Access profile

This doctoral programme has a decidedly multidisciplinary nature, and as such, degrees that will grant holders admission to our study programme are varied.

Given the reorganisation and changes that affected master’s programmes, currently, holders of the following degrees are considered to be the most appropriate for admission into the doctoral programme in Agri-Food Technology and Biotechnology: a master’s degree in Agricultural Engineering, a master’s degree in Aquiculture or a master’s degree in Improving Plant Genetics, all of which are offered at the UPC through joint programmes.

In addition to these profiles, and due to the markedly multidisciplinary nature of this programme, graduates from degree programmes focusing on sciences and technologies involving food, agri-food engineering, life sciences or biological systems may also be admitted to the programme, pending their passing of the corresponding master’s programme or 60 ECTS-worth of master’s courses.

Interest in experimental laboratory and/or field work and the ability to work in a team, as well as having critical and analytical abilities and initiative, are relevant aspects that will influence whether or not applicants are admitted.

Output profile

Doctoral candidates who complete a doctoral degree will have acquired the following competencies, which are needed to carry out quality research (Royal Decree 99/2011, of 28 January, which regulates official doctoral studies):

a) A systematic understanding of the field of study and a mastery of the research skills and methods related to the field.
b) An ability to conceive, design or create, put into practice and adopt a substantial process of research or creation.
c) An ability to contribute to pushing back the frontiers of knowledge through original research.
d) A capacity for critical analysis and an ability to assess and summarise new and complex ideas.
e) An ability to communicate with the academic and scientific community and with society in general as regards their fields of knowledge in the manner and languages that are typical of the international scientific community to which they belong.
f) An ability to foster scientific, technological, social, artistic and cultural progress in academic and professional contexts within a knowledge-based society.

The award of a doctoral degree must equip the graduate for work in a variety of settings, especially those requiring creativity and innovation. Doctoral graduates must have at least acquired the personal skills needed to:

a) Develop in contexts in which there is little specific information.
b) Find the key questions that must be answered to solve a complex problem.
c) Design, create, develop and undertake original, innovative projects in their field.
d) Work as part of a team and independently in an international or multidisciplinary context.
e) Integrate knowledge, deal with complexity and make judgements with limited information.
f) Offer criticism on and intellectually defend solutions.

Finally, with respect to competencies, doctoral students must:
a) have acquired advanced knowledge at the frontier of their discipline and demonstrated, in the context of internationally recognised scientific research, a deep, detailed and well-grounded understanding of theoretical and practical issues and scientific methodology in one or more research fields;
b) have made an original and significant contribution to scientific research in their field of expertise that has been recognised as such by the international scientific community;
c) have demonstrated that they are capable of designing a research project that serves as a framework for carrying out a critical analysis and assessment of imprecise situations, in which they are able to apply their contributions, expertise and working method to synthesise new and complex ideas that yield a deeper knowledge of the research context in which they work;
d) have developed sufficient autonomy to set up, manage and lead innovative research teams and projects and scientific collaborations (both national and international) within their subject area, in multidisciplinary contexts and, where appropriate, with a substantial element of knowledge transfer;
e) have demonstrated that they are able to carry out their research activity in a socially responsible manner and with scientific integrity;
f) have demonstrated, within their specific scientific context, that they are able to make cultural, social or technological advances and promote innovation in all areas within a knowledge-based society;
g) have demonstrated that they are able to participate in scientific discussions at the international level in their field of expertise and disseminate the results of their research activity to audiences of all kinds.

Number of places

10

Duration of studies and dedication regime

Duration
The maximum period of study for full-time doctoral studies is three years, counted from the date of admission to the programme to the date of submission of the doctoral thesis. The academic committee of the doctoral programme may authorise a doctoral candidate to pursue doctoral studies on a part-time basis. In this case, the maximum period of study is five years, counting from the date of admission to the programme to the date of submission of the doctoral thesis. For calculating these periods, the date of admission is considered to be the date of the first enrolment for tutorials, and the date of submission the moment in which the Doctoral School officially deposits the doctoral thesis.

For full-time doctoral candidates, the minimum period of study is two years, counted from the date of an applicant's admission to the programme until the date on which the doctoral thesis is deposited; for part-time doctoral candidates it is four years. When there are justified grounds for doing so, and the thesis supervisor and academic tutor have given their authorisation, doctoral candidates may request that the academic committee of their doctoral programme exempt them from the minimum period of study requirement.

The calculation of periods of study will not include periods of absence due to illness, pregnancy or any other reason provided for in the regulations in force. Students who find themselves in any of these circumstances must notify the academic committee of the doctoral programme, which, where appropriate, must inform the Doctoral School. Doctoral candidates may also temporarily withdraw from the programme for up to one year, and this period may be extended for an additional year. Doctoral candidates who wish to interrupt their studies must submit a justified request to the academic committee of the doctoral programme, which will decide whether or not to approve the request. Each programme will establish conditions for readmission to doctoral studies.

Extension
If full-time doctoral candidates have not applied to deposit their thesis by the end of the three-year period of study, the academic committee of the programme may authorise an extension of up to one year. In exceptional circumstances, a further one-year extension may be granted, subject to the conditions established by the corresponding doctoral programme. In the case of part-time doctoral candidates, an extension of two years may be authorised. In both cases, in exceptional circumstances a further one-year extension may be granted by the Doctoral School's Standing Committee, upon the submission of a reasoned application by the academic committee of the doctoral programme.

Dismissal from the doctoral programme
A doctoral candidate may be dismissed from a doctoral programme for the following reasons:

• The doctoral candidate submitting a justified application to withdraw from the programme.
• The maximum period of study and of extensions thereof ending.
• The doctoral candidate not having enrolled every academic year (unless he or she has been authorised to temporarily withdraw).
• The doctoral candidate failing two consecutive assessments.
• The doctoral candidate having disciplinary proceedings filed against him or her that rule that he or she must be dismissed from the UPC.

Dismissal from the programme implies that doctoral candidates cannot continue studying at the UPC and the closing of their academic record. This notwithstanding, they may apply to the academic committee of the programme for readmission and the committee must reevaluate them in accordance with the criteria established in the regulations.

Organization

• Achaerandio Puente, Isabel

• Carbo Moliner, Rosa
• Claramunt Blanes, Jose
• Gil Moya, Emilio
• Marine Verges, Montserrat
• Masalo Llora, Ingrid
• Sepulcre Sanchez, Francisco Luis
• Sorribas Royo, Xavier

Universities with joint supervision agreements:

• Lebanese University, Lebanon

• Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Brazil

• Department of Agri-Food Engineering and Biotechnology (PROMOTORA)
• Department of Chemical Engineering

doctorat.deab@upc.edu

Agreements with other institutions

• The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)

• The Institute for Research and Technology in Food and Agriculture (IRTA)

Access profile

This doctoral programme has a decidedly multidisciplinary nature, and as such, degrees that will grant holders admission to our study programme are varied.

Given the reorganisation and changes that affected master’s programmes, currently, holders of the following degrees are considered to be the most appropriate for admission into the doctoral programme in Agri-Food Technology and Biotechnology: a master’s degree in Agricultural Engineering, a master’s degree in Aquiculture or a master’s degree in Improving Plant Genetics, all of which are offered at the UPC through joint programmes.

In addition to these profiles, and due to the markedly multidisciplinary nature of this programme, graduates from degree programmes focusing on sciences and technologies involving food, agri-food engineering, life sciences or biological systems may also be admitted to the programme, pending their passing of the corresponding master’s programme or 60 ECTS-worth of master’s courses.

Interest in experimental laboratory and/or field work and the ability to work in a team, as well as having critical and analytical abilities and initiative, are relevant aspects that will influence whether or not applicants are admitted.

Access requirements

Applicants must hold a Spanish bachelor’s degree or equivalent and a Spanish master’s degree or equivalent, provided they have completed a minimum of 300 ECTS credits on the two degrees (Royal Decree 43/2015, of 2 February)

In addition, the following may apply:

• Holders of an official degree awarded by a university in Spain or any other country in the European Higher Education Area, pursuant to the provisions of Article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/2007, of 29 October, which establishes official university course regulations, who have completed a minimum of 300 ECTS credits on official university degrees, of which at least 60 must be at the master's degree level.
• Holders of an official Spanish bachelor’s degree comprising at least 300 credits, as provided for by EU regulations. Holder of degrees of this kind must complete bridging courses unless the curriculum of the bachelor’s degree in question included research training credits equivalent in value to those which would be earned on a master's degree.
• Holders of an official university qualification who, having passed the entrance examination for specialised medical training, have completed at least two years of a training course leading to an official degree in a health-sciences specialisation.
• Holders of a degree issued under a foreign education system. In these cases, homologation is not required, but the UPC must verify that the degree certifies a level of training equivalent to an official Spanish master's degree and qualifies the holder for admission to doctoral studies in the country where it was issued. Admission on this basis does not imply homologation of the foreign degree or its recognition for any purpose other than admission to doctoral studies.
• Holders of a Spanish doctoral qualification issued under previous university regulations.

Note 1: Doctoral studies entrance regulations for holders of an undergraduate degree awarded before the introduction of the EHEA (CG 47/02 2014)

Note 2: Governing Council Decision 64/2014, which approves the procedure and criteria for assessing the fulfilment of academic admission requirements for doctoral studies by holders of non-homologated foreign degrees (CG 25/03 2014)

Admission criteria and merits assessment

Specific admission requirements
Degrees that grant holders admission directly (and do not require bridging courses) are:
• Master’s degrees in Agricultural Engineering (UdL-UPC-URV-UdG)
• Master’s degrees in Aquaculture (UPC-U. of Barcelona)
• Master’s degrees in Improving Plant Genetics (UPC-U. Politècnica de València)

Graduates and engineers must accredit having taken all of the credits needed to attain a master’s degree.

Candidates are required to have at least a B2 (Vantage) level of English as per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, this is equivalent to the British Council’s First Certificate in English (FCE).

If applicants request a specific subject matter for their doctoral thesis, they will be supervised by a coordinator from the corresponding research group in order to ensure that the project is feasible and provide them with the most ideal supervisor for their thesis. In these cases, admission decisions will take into consideration the suggested supervisors’ feedback. In the following meeting, the doctoral programme’s Academic Committee shall make a final admission decision, assign a supervisor and, if necessary, define required bridging courses.

For applicants who do not specify a particular field of research, the coordinator will provide them with information and counsel them about the possibilities offered by the different research groups associated with the programme. Then, the coordinator will inform the Academic Committee about the application, and, taking into account the applicant’s educational background and his/her expectations and interests, the Committee will make an admission decision and assign a thesis supervisor who will, if necessary, suggest what bridging courses the applicant should take.

Criteria for assessing merits and weighting
Of the documentation turned in with every application, the Academic Committee will first consider whether there is clear evidence that the applicant’s academic background is in line with the area of research in which he/she wishes to carry out his/her thesis. Of almost equal importance is the applicant’s academic transcript and his/her ability to obtain funding through a grant. Thirdly, the Academic Committee will consider the applicant’s previous research experience as well as his/her motivation and readiness. Finally, knowledge of languages, in addition to English, will be positively considered.

In order to carry out an objective assessment, we more strictly define the parameters as follows:
• Weighting of conformity between academic background and area of research: 30%.
• Weighting of academic transcript: 35%.
• Weighting of motivation: 10%.
• Weighting of knowledge of other languages: 10%.
• Weighting of research experience: 15%.

Training complements

The academic committee for the programme may require that doctoral students pass specific bridging courses. In this case, the Committee will monitor the bridging courses and set up appropriate criteria to limit their length.

The courses shall involve training in research, but in no case will candidates be required to enrol in 60 or more ECTS credits (as per the academic regulations for doctoral studies, bridging courses could also include transversal education, but this is likely to be changed to include only research-related credits, especially in cases of 300-ECTS-credit doctoral programmes).

Depending on the doctoral student activity report, the programme’s Academic Committee may propose measures, in addition to those established by current regulations, that would disassociate candidates who do not meet the established requisites.

The Academic Committee of the doctoral programme in Agri-Food Technology and Biotechnology finds that those meeting the aforementioned admission requirements will not have to take any bridging courses.

If the academic committee or assigned thesis supervisor feels that the candidate should take bridging courses, and considering the multidisciplinary nature of this programme, they will require coursework be taken, basically from the master’s programmes in areas related to biosystems engineering, the environment and sustainability and natural resources, or from the master’s programme in Biomedical Engineering, the master’s programme in Chemical Engineering or some other related programme depending on the research lines covered by the candidate’s doctoral thesis, his/her professional and educational background, and required bridging courses

Enrolment period for new doctoral students

Between September and April.

More information at the registration section for new doctoral students

Enrolment period

That which is established by the Doctoral School.

More information at the general registration section

Procedure for the preparation and defense of the research plan

Doctoral candidates must submit a research plan, which will be included in their doctoral student activity report, before the end of the first year. The plan may be improved over the course of the doctoral degree. It must be endorsed by the tutor and the supervisor, and it must include the method that is to be followed and the aims of the research.

At least one of these annual assessments will include a public presentation and defence of the research plan and work done before a committee composed of three doctoral degree holders, which will be conducted in the manner determined by each academic committee. The examination committee awards a Pass or Fail mark. A Pass mark is a prerequisite for continuing on the doctoral programme. Doctoral candidates awarded a Fail mark must submit a new research plan for assessment by the academic committee of the doctoral programme within six months.

The committee assesses the research plan every year, in addition to all of the other activities in the doctoral student activity report. Doctoral candidates who are awarded two consecutive Fail marks for the research plan will be obliged to definitely withdraw from the programme.

If they change the subject of their thesis, they must submit a new research plan.

Formation activities

Activity: Tutorial.
Hours: 288.
Type: compulsory.

Activity: Mobility.
Hours: 480.
Type: optional.

Activity: Assessment based on doctoral student activity report (DAD) and research plan.
Hours: 4.
Type: compulsory.

Activity: Training in information skills.
Hours: 1.5.
Type: optional.

Activity: Research methodology.
Hours: 12.
Type: optional.

Activity: Innovation and creativity.
Hours: 8.
Type: optional.

Activity: Language and communication skills.
Hours: 18.
Type: optional.

Activity: Courses and seminars.
Hours: 40.
Type: optional.

Activity: Workshops.
Hours: 10.
Type: optional.

Activity: Publications.
Hours: 150.
Type: compulsory.

Before turning in their theses, candidates must prove that they have been the lead author on at least one article that has been published or accepted in a high-impact journal.

Procedure for assignment of tutor and thesis director

The academic committee of the doctoral programme assigns a thesis supervisor to each doctoral candidate when they are admitted or enrol for the first time, taking account of the thesis supervision commitment referred to in the admission decision.

The thesis supervisor will ensure that training activities carried out by the doctoral candidate are coherent and suitable, and that the topic of the candidate’s doctoral thesis will have an impact and make a novel contribution to knowledge in the relevant field. The thesis supervisor will also guide the doctoral candidate in planning the thesis and, if necessary, tailoring it to any other projects or activities undertaken. The thesis supervisor will generally be a UPC professor or researcher who holds a doctoral degree and has documented research experience. This includes PhD-holding staff at associated schools (as determined by the Governing Council) and UPC-affiliated research institutes (in accordance with corresponding collaboration and affiliation agreements). When thesis supervisors are UPC staff members, they also act as the doctoral candidate’s tutor.

PhD holders who do not meet these criteria (as a result of their contractual relationship or the nature of the institution to which they are attached) must be approved by the UPC Doctoral School's Standing Committee in order to participate in a doctoral programme as researchers with documented research experience.

The academic committee of the doctoral programme may approve the appointment of a PhD-holding expert who is not a UPC staff member as a candidate’s thesis supervisor. In such cases, the prior authorisation of the UPC Doctoral School's Standing Committee is required. A UPC staff member who holds a doctoral degree and has documented research experience must also be proposed to act as a co-supervisor, or as the doctoral candidate’s tutor if one has not been assigned.

A thesis supervisor may step down from this role if there are justified reasons (recognised as valid by the committee) for doing so. If this occurs, the academic committee of the doctoral programme will assign the doctoral candidate a new thesis supervisor.

Provided there are justified reasons for doing so, and after hearing any relevant input from the doctoral candidate, the academic committee of the doctoral programme may assign a new thesis supervisor at any time during the period of doctoral study.

If there are academic reasons for doing so (an interdisciplinary topic, joint or international programmes, etc.) and the academic committee of the programme gives its approval, an additional thesis supervisor may be assigned. Supervisors and co-supervisors have the same responsibilities and academic recognition.

The maximum number of supervisors of a doctoral thesis is two: a supervisor and a co-supervisor.

For theses carried out under a cotutelle agreement or as part of an Industrial Doctorate, if necessary and if the agreement foresees it this maximum number of supervisors may not apply. This notwithstanding, the maximum number of supervisors belonging to the UPC is two.

More information at the PhD theses section

Permanence

The academic committee of the programme may authorise an extension of up to one year for full-time doctoral candidates who have not applied to deposit their thesis by the end of the three-year period of study, in the terms outlined in the Academic Regulations for Doctoral Studies of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. In the case of part-time candidates, an extension of two years may be authorised. In both cases, in exceptional circumstances a further one-year extension may be granted by the Doctoral School's Standing Committee, upon the submission of a reasoned application by the academic committee of the doctoral programme.

A doctoral candidate may be dismissed from a doctoral programme for the following reasons:

• The doctoral candidate submitting a justified application to withdraw from the programme.
• The maximum period of study and of extensions thereof ending.
• The doctoral candidate not having enrolled every academic year (unless he or she has been authorised to temporarily withdraw).
• The doctoral candidate failing two consecutive assessments.
• The doctoral candidate having disciplinary proceedings filed against him or her that rule that he or she must be dismissed from the UPC.

Dismissal from the programme implies that doctoral candidates cannot continue studying at the UPC and the closing of their academic record. This notwithstanding, they may apply to the academic committee of the programme for readmission and the committee must reevaluate them in accordance with the criteria established in the regulations.

International Mention

The doctoral degree certificate may include International Doctorate mention. In this case, the doctoral candidate must meet the following requirements:

a) During the period of study leading to the award of the doctoral degree, the doctoral candidate must have spent at least three months at a respected higher education institution or research centre outside Spain to complete courses or do research work. The stays and activities carried out must be endorsed by the thesis supervisor and authorised by the academic committee of the programme. The candidate must provide a certifying document issued by the person responsible for the research group of the body or bodies where the stay or activity was completed. This information will be added to the doctoral student’s activity report.
b) Part of the thesis (at least the summary and conclusions) must be written and presented in one of the languages commonly used for science communication in the relevant field of knowledge, which must not be an official language of Spain. This rule does not apply to stays and reports in Spanish or to experts from Spanish-speaking countries.
c) At least two PhD-holding experts belonging to a higher education institution or research centre outside Spain must have issued officially certified reports on the thesis.
d) The thesis examination committee must have included at least one PhD-holding expert from a higher education or research institution outside Spain who was not responsible for the candidate’s stay abroad (point a) above).
e) The thesis defence must have taken place on UPC premises or, in the case of joint programmes, at the location specified in the collaboration agreement.

List of authorized thesis for defense

Last update: 23/09/2023 04:45:29.

List of lodged theses

Last update: 23/09/2023 04:30:25.

List of defended theses by year

• BACHIR, NIVINE: Effect of Precursors and Thermal Processing on Acrylamide Formation in Synthetic Potato Models. Validation with potato cultivars
  
  Author: BACHIR, NIVINE
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN AGRI-FOOD TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
  Department: (DEAB)
  Mode: Change of supervisor
  Reading date: 28/07/2023
  Thesis director: HADDARA, AMIRA | PUJOLA CUNILL, MONTSERRAT | SEPULCRE SANCHEZ, FRANCISCO LUIS
  

  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: SALDO PERIAGO, JORDI
       SECRETARI: ACHAERANDIO PUENTE, MARIA ISABEL
       VOCAL NO PRESENCIAL: HASSAN, HUSSEIN
  Thesis abstract: Acrylamide is a toxic compound and is classified as a probable human carcinogen. In recent decades, international organizations have established levels of safety for ingestion due to its harmful effects endangering human health. It is found in a variety of commonly consumed foods, such as bread, baby snacks/food, and French fries/potato chips. The present thesis focused on formulating simple synthetic potato-based models with different combinations of amino acids and sugars to study in depth the interaction of acrylamide¿s precursors, the effect of temperature (170 and 190 ? ) and the method of cooking (deep frying vs air frying) on acrylamide formation after thermal treatment. Acrylamide, asparagine, and sugars were quantified using GC-FID, K-ASNAM kit, and HPLC; respectively. Results showed that reducing sugars (fructose and glucose) and asparagine were the major contributors to acrylamide formation after thermal processing. In addition, the synthetic prototype model of composition: (39-41%) water, (60%) potato starch, (0.07%) glucose, (0.04%) fructose, (0.11%) sucrose, (0.25%) glutamine, (0.6%) asparagine, (4.8%) sodium alginate, and agar-agar (1.2%) had the healthiest combination of sugars and amino acids after heat treatment since it does not contain acrylamide. We also highlighted the mitigation role played by glutamine in the synthetic models, which was also confirmed in our prototype model. All glutamine-based models as well as our prototype did not contain acrylamide, hence, glutamine was not considered a major contributor in Maillard reaction compared to other precursors. Moreover, sodium alginate showed to decrease the formation of acrylamide through the interference of sodium cation found in sodium alginate in the Maillard reaction steps. On the other hand, temperature did not have any statistical significance on acrylamide formation; contrarily to cooking technique where air frying significantly decreased the production of acrylamide compared to deep frying. Additionally, we applied the results obtained from simple models on potato cultivars (Agria, Kennebec, and Monalisa) in order to better understand these interactions but in real food matrix. Results revealed that all potato cultivars produced acrylamide after frying in different concentrations with the least amount detected in Monalisa.Following that, for the purpose of facilitating the prediction of acrylamide for the food industry sector, we opted at adopting NIR spectroscopy after validating the results with GC-FID, and allocating acrylamide peaks in potato products. Hence, peaks at around 4439-4477 cm-1 were found to be present in common amongst all the samples, hence corresponding to acrylamide peak (standard acrylamide peak: 4439 cm-1). Moreover, the relationships between acrylamide and acrylamide precursors in the raw form (before thermal treatment) were illustrated for the three potato cultivars for example in Monalisa potato cultivar the linear regression equation was (Acrylamide concentration (µg/kg)=Glutamine (80.28)+Asparagine (58.57)+Glucose (38.25)+Sucrose (107.36)+fructose (204.83)+(-284.98)).Finally, the proposed potato-starch based prototype might be considered as a healthy promising potato snack, along with the glutamine-based models; yet future work is needed to concentrate on their organoleptic characteristics.
  

• LÓPEZ MAS, LAURA: Understanding consumers' perceptions to stimulate aquaculture fish consumption in Europe
  
  Author: LÓPEZ MAS, LAURA
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN AGRI-FOOD TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
  Department: (DEAB)
  Mode: Article-based thesis
  Reading date: 20/07/2023
  Thesis director: GUERRERO ASOREY, LUIS | ROMERO DEL CASTILLO SHELLY, ROSER
  

  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: GINÉS RUIZ, RAFAEL
       SECRETARI: GIL ROIG, JOSE MARIA
       VOCAL: TÁRREGA GUILLEM, MARIA AMPARO
  Thesis abstract: Fish can play a crucial role in feeding the growing global population and providing it with essential nutrients. However, the world¿s fish stocks are limited and almost fully exploited. Consequently, aquaculture is regarded as the most suitable alternative to relieve pressures on wild-caught fish stocks. While wild fish enjoy a good reputation among European consumers, farmed fish still have their detractors. Consequently, it is crucial to understand consumers¿ perception of aquaculture fish to determine what is hindering its consumption to ensure the full development of the aquaculture sector in the European Union.The main objective of this doctoral thesis was to study, from various perspectives, consumers¿ perceptions of aquaculture fish and fish products to stimulate their consumption. To tackle the main objective, three different studies were carried out, each belonging to one of the three main factors influencing individuals¿ food choices: personal (beliefs), situation/environment (product variety), and product (packaging). The results of these studies and their implications should offer a substantive and rich picture of the actual fish consumers´ concerns and provide insights towards the same aim; favouring and stimulating aquaculture fish consumption by focussing on different consumer-driven strategies.The first strategy involved exploring consumers¿ beliefs when wild and farmed fish were compared to guide promotional and marketing campaigns for aquaculture fish. Two different online surveys in five European countries each were used to analyse general consumers¿ beliefs and those dealing with sustainability issues. Accordingly, different guidelines for designing informational and promotional campaigns have been provided to influence and drive consumers¿ beliefs.The second strategy was centred on generating novel ideas for new aquaculture fish products to increase the product variety on the market. A combination of creative and projective techniques was applied in six focus groups that were conducted in three European countries. The results showed that focus groups were useful in generating a pool of ideas. Likewise, focus groups were also useful for identifying key dimensions behind participants¿ discourses. Given that often the lack of diversity of fish products on the market may negatively affect its consumption, increasing the range of products can be highly relevant.Finally, the third strategy focused on optimising packaging. An online survey served to co-create two packaging designs. A second step using explicit and implicit techniques was used to validate the success of the co-creation process and test the co-created packaging against some of its possible competitors in the market. Results showed that the co-creation with consumers for the design of packaging seems particularly useful to increasing the products¿ impact on the market, thus attracting consumers¿ attention and enhancing their acceptability, which may lead to increased consumption of aquaculture fish products.The outcomes and insights captured within this doctoral thesis can be valuable in guiding the efforts of governments, administrations, producers, and other agents involved in the aquaculture sector towards the improvement of the image of farmed fish. All these efforts should facilitate the promotion of fish consumption and the full development of the aquaculture sector in the European Union.
  

• MATTAR, GHADEER: Obtaining, characterizing and studying the in vitro bioavailability of different cation complexations for food fortification
  
  Author: MATTAR, GHADEER
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN AGRI-FOOD TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
  Department: (DEAB)
  Mode: Change of supervisor
  Reading date: 21/07/2023
  Thesis director: HADDAD, JOSEPH | SEPULCRE SANCHEZ, FRANCISCO LUIS | HADDARA, AMIRA | PUJOLA CUNILL, MONTSERRAT
  

  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: GÜELL SAPERAS, CARME
       SECRETARI: COLL AUSIO, MARIA TERESA
       VOCAL NO PRESENCIAL: DANKAR, IMAN
  Thesis abstract: Although mineral chelates have been produced for more than 70 years, neither production methods nor optimum conditions are well specified. The solid evidence that the complexes are true chelates is still missing. In the present thesis, citric acid and glycine were chosen to produce iron complexes through crystallization using different molar ratios, to prove the occurrence of chelation and to specify the optimum conditions of these reactions. Quantitative results and qualitative spectral analyses, revealed that the obtained crystals are just impure crystals of ferrous sulfate in the citric acid samples and impure crystals of either glycine or ferrous sulfate or both in those of glycine depending on the molar ratio and pH. Thus crystallization and precipitation methods do not produce chelates. Since chelation could have occurred in the solution, and to accurately achieve our objectives, samples with seven different ratios within the solubility range were then prepared with citric acid or glycine. Citric acid iron samples were prepared at initial pH (around 1), whereas glycine samples were prepared at three different pH values (acidic pH=1, initial pH=4.5 and isoelectric pH=6). NIR was useful in proving chelation through three main peaks at 6800cm-1, 6370cm-1 and 5150cm-1 corresponding to free OH bonds, ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (dimerization) and C=O stretching and OH combinations respectively. For citric acid iron samples, results showed that the optimum ratio is 1:4 having no free citric acid while for glycine, combining NIR spectra with quantitative and qualitative HPLC results, the optimum ratio appeared to be 1:1 at initial pH having the most chelate proportion, followed by 1:3 and 1:4 ratios at isoelectric pH. The same study was conducted for citric acid complexes with zinc and magnesium preparing the same ratios. The same three peaks in the NIR spectra proved the chelation in solutions in which the optimum ratio for magnesium is the same as for iron 1:4, whereas for zinc is 1:2 and zinc chelation occurred in the presence of dimers. The bioavailability of the produced citric acid complexes with the three minerals (Fe, Zn, and Mg) was also determined in all the samples to correlate results with the structural characteristics. Chelates of iron (1:4) and zinc (1:2) are the samples to deliver the highest amount of each mineral and are 2.3 and 1.62 times more bioavailable than ferrous sulfate and zinc sulfate respectively. The enhancing capacity of citric acid was reduced upon dimerization. All magnesium samples on the other hand, showed similar bioavailability both within different ratios and with magnesium sulfate, thus suggesting another method to evaluate the potential of magnesium chelate to be transported into the tissue. Interaction of the three minerals and their effect on bioavailability was also studied to compare between sulfate form and citric acid chelate form of each. Samples prepared using the mineral sulfates showed that in all the combinations containing magnesium, both iron and zinc were totally inhibited however in the absence of magnesium, the two minerals exhibited intense mutual inhibition. Same behavior was observed in samples containing minerals in the chelate form, but the extent of inhibition was much less. Despite inhibition, all mineral chelates still had good bioavailability values (up to 52% compared to 6.7% for sulfates), thus promoting their use in double/triple fortification. The effect of four different foods on the bioavailability of citric acid iron chelate 1:4 was also investigated and compared with ferrous sulfate. Results demonstrated the outperformance of the chelate in the three media cocoa milk shake and both kinds of milk by factors of 1.5, 1.64, and 1.57. Conversely in orange juice both iron forms had similar bioavailability due to presence of enhancers. Therefore, in a challenging medium rich in inhibitors the chelate excels other iron forms.
  

• MIRAZIMI, FARNAZ SADAT: Personalized meal by using different proteins based on 3D printing
  
  Author: MIRAZIMI, FARNAZ SADAT
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN AGRI-FOOD TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
  Department: (DEAB)
  Mode: Normal
  Reading date: 19/04/2023
  Thesis director: SALDO PERIAGO, JORDI | PUJOLA CUNILL, MONTSERRAT
  

  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: CAPELLAS PUIG, MARTA
       SECRETARI: MINGUELLA CANELA, JOAQUIM
       VOCAL: SAGUER HOM, MARIA ELENA
  Thesis abstract: Currently, the use of 3D printing technology in the food sector is being considered, which can improve or displace some of the traditional methods of food manufacturing. The 3D printing market has grown significantly and is poised to grow in line with the digitization and robotization of manufacturing. This technology can allow relocation of food preparation and personalize diets adapting them to the personal needs of everyone (malnutrition, swallowing problems, diets for the elderly, athletes, children, pregnant women...). On the other hand, we find ourselves with the problem of the scarcity of resources due to population growth and obtaining food through current production systems that will need to be revised to reduce the carbon footprint and energy consumption. Another factor to consider is also the waste generated during production, transformation and consumption. The use of personalized nutritional formulations from printable ingredients could be a solution, although it is still a challenge.The main objective has been to design different formulations of protein-enriched mashed potatoes for personalized diets. For this, different formulations of mashed potato enriched with soy protein (SPAH) were designed at different concentrations (3%, 5% and 7%) together with 0.2% agar to study their ability to be printable for using by people with dysphagia. In addition, the effect of different proteins (soy, cricket and egg albumin) at concentrations of 3% and 5% in the formulation was evaluated through the evaluation of their rheological characteristics (viscosity, thixotropy, creep and viscoelastic behavior), textural characteristics (TPA (Texture Profile Analysis), force of extrusion and back-extrusion), ability to be printed and sensory characteristics (hedonic and sensory evaluation).Of all the formulations tested, it was obtained that the best capacity to be printed was achieved in the sample with 5% soy protein and 0.2% agar, which presented values of yield stress (1489 Pa) and storage modulus (1352 Pa. s). All the samples of puree enriched with SPAH presented a noticeable increase in viscosity and elastic limit, which favors its impression.According to the IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardization Initiative) test, all samples (with SPAH and agar) were suitable for use in people with dysphagia problems. On the other hand, it was observed in all the formulations used that not only the rheological properties such as yield stress and viscoelastic behavior, but also the texture test, such as force of extrusion and back-extrusion, can be correlated with printability. The force of extrusion test with firmness and consistency results in a minimum range of (0.03 N) and (0.40 N·s) respectively, allow favorable 3D printing. Of the formulations used, those containing soy and cricket protein with values of firmness and consistency between the range of (0.03 ¿0.04 N) and (0.40¿0.52 N·s), respectively, presented great stability even for complex shapes. while the formulations with egg albumin could not achieve this stability due to the fact that the interlocking networks were very weak, presenting significantly lower rheological and textural values. The puree enriched with cricket protein and SPAH showed good mechanical properties for printing and self-supporting, but SPAH protein was not acceptable due to the taste and odor induced by the acid hydrolysis process, but in most cases the attributes sensory (firmness, thickness, smoothness, rate of breakdown, adhesive, and difficulty swallowing) were positively correlated with instrumental parameters and 3D printing. In conclusion, in this thesis, it has been shown that the enrichment of mashed potatoes with different proteins (soy, cricket) for 3D printing is feasible. This allows the customization of fortified foods for people with special needs.
  

• SORIANO GONZÁLEZ, JESÚS: Improving monitoring and management of low-lying coastal areas with Sentinel-2 data: The Ebro Delta showcase
  
  Author: SORIANO GONZÁLEZ, JESÚS
  Thesis file: (contact the Doctoral School to confirm you have a valid doctoral degree and to get the link to the thesis)
  Programme: DOCTORAL DEGREE IN AGRI-FOOD TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
  Department: (DEAB)
  Mode: Normal
  Reading date: 28/04/2023
  Thesis director: LUZI, GUIDO | ALCARAZ CAZORLA, CARLOS
  

  Committee:
       PRESIDENT: CABALLERO DE FRUTOS, ISABEL
       SECRETARI: JIMENEZ QUINTANA, JOSE ANTONIO
       VOCAL: PALOMAR VÁZQUEZ, JESÚS MANUEL
  Thesis abstract: Coastal areas support important ecosystems with great ecological value, giving rise to countless resources increasingly exploited by humans. Understanding the processes occurring in both inland and aquatic ecosystems, as well as their mutual interactions, and with anthropic activities is required. In this line, the new generation of high-resolution multispectral Sentinel satellites (Sentinel-2; S2) extend the capabilities for the integrated monitoring of coastal areas thanks to their spatial and temporal resolutions (up to 10 m and 5 days). However, global remote sensing issues/limitations (e.g., cloud screening, spectral mixing, atmospheric correction) and regional-specific characteristics (e.g., involved ecosystems, economic fabric, interlinkages), make up challenges of diverse nature. The basis of the research presented in this thesis is to explore the potential of S2 for the monitoring of coastal areas, and the associated technical and scientific questions. The work is focused on the processing of S2 imagery for characterizing Ebro Delta (Spain) coastal features and their dynamics, involving aquaculture, agriculture, spatial planning, environmental monitoring, and preparedness for natural hazards. From atmospheric correction and image pre-processing (first steps) to data modelling and analysis (last steps), a number of technical and scientific challenges have been addressed.In coastal waters, different atmospheric correction levels, processors, spectral combinations, and statistical models have been used for mapping water quality (i.e., chlorophyll-a, Secchi disk depth) and macrophytes (i.e., seagrass, macroalgae). For estimating chlorophyll-a (proxy of phytoplankton biomass), the best results were obtained using simple ratios including visible and/or red-edge bands applied to Rayleigh or full-atmospheric corrected imagery, by fitting either linear or 2nd-degree polynomial (MAE ~ 0.6 mg/m3), obtaining time series which allowed to relate the distribution of phytoplankton with the environmental and anthropic forcing. The relationship between Secchi disk depth and light attenuation products (r > 0.75) demonstrated the feasibility of monitoring water clarity with S2. In relation to the estimation of macrophytes coverage, machine-learning supervised classification of S2 VIS-NIR composites was used for assessing the spatial coverage of seagrass and macroalgae communities in shallow waters, unveiling a negative impact of agricultural runoff on macrophytes¿ communities. Inland, an automatic method was developed based on the identification of key points in the combined temporal profiles of three common vegetation and land surface water indexes for the extraction of rice phenological metrics, irrigation management, and crop yield proxy. The results provided information on significant rice phenological stages and field status (e.g., rice maturity, hydroperiod), also showing that crop yield is better estimated during the rice heading period (r = - 0.8). Finally, for assessing storms¿ effects with S2, a combined flooding-water quality monitoring method was defined and implemented, reaffirming the capabilities of S2 for depicting the different grades of land and aquatic environments¿ resilience.The conducted research has been applied to the estimation of phytoplankton biomass at coastal bays (aquaculture), the generation of information on crop dynamics and management (agriculture), the assessment of agriculture runoff disturbance in coastal waters (environmental monitoring), and the characterization of storms¿ effects on land and water ecosystems (natural hazards). A work that brings the application of satellite image processing to scientists, engineers, coastal managers, and stakeholders by providing results that demonstrate the usefulness of these viable and low-cost techniques for high-quality coastal monitoring.
  

Last update: 23/09/2023 05:01:38.

Research groups

• BIOCOM-SC-Computational Biology and Complex Systems Group
• CREDA-Centre for Agrifood Economics and Development
• GINEMQUAL-Gestio Integrada de Nematodes Fitoparasits i dels Efectes sobre el Rendiment i Qualitat de la Collita
• SPAq-Aquaculture Production Systems
• UMA-Sustainable Agriculture and Food Quality

FMA. Ref. 2017 SGR 00017. Fundació Miquel Agustí

Teachers

• Achaerandio Puente, Isabel
• Alfranca Burriel, Oscar
• Cañameras Riba, Nuria
• Carbo Moliner, Rosa
• Garriga Sole, Pere
• Gil Moya, Emilio
• Gras Moreu, Anna Maria
• Izquierdo Figarola, Jordi
• Kallas Calot, Zein
• Mas Serra, Maite
• Oca Baradad, Joan
• Perez Gonzalez, Juan Jesus
• Pujola Cunill, Montserrat
• Reig Puig, Lourdes
• Romero del Castillo Shelly, Roser
• Sepulcre Sanchez, Francisco Luis
• Serrano Porta, Lidia
• Sorribas Royo, Xavier
• Verdu Gonzalez, Amc

• Simo Cruanyes, Joan