Dr. Qiang Liu

Image Qiang Liu
Research Scientist

Starch and Bioplastic

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
93 Stone Rd W, Guelph, ON N1G 5C9

Current research and/or projects

Dr. Liu’s research is focused on applying established scientific concepts to understand how changes in the physical, chemical and nutritional properties of starch/protein materials (derived from various Canadian grown plant crops) occur as they are subjected to different processing conditions for food and non-food applications; the factors influencing glycemic index of Pulse and Potato; starch and modified starch, plant protein for bioplastic and pharmaceutical applications. His research provided important technical support to Canada’s agriculture sector and offered critical expertise in relation to the use of plant biopolymer in food processing, bio-based materials, and influenced the direction-making on research and development of agriculture sector and its industry. His newly established bioplastic lab is now fully capable of conducting a national program in bioplastic with well-recognized expertise and modern infrastructure to address government research priority on bioproducts.

Research and/or project statements

  • Canadian pulse starch as a clean label food ingredient and viable alternative to current commercial starches for food uses
  • Characterization and enhanced release of bioactives in pulse/grain processing by-products for novel functional food ingredients with greater bioavailability and health benefits
  • Understanding and revitalizing the Indigenous Three Sisters-based cropping systems in support of nutrition
  • Design of sustainable agricultural mulch film using Biocarbon and other biopolymers as feedstocks for agriculture system

Professional activities / interests

  • Starch chemistry: structure, functional properties and food applications
  • Starch structure modification for nutritional and industrial applications
  • Resistant starch and low glycemic index starch from Canadian grown crops
  • Plant polymers-based bioplastics and biocomposites: formulation, processing, characterization and industrial applications

Education and awards

Ph.D. Food Science & Technology, Laval University

M.Eng. Polymer, East China University of Science and Technology, China

B.Eng. Polymer Composites, East China University of Science and Technology, China

International experience and/or work

Post-Doctoral Associate, Dept. of Material Sci. & Eng., 7/98-6/99, The Pennsylvania State University, PA, USA

Post-Doctoral Associate, Dept. of Food Science, 6/97-6/98, The Pennsylvania State University, PA, USA

Lecturer and assistant professor, Dept. of Polymer Materials, 8/84 - 8/92, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China

Key publications

  1. Dupuis, J.H., Liu, Q., Yada, R.Y. (2014). Methodologies for Increasing the Resistant Starch Content of Food Starches: A Review. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, [online] 13(6), 1219-1234. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12104

    2014 - View publication details

  2. Zhang, B., Deng, Z., Tang, Y., Chen, P., Liu, R., Ramdath, D.D., Liu, Q., Hernandez, M., Tsao, R. (2014). Fatty acid, carotenoid and tocopherol compositions of 20 Canadian lentil cultivars and synergistic contribution to antioxidant activities. Food Chemistry, [online] 161 296-304. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.04.014

    2014 - View publication details

  3. Maaran, S., Hoover, R., Donner, E., Liu, Q. (2014). Composition, structure, morphology and physicochemical properties of lablab bean, navy bean, rice bean, tepary bean and velvet bean starches. Food Chemistry, [online] 152 491-499. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.12.014

    2014 - View publication details

  4. Chung, H.J., Li, X.Q., Kalinga, D., Lim, S.T., Yada, R., Liu, Q. (2014). Physicochemical properties of dry matter and isolated starch from potatoes grown in different locations in Canada. Food Research International, [online] 57 89-94. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2014.01.034

    2014 - View publication details

  5. Ambigaipalan, P., Hoover, R., Donner, E., Liu, Q. (2014). Starch chain interactions within the amorphous and crystalline domains of pulse starches during heat-moisture treatment at different temperatures and their impact on physicochemical properties. Food Chemistry, [online] 143 175-184. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2013.07.112

    2014 - View publication details

  6. Zhang, Y., Rempel, C., Liu, Q. (2014). Thermoplastic Starch Processing and Characteristics-A Review. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, [online] 54(10), 1353-1370. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2011.636156

    2014 - View publication details

  7. Ambigaipalan, P., Hoover, R., Donner, E., Liu, Q. (2013). Retrogradation characteristics of pulse starches. Food Research International, [online] 54(1), 203-212. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2013.06.012

    2013 - View publication details

  8. He, G.J., Liu, Q., Thompson, M.R. (2013). Characterization of structure and properties of thermoplastic potato starch film surface cross-linked by UV irradiation. Starch, [online] 65(3-4), 304-311. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/star.201200097

    2013 - View publication details

  9. Zhang, Y., Liu, Q., Hrymak, A., Han, J.H. (2013). Characterization of Extruded Thermoplastic Starch Reinforced by Montmorillonite Nanoclay. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, [online] 21(1), 122-131. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10924-012-0528-0

    2013 - View publication details

  10. Shalviri, A., Chan, H.K., Raval, G., Abdekhodaie, M.J., Liu, Q., Heerklotz, H., Wu, X.Y. (2013). Design of pH-responsive nanoparticles of terpolymer of poly(methacrylic acid), polysorbate 80 and starch for delivery of doxorubicin. Colloids and Surfaces B, Biointerfaces, [online] 101 405-413. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfb.2012.07.015

    2013 - View publication details

  11. Oza, H., Thompson, M.R., Hrymak, A.N., and Liu, Q. (2012). "Influence of di-functional versus multi-functional chain extenders on the foamability of a potato starch-based biopolymer.", Starch, 64(12), pp. 944-954. doi : 10.5740/jaoacint.CS2012-04

    2012 - View publication details

  12. Fan, M.Z., Archbold, T., Lackeyram, D., Liu, Q., Mine, Y., Paliyath, G. (2012). Consumption of guar gum and retrograded high-amylose corn resistant starch increases IL-10 abundance without affecting pro-inflammatory cytokines in the colon of pigs fed a high-fat diet. Journal of Animal Science, [online] 90(SUPPL4), 278-280. http://dx.doi.org/10.2527/jas.54006

    2012 - View publication details

  13. Shalviri, A., Raval, G., Prasad, P., Chan, C., Liu, Q., Heerklotz, H., Rauth, A.M., Wu, X.Y. (2012). PH-Dependent doxorubicin release from terpolymer of starch, polymethacrylic acid and polysorbate 80 nanoparticles for overcoming multi-drug resistance in human breast cancer cells. European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, [online] 82(3), 587-597. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpb.2012.09.001

    2012 - View publication details

  14. Pinhero, R., Pazhekattu, R., Whitfield, K., Marangoni, A.G., Liu, Q., Yada, R.Y. (2012). Effect of genetic modification and storage on the physico-chemical properties of potato dry matter and acrylamide content of potato chips. Food Research International, [online] 49(1), 7-14. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2012.07.013

    2012 - View publication details

  15. Chen, D., Lawton, D., Thompson, M.R., Liu, Q. (2012). Biocomposites reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals derived from potato peel waste. Carbohydrate Polymers, [online] 90(1), 709-716. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2012.06.002

    2012 - View publication details

  16. Zhang, Y., Yuan, X., Thompson, M.R., Liu, Q. (2012). Characterization of extruded film based on thermoplastic potato flour. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, [online] 125(4), 3250-3258. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/app.36505

    2012 - View publication details

  17. Lu, Z.H., Donner, E., Yada, R.Y., Liu, Q. (2012). The synergistic effects of amylose and phosphorus on rheological, thermal and nutritional properties of potato starch and gel. Food Chemistry, [online] 133(4), 1214-1221. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.07.029

    2012 - View publication details

  18. Lu, Z.H., Donner, E., Yada, R.Y., Liu, Q. (2012). Impact of γ-irradiation, CIPC treatment, and storage conditions on physicochemical and nutritional properties of potato starches. Food Chemistry, [online] 133(4), 1188-1195. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.07.028

    2012 - View publication details

  19. Zhang, Y., Yuan, X., Liu, Q., Hrymak, A. (2012). The Effect of Polymeric Chain Extenders on Physical Properties of Thermoplastic Starch and Polylactic Acid Blends. Journal of Polymers and the Environment, [online] 20(2), 315-325. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10924-011-0368-3

    2012 - View publication details

  20. Wang, G., Thompson, M.R., Liu, Q. (2012). Controlling the moisture absorption capacity in a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic starch using sodium trimetaphosphate. Industrial Crops and Products, [online] 36(1), 299-303. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.indcrop.2011.10.015

    2012 - View publication details

Contact

Research facility

Guelph Research and Development Centre
93 Stone Road West
Guelph, ON N1G 5C9
Canada

Expertise

Agriculture›Agri-Food
Agriculture›Bioproducts
Agriculture›Food Science›Starch-based functional food bioproducts
Agriculture›Food Science›Starch-based functional food industrial uses
Agriculture›Food Science›Starch-based functional food ingredients
Food›Agriculture
Food›Cooking
Food›Nutrition›Macronutrients
Materials›Biopolymers

Affiliations

  • Adjunct Associate Professor, McMaster University
  • Adjunct Professor and Associate Graduate Faculty, University of Guelph

Language

English
French