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WRI Seminar Series: Professor Renyou Gan, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 2026 AU International Fellow Award Recipient
Professor Renyou Gan, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, 2026 AU International Fellow Award Recipient
Date: Thursday, 29 October 10-11 am, SARDI Auditorium
Title: Plant-Based Functional Ingredients and Gut Health: From Food Sources to Translational Nutrition
Abstract: This presentation will share our recent research work in plant functional ingredients, like their natural sources, extraction technologies, characterization, and biological evaluation, with a specific focus on their interactions with gut microbiota. Specific examples may include the utilization of dark tea theabrownins for the management of fatty liver disease, sweet tea (Lithocarpus litseifolius) dihydrochalcones for the management of colitis, and functional plant polysaccharides as promising prebiotics. Finally, I will touch a little on the innovation of novel food functional ingredients from gut microbiota-mediated biotransformation of dietary phytochemicals, targeting to develop gut metabolite-based next-generation nutraceuticals.
Bio: Professor Gan is an Assistant Professor and Presidential Young Scholar in Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Department of Food Science and Nutrition. His research expertise lies in the discovery and characterisation of food-derived bioactives, with a strategic focus on valorisation of functional plants and food by-products. By integrating chemical profiling with translational nutrition, his research develops sustainable, evidence-based solutions that transform low-value food wastes into health-promoting functional products. Since 2020, Professor Gan has been listed in Stanford University “World Top 2% Scientists” in the field of Food Science and Nutrition and Dietetics. He was also listed as a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher in the field of Agricultural Sciences/Food Sciences in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and was listed in the Research.com Best Biology and Biochemistry Scientists in 2024 and 2025.
https://www.polyu.edu.hk/fsn/people/academic-staff/prof-gan-renyou/
Professor Gan is an inaugural 2026 Adelaide University International Fellows Award recipient
Professor Gan will work with Adelaide University researchers to establish an integrated research platform between Adelaide University and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University to upcycle South Australian wine and food by-products (e.g., grape pomace and spent grains) into functional ingredients.
His Adelaide University host is Dr Bo Wang, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, College of Sciences.
Followed by morning tea