News

RiFood members participated in F&B trade show and fisheries forum

RiFood members participated in the Fisheries Innovative and Technological Forum and the FoodSmart Conference and Expo for the Food and Beverage Trade 2022 Dr Kevin Kwok, Associate Director of Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), and Prof. Dan Tsang, Member of RiFood, shared on the topic of new technologies for aquaculture and upcycling food waste respectively at the FoodSmart Conference and Expo for the Food and Beverage Trade 2022 held on 14 November 2022 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.  The Institute also participated in the exhibition.  The Conference consists of plenary and breakout seminar sessions, with topics ranging from food waste separation, collection, treatment and pre-treatment technologies, AL & new technologies for F&B Trade, and experience sharing from F&B Trade. Exhibitors at the event showcased their latest technologies on food waste collection, treatment, and turning waste to energy/resources, innovative catering service and food waste management systems, development in sustainable food, environment-friendly cutlery, AI & new technologies for the F&B Trade, and health and safe environment. The Environmental Protection Department also shared relevant policy initiatives such as MSW charging and regulation of disposable plastic tableware. On 15 November 2022, Dr Kwok spoke on the supplements to improve fish health at The Fisheries Innovative and Technological Forum held at the Hong Kong Science Park.    The Forum consists of keynote speeches about the evolving development of sustainable fisheries, including the application of semi-submersible truss cage farm technology, sustainable development on fisheries and aquatic ecosystems, promoting sustainable fisheries development in Hong Kong, and supplements to improve fish health. A panel discussion regarding the future transformation of sustainable aquaculture was held as well. Exhibitors also demonstrated their innovative technologies in fisheries. For more information about the show and forum: The Fisheries Innovative and Technological Forum: https://www.facebook.com/IVEHealthandLifeSciences/videos/654765042905832/?extid=CL-UNK-UNK-UNK-AN_GK0T-GK1C The FoodSmart Conference and Expo for the Food and Beverage Trade: Food Smart Partnership Programme (fspphk.org)

Congratulations to Dr WONG Ka-hing for being admitted as a Fellow of the International Association of Advanced Materials (IAAM) and received the IAAM Scientist Award

Congratulations to Dr WONG Ka-hing, our RiFood Director, for being admitted as a Fellow of the International Association of Advanced Materials (IAAM) and received the IAAM Scientist Award for his contribution to Applications of Nanotechnology. Invited by IAAM, Dr Wong has delivered a lecture entitled “Selenium nanoparticles functionalized by mushroom polysaccharide-protein complex: A novel nano-mineral for managing postmenopausal osteoporosis” at the European Assembly of Advanced Materials Congress on 28 -31 August 2022. P.S. The IAAM is a non-profit international organisation established to promote scientific research in the field of advanced materials. Researchers around the globe are united to share their insights and advancements in material science - to find solutions to critical problems through applying advanced materials.

International Conference on Food Waste to Food Sustainability (FWFS 2022) successfully held

A two-day International Conference on Food Waste to Food Sustainability (FWFS 2022), hosted by the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), was held successfully on 24-25 August 2022. Thirty-nine world-renowned academics were invited as keynote speakers to present their recent research findings on a diverse range of topics related to the conference theme. The Conference attracted over 500 online participants from 25 countries and regions. At the Opening Ceremony, Prof. Christopher Chao, Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU, shared how the COVID-19 has been driving the transformation in different aspects of the global food system, from food waste management, food security, nutrition, public health to food policy. Prof. Chao pointed out that need for an interdisciplinary research platform to fulfil the food demand of the entire population and highlighted some of the remarkable achievements of and contributions from RiFood. Prof. Qingyan Chen, Director of PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR), introduced the Academy and RiFood to the audience. He used the product development of traditional tonic food as an example, to elucidate how interdisciplinary research integrates chemical analysis, nutrition, Chinese medicine, and food processing to achieve our goal of accessible and highly nutritious food. Interdisciplinary research is critical to bring impact to the development of Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and the World. The Conference received very positive feedback. On the first day, eight speakers from the US and Canada shared their research findings on food waste upcycling. On the second day, twenty-one speakers from Australia, China, Germany, Greece, Japan, Korea, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Swiss, the US and the UK presented on topics such as sustainable food production, food security to respond to emerging climate and pandemic situation, bio-safety, and food policy and green finance. Dr Kahing Wong, Director of RiFood gave closing remarks and thanked all the online participants for their support in making the Conference a huge success.

(Chinese only) 香港理工大學-香港益力多 腸道益生菌益生元與人類健康聯合研究實驗室 現正招募更年期女士進行研究

(Chinese version only) 香港理工大學-香港益力多 腸道益生菌益生元與人類健康聯合研究實驗室 現正招募 更年期女士進行研究 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 香港女性的更年期年齡平均為51歲，絕經後隨著體內雌激素下降，導致外陰 及陰道黏膜組織退化，引起一連串外陰陰道萎縮(Vulvovaginal Atrophy) 的 絕經後病徵，例如陰部乾澀、痕癢、灼熱、行房刺痛、小便赤痛等。 陰道微生物群在維持陰道生態方面有重要的作用，陰道微生物群失衡或失調 可能與停經前或停經後婦女的不良婦科健康狀況有關，因此了解陰道微生物 群的組成、功能和變化有助於了解更年期狀況的病理生理學，並可用於預防 和治療更年期相關健康問題。 我們正與香港本地診所合作進行一項有關香港女性更年期陰道微生物群變化 的臨床醫學研究，藉此改善絕經後婦女的陰部困擾。如符合研究條件，將安 排由醫生進行初步評估，當中得到的數據將用作學術研究，期間所有費用全 免，個人資料絕對保密。名額有限，額滿即止。 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 研究詳情及登記： 填寫以下報名表格或掃描QR Code: https://forms.gle/iGhwVmbweCJNSchSA 查詢： WhatsApp/微信：6677 8743 電郵：vamicrobe2022@gmail.com 備註：整個評估程序已通過香港理工大學倫理委員會的審批。

RiFood featured on RTHK TV programme "Hong Kong Connection"

Dr Kevin Kwok Wing-hin, Associate Director of the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood) and Assistant Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, was featured on RTHK TV programme “Hong Kong Connection” on 2 June to explain why plant-based meat is essential for the future and how these food is made. Dr Kwok also introduced the research on plant-based meat at RiFood and explained what “cultured meat” is. Watch now: https://polyu.me/3akQPIu (1:30 - 16:52)

Our study reveals Bifidobacteria almost non-existent in cesarean-born Chinese babies

A research by Dr Jiachi CHIOU, Associate Director of RiFood has revealed that Bifidobacteria, a probiotic, was nearly non-existent in the gut of babies born by cesarean section (C-section). Bifidobacteria is viewed as an essential probiotic for proper immune development and good gut health among infants which protects the neonates from various intestinal and immunity disorders. Dr Chiou and her research team examined 70 fecal samples of newborn babies after their first 2 weeks of life for the study. They found that the Bifidobacterium species almost did not exist in samples from C-section babies. In comparison, 37 fecal samples from vaginally birthed, breastfed babies had the necessary probiotic levels. While previous study suggested that Bifidobacteria could be detected from the breastmilk, and hence breastfeeding may help to supplement the beneficial bacteria in the baby’s gut microbiota. Dr. Chiou also said 38% of births in Hong Kong are C-section deliveries, so it is crucial to understand the special nutrition needs of C-section babies. (Oriental Daily News A11, am730 A06, Sky Post P14, Wen Wei Po A10) * This newborn babies study was commissioned by Danone Nutricia. Online coverage : i-Cable - https://polyu.me/379mk6M Oriental Daily News- https://polyu.me/3tVL771 Sing Tao Daily - https://polyu.me/38jWkWP am730 - https://polyu.me/3tSp3u6 Headline Daily - https://polyu.me/3tWpHqA Wen Wei Po - https://polyu.me/3DBeGy8 HK01 - https://polyu.me/376n0JK Bastille Post - https://polyu.me/3iVh09s

海產養殖現代化及可持續發展培訓 2022

[Chinese only] #支持本地漁農【海產養殖現代化及可持續發展培訓2022】 第二屆「海產養殖現代化及可持續發展培訓」即將招生啦！ 香港理工大學未來食品研究院在漁業持續發展基金嘅資助下，利用署方喺東龍洲嘅現代化海產養殖示範場進行海產養殖現代化同可持續發展計劃，為各位有意從事本地海產養殖人士提供養殖技術理論同實習課程。第一屆培訓已經完滿結束，如果您有興趣參加第二屆培訓，學習現代化海產養殖嘅知識同技術，兼想得到實戰經驗，請掃描海報上的QR code又或者電郵至johnwh.kwok@polyu.edu.hk查詢。

RiFood member joins the Experts Committee on Breastfeeding of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)

Prof. Man-sau Wong, Steering Committee Member of Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood), has been invited as a Member of the Experts Committee on Breastfeeding of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) Division for People recently. The primary purpose of the Experts Committee is to provide technical advice to the Division for People and, in this case, to the Global Breastfeeding Training initiative to strengthen its operations and increase its impact in the communities it serves. The breastfeeding education initiative kick-off cum experts committee inauguration have been held on 18 Feb 2022. Please click here for more details.

PolyU invests HK$400m in new interdisciplinary research institutes for improving people’s lives 理大投放四億元於新成立的跨學科高等研究院 以改善社會民生

Prof. Wing-tak Wong, PolyU’s Deputy President and Provost, said in an interview that the University will invest HK$400 million in the next three years in 15 new research institutes and centres for areas like smart city, wearable smart devices and Chinese medicine. Prof. Wong said the research will focus on people’s key daily life issues like clothing and food, with an emphasis on addressing societal challenges. One of the institutes established lately is the Research Institute for Future Food (RiFood). Dr Wong Ka-hing, Director of RiFood and Associate Professor in the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, told media that RiFood is currently conducting a research on the efficacies of traditional Chinese dietary supplements like bird's nest and sea cucumbers. Another research undergoing at RiFood is how to convert food waste into 3D printing materials with nanotechnology. The institute is also conducting projects about AI food authentication and food sustainability. (Hong Kong Economic Times A10, Sky Post P08) 理大常務及學務副校長黃永德於訪問時表示，大學於未來3年將投放4億元，推動高等研究院轄下的15所研究院及研究中心，當中涵蓋多個範疇，包括智慧城市、智能可穿戴系統及中醫藥等。 黃教授更表示，研究的課題均是社會民生重要議題，涉獵衣食住行，「理大特別強調研究要貼地及入屋，要對社會有用。」 「未來食品研究院」(RiFood) 是其中一所剛成立的研究院之一。RiFood院長兼應用生物及化學科技學系副教授黃家興博士於訪問中透露其研究團隊最近正研究中國傳統滋補食品如燕窩及海參相關的功效。 除此以外，「未來食品研究院」專注食品科學，研究包括透過納米技術將廚餘製成3D打印材料、發展人工智能食物鑑證以辨別有機菜等，最終目標協助培養出一個可持續的糧食系統，應對人口增長及氣候變化帶來的糧食危機。(經濟日報A10, 晴報P08)   Online coverage 線上報導: Hong Kong Economic Times 經濟日報 Sky Post 晴報  

PolyU RiFood establishes the world’s first collaborative research laboratory with Yakult officially

PolyU RiFood received a generous donation of HK$ 2 million from Hong Kong Yakult Co. Ltd. (Yakult) to establish the “PolyU-Yakult Joint Research Laboratory for Probiotics and Prebiotics in Human Health”. Interviewed by the media yesterday, Dr KH Wong, Director of RiFood and Dr William Tai, Director of PolyU-Yakult Joint Lab revealed that they aim to pursue impactful and cutting-edge research in Food Science and Human Health. By establishing PolyU-Yakult Joint Lab, the team will focus on the development of new probiotics and prebiotics for the prevention and therapy of different diseases, to facilitate scientific exchange between Hong Kong and the world.   全球首間由大學與益力多共建的研究實驗室於理大未來食品研究院 (RiFood)正式成立 早前，理大未來食品研究院 很榮幸獲得香港益力多乳品有限公司捐贈港幣二百萬元，成立 [香港理工大學-香港益力多 腸道益生菌益生元與人類健康聯合研究實驗室]。本院院長黃家興博士及聯合研究實驗室主任戴自城博士於昨日接受本地傳媒訪問時表示，他們將致力促進食品科學與人類健康具影響力的前沿研究。而此實驗室成立，就是希望促進本地與國際機構的交流，開發用於預防和治療疾病的新型益生菌和益生元配方。 訪問已於多個平台刊登及上載，詳情請瀏覽以下網址: Topick Hong Kong Economic Times (經濟日報) Sky Post (晴報) HK01 (香港01) RTHK (香港電台) 6do.news UrbanLife Health