Projects
Spotting and spreading of a fungal parasite on a globally invasive ladybird: explaining its worldwide distribution and biocontrol potential Ghent University
The harlequin ladybird, Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera, Coccinellidae), is one of the worst invasive species in Europe. Originally from eastern Asia, it was introduced as biocontrol in North America, it has since spread over the rest of the world and has a negative effect on native insects as well as food production and human health. The ectoparasitic fungus Hesperomyces harmoniae nom. prov. (Ascomycota, Laboulbeniomycetes, Laboulbeniales) is ...
Study of the endogenous structure determining potential of vegetables and fruits in the context of split stream processing. KU Leuven
Valorization of landscape residues: The potential of heathland and forest management residues for the ornamental sector in Flanders, Belgium KU Leuven
CH 1 - Since the industrial revolution, artificial fertilizers were essential in our farming systems. However, paradoxically, different regions in Northwestern Europe cope with nutrient surpluses. Flanders, in Belgium, is one of these regions. Actual world challenges accelerate the need for a transition towards a more sustainable bioeconomy. One aspect is the valorization of waste streams. While amounts of biomass are produced by different ...
Potential of Pervaporation for the Conversion of a Methyl Acetate-methanol Waste into N-butyl Acetate KU Leuven
In order to study the technical viability of using pervaporation in the industrial transesterification reaction of methyl acetate to n-butyl acetate, a feed solution with ~16 mole% methyl acetate in methanol was chosen. This mixture (called MM20 in the literature) is typically found as a waste stream produced by the polyvinyl alcohol industry.
Being a waste, the MM20 stream is an un-expensive reagent and its conversion can be ...
Potential of processing to modify flavour of single and mixed vegetable systems KU Leuven
Due to the consumer demand, food industries have shown an increased interest in the production of healthier, more natural and more tasty vegetable-based products. In that context, a major challenge is to (re)design the manufacturing processes of such food products in order to comply with the increasingly important requested criteria. Flavour is one of the most important quality attributes in foods affecting consumers’ acceptance. The flavour ...
Assessment of potential in the context of work: Toward a theory of temporality and age-graded patterns KU Leuven
From Aristotle’s classic Nicomachean Ethics to Abraham Maslow’s more recent Theory on Human Motivation, the realization of human potential has long appealed to the imagination of scholars in various disciplines. Today, the notion of self-actualization has developed into the ideal of Western societies (Twenge, 2014). This ideal is particularly visible in the context of work where jobs are portrayed as opportunities for ...
Zeta potential characterisation of colloidal particles in dispersion and of solid surfaces KU Leuven
Exploring the endogenous potential of microalgae in fruit and vegetable processing KU Leuven
Microalgae are considered promising functional food ingredients due to their balanced composition, containing various (essential) nutrients as well as health-beneficial components. However, their functionality in food products might not be limited to health aspects, as microalgae could also play a structuring role in food. Microalgae are actually rich in structural biopolymers such as proteins, storage polysaccharides, and cell wall related ...