News

Apple growers can stem costly post-harvest spoilage losses by up to 20 per cent by applying a natural compound in orchards, according to a new University of Guelph study.

The study found that applying hexanal to apples pre-harvest helps curb losses from a condition called “bitter pit,” impairing fruit appearance and flavour, especially in the Honeycrisp cultivar that normally fetches a premium in the grocery produce section, said Dr. Jay Subramanian, a professor in the Ontario Agricultural College.

To celebrate the December break, we've compiled a list of activities to try this winter, recommended by OAC community members. Thank you to everyone who provided suggestions!

Katherine is pursuing a PhD in Food Science. She is part of the Food Science Graduate Club and works as a teaching assistant (TA) with the Department of Food Science. She plans to continue with research focused on plant proteins and interface science for applications in the food, pharmaceutical, or cannabis industries after graduation.

Stephen Dawoud, an animal biology student, is passionate about studying and working with animals. In his free time, Stephen is involved with the Animal Biology Student Association (ABSA) and enjoys playing musical instruments. After graduation Stephen hopes to continue his education in veterinary medicine.

Clarissa, a food and agricultural business student, jumped right into all the University of Guelph and OAC has to offer. During her time on campus, Clarissa has been a part of the cheerleading team, held various roles on the College Royal executive team, and been actively involved in OAC events. Clarissa still finds time to balance school work and activities with fun and relaxation. She plans to pursue a career in agri-marketing and communications after graduation.

ENVS*3330 is a flexible environmental internship opportunity that combines a course credit with a 40-hour unpaid internship. This course is offered to environmental science students, who are looking to pursue a career in the environmental sector. Experiential learning is a great way for students to gain work experience and get their foot in the door to the workforce relevant to their field of interest. This course includes synchronous and asynchronous components with lectures on career building skills and preparation.

Dec. 5 is World Soil Day, a day targeted towards raising awareness about the importance of soil health and sustainable soil management.

Soil health and sustainable soil management is an ongoing focus for several University of Guelph researchers and their work aimed at soil conservation has become increasingly important in countering the risk of climate change impacts while growing enough food for the planet.

Mandy enjoys the scenery and slower pace in Guelph compared to her experience living in the city of Toronto. She was able to combine her passion for food, science, and business by taking the Food Industry Management program and gained hands-on experience during her co-op term. She is involved in the campus community at U of G and plans to make an impact in the food industry after graduation.

With growing public concern over the welfare of captive animals, a first-ever code of practice for farmed fish will help ensure that Canadian farmers meet acceptable husbandry standards and remain globally competitive, says a University of Guelph researcher who helped develop the new guidelines.

“Food is health, you are what you eat, and people should know that.” says Hala Amer, a PhD candidate in the Department of Food Science.

Hala is an international student from Egypt, where she completed her undergraduate and master’s degrees in food science with a focus on product development.

After learning about her family’s history of diabetes and high blood pressure and seeing their challenges, she decided to dig deeper into researching the nutritional aspects of food.