bid for a national network for magnetic resonance spectroscopy. I am a CI on a recently awarded a $788, 130 ARC Linkage grant, LP240100343, in this project I will lead the activities in polysaccharide structure and characterisation. As a result of my interest in plant polysaccharides, I was voted Vice Chair of Australasian Grain Science Association (AGSA) and was appointed 2025 AGSA Brisbane conference chair.
Works
Search Professor Bernadine Flanagan’s works on UQ eSpace
2023
Conference Publication
Infrared spectroscopy combined with machine learning techniques to monitor starch in vitro digestibility
Visnupriyan, R., Harper, K., Flanagan, B. and Cozzolino, D. (2023). Infrared spectroscopy combined with machine learning techniques to monitor starch in vitro digestibility. 46th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Nutrition Society of Australia, Perth, WA, Australia, 29 November - 2 December. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press. doi: 10.1017/S0029665123002057
2023
Journal Article
Lactate and buyrate proportions, methanogen growth and gas production during in vitro dietary fibre fermentation all depend on fibre concentration
Yao, Hong, Flanagan, Bernadine M., Williams, Barbara A., Mikkelsen, Deirdre and Gidley, Michael J. (2023). Lactate and buyrate proportions, methanogen growth and gas production during in vitro dietary fibre fermentation all depend on fibre concentration. Food Hydrocolloids, 134 108061, 1-11. doi: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2022.108061
2022
Journal Article
Amorphous packing of amylose and elongated branches linked to the enzymatic resistance of high-amylose wheat starch granules
Li, Haiteng, Dhital, Sushil, Flanagan, Bernadine M., Mata, Jitendra, Gilbert, Elliot P., Gilbert, Robert G. and Gidley, Michael J. (2022). Amorphous packing of amylose and elongated branches linked to the enzymatic resistance of high-amylose wheat starch granules. Carbohydrate Polymers, 295 119871, 119871. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.119871
2022
Journal Article
Soluble fibre concentration effects during in vitro fermentation: Higher concentration leads to increased butyrate proportion
Yao, Hong, Williams, Barbara A., Flanagan, Bernadine M., Lisle, Allan, Mikkelsen, Deirdre and Gidley, Michael J. (2022). Soluble fibre concentration effects during in vitro fermentation: Higher concentration leads to increased butyrate proportion. Food Hydrocolloids, 130 107728, 107728. doi: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2022.107728
2022
Conference Publication
Aroma as a tool to utilize the diversity of Australian wattleseeds
Jacob, Sera Susan, Flanagan, Bernadine, Williams, Barbara, Hickey, Sarah, Gidley, Mike and Smyth, Heather (2022). Aroma as a tool to utilize the diversity of Australian wattleseeds. AIFST Conference, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 22-24 August 2022.
2022
Journal Article
Absolute abundance values reveal microbial shifts and co-occurrence patterns during gut microbiota fermentation of dietary fibres in vitro
Yao, Hong, Lu, Shiyi, Williams, Barbara A., Flanagan, Bernadine M., Gidley, Michael J. and Mikkelsen, Deirdre (2022). Absolute abundance values reveal microbial shifts and co-occurrence patterns during gut microbiota fermentation of dietary fibres in vitro. Food Hydrocolloids, 127 107422, 107422. doi: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2021.107422
2022
Journal Article
In vitro fermentation profiles of undigested fractions from legume and nut particles are affected by particle cohesion and entrapped macronutrients
Widaningrum, , Flanagan, Bernadine M., Williams, Barbara A., Sonni, Francesca, Chen, Pengfei, Mikkelsen, Deirdre and Gidley, Michael J. (2022). In vitro fermentation profiles of undigested fractions from legume and nut particles are affected by particle cohesion and entrapped macronutrients. Food and Function, 13 (9), 5075-5088. doi: 10.1039/d2fo00250g
2022
Journal Article
Effect of processing on the solubility and molecular size of oat β-glucan and consequences for starch digestibility of oat-fortified noodles
Nguyen, Thoa T. L., Flanagan, Bernadine M., Tao, Keyu, Ni, Dongdong, Gidley, Michael J., Fox, Glen P. and Gilbert, Robert G. (2022). Effect of processing on the solubility and molecular size of oat β-glucan and consequences for starch digestibility of oat-fortified noodles. Food Chemistry, 372 131291, 131291. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.131291
2022
Journal Article
In vitro fermentation of onion cell walls and model polysaccharides using human faecal inoculum: effects of molecular interactions and cell wall architecture
Lu, Shiyi, Flanagan, Bernadine M., Mikkelsen, Deirdre, Williams, Barbara A. and Gidley, Michael J. (2022). In vitro fermentation of onion cell walls and model polysaccharides using human faecal inoculum: effects of molecular interactions and cell wall architecture. Food Hydrocolloids, 124 107257, 107257. doi: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2021.107257
2022
Journal Article
Starch structure and nutritional functionality – past revelations and future prospects
Junejo, Shahid Ahmed, Flanagan, Bernadine M., Zhang, Bin and Dhital, Sushil (2022). Starch structure and nutritional functionality – past revelations and future prospects. Carbohydrate Polymers, 277 118837, 118837. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118837
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.
2022
Conference Publication
The Wattleseed Effect : Exploring Australia’s native legumes for novel food applications
Jacob, Sera Susan, Smyth, Heather E., Flanagan, Bernadine M., Williams, Barbara A. and Gidley, Michael J. (2022). The Wattleseed Effect : Exploring Australia’s native legumes for novel food applications. 72nd Australasian Grain Science Conference, Canberra, ACT, Australia, 24-26 August 2022.
2021
Journal Article
Multiple length scale structure-property relationships of wheat starch oxidized by sodium hypochlorite or hydrogen peroxide
Chapagai, Madan Kumar, Fletcher, Brenton, Witt, Torsten, Dhital, Sushil, Flanagan, Bernadine M. and Gidley, Michael J. (2021). Multiple length scale structure-property relationships of wheat starch oxidized by sodium hypochlorite or hydrogen peroxide. Carbohydrate Polymer Technologies and Applications, 2 100147, 100147. doi: 10.1016/j.carpta.2021.100147
2021
Conference Publication
Bunya nut as a healthy and versatile gluten-free source for flour production
Moura Nadolny, Jaqueline, Best, Odette, Flanagan, Bernadine, Shewan, Heather, Smyth, Heather E. and Stokes, Jason (2021). Bunya nut as a healthy and versatile gluten-free source for flour production. 6th Food Structures, Digestion and Health Conference, Virtual, 16-19 November 2021.
2021
Journal Article
Fermentation outcomes of wheat cell wall related polysaccharides are driven by substrate effects as well as initial faecal inoculum
Lu, Shiyi, Williams, Barbara A., Flanagan, Bernadine M., Yao, Hong, Mikkelsen, Deirdre and Gidley, Michael J. (2021). Fermentation outcomes of wheat cell wall related polysaccharides are driven by substrate effects as well as initial faecal inoculum. Food Hydrocolloids, 120 106978, 106978. doi: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2021.106978
2021
Journal Article
Isolated pectin (apple) and fruit pulp (mango) impact gastric emptying, passage rate and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production differently along the pig gastrointestinal tract
Low, Dorrain Yanwen, Pluschke, Anton M., Flanagan, Bernadine, Sonni, Francesca, Grant, Lucas J., Williams, Barbara A. and Gidley, Michael J. (2021). Isolated pectin (apple) and fruit pulp (mango) impact gastric emptying, passage rate and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production differently along the pig gastrointestinal tract. Food Hydrocolloids, 118 106723, 106723. doi: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2021.106723
2021
Journal Article
Interaction of cellulose and xyloglucan influences in vitro fermentation outcomes
Lu, Shiyi, Mikkelsen, Deirdre, Flanagan, Bernadine M., Williams, Barbara A. and Gidley, Michael J. (2021). Interaction of cellulose and xyloglucan influences in vitro fermentation outcomes. Carbohydrate Polymers, 258 117698, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.117698
2021
Journal Article
In vitro fermentation of legume cells and components: Effects of cell encapsulation and starch/protein interactions
Bhattarai, Rewati R., Dhital, Sushil, Williams, Barbara A., Yang, Hong Jian, Mikkelsen, Deirdre, Flanagan, Bernadine M. and Gidley, Michael J. (2021). In vitro fermentation of legume cells and components: Effects of cell encapsulation and starch/protein interactions. Food Hydrocolloids, 113 106538. doi: 10.1016/j.foodhyd.2020.106538
2021
Journal Article
Wheat cell walls and constituent polysaccharides induce similar microbiota profiles upon in vitro fermentation despite different short chain fatty acid end-product levels
Lu, Shiyi, Mikkelsen, Deirdre, Yao, Hong, Williams, Barbara A., Flanagan, Bernadine M. and Gidley, Michael J. (2021). Wheat cell walls and constituent polysaccharides induce similar microbiota profiles upon in vitro fermentation despite different short chain fatty acid end-product levels. Food and Function, 12 (3), 1135-1146. doi: 10.1039/d0fo02509g
2021
Conference Publication
Exploring the diversity in wattleseeds for food applications
Jacob, Sera Susan , Smyth, Heather E. , Flanagan, Bernadine M. , Williams, Barbara A. and Gidley, Michael J. (2021). Exploring the diversity in wattleseeds for food applications. Australasian Seed Science Conference , Virtual, 6-8 September 2021.
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Bernadine Flanagan is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Improving protein digestion in broiler chicken by application of exogenous enzymes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mike Gidley, Professor Eugeni Roura
-
Doctor Philosophy
Controlling feed digestion in pigs to remove the need for antimicrobials
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Eugeni Roura, Professor Mike Gidley
-
Doctor Philosophy
Sustainable Precision Feeding in Broiler Chickens in Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mike Gidley, Professor Eugeni Roura
-
Doctor Philosophy
Utilization of non-protein fractions of legumes in the food industry
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mike Gidley
-
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the relationship between the shape, size and local density of food gels and their functionality in vitro
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen, Professor Mike Gidley
Completed supervision
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Xylo-oligosaccharides, gastrointestinal function and microbiota in broiler chickens
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Conny Turni, Dr Lida Omaleki, Professor Eugeni Roura
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Wattleseeds for nutritional foods
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mike Gidley
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Microbiota interactions and functionality in response to nut consumption and in vitro fermentation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mike Gidley, Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Dietary fibre concentration and particle size drive in vitro gut microbial fermentation behaviours
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen, Professor Mike Gidley
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Preparation and characterization of chemically modified wheat starch as a depressant of pyrite and graphite
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mike Gidley
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
In Vitro Fermentation of Insoluble Dietary Fibers and Undigested Fractions from Plant Food Sources
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen, Professor Mike Gidley
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
In vitro gut microbial fermentation of models for plant dietary fibre
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen, Professor Mike Gidley
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
BACTERIAL MEDIATED ENZYMATIC METABOLISM OF ARABINOXYLAN AND GALACTOXYLOGLUCAN UNDER IN VITRO FERMENTATION CONDITIONS
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Deirdre Mikkelsen, Professor Mike Gidley
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Mechanisms behind the cholesterol-reducing effect of cereal soluble dietary fibres: (1,3:1,4) beta glucan & arabinoxylan
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mike Gidley
Media
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