Rong Cao, Ph.D.

Research Scientist

Food Bioactives Chemistry and Biochemistry

Current research and/or projects

Dr. Cao leads multi-disciplinary teams to conduct national and international research to support AAFC’s mandate and priorities. His research focuses on two AAFC Strategic Objectives: “Improve attributes for food and non-food uses” and “Addressing threats to the agriculture and agri-food value chain”, in the Focus Areas of (1) Cereals & Pulses; (2) Agri-Food, (3) Bioproducts, and (4) Horticulture as set in AAFC’s Agri-Food Sector - Science Strategy. Dr. Cao is an internationally highly recognized authority in food bioactives and attributes, especially in those with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. He contributes by developing novel methods for the identification of food bioactives and their important functional properties in all aforementioned four areas, by taking new approaches to assess bioaccessibility, bioavailability, metabolomics and molecular mechanisms of action, and by providing information essential to crop breeding and processing programs, health claims substantiation and to forage crops. Dr. Cao also addresses the above threats by developing new methods for the detection and identification of regulated and emerging mycotoxins, by using natural antimicrobials, and optimizing food processing conditions to mitigate mycotoxin contamination.

Research and/or project statements

A systematic approach to characterization of free; conjugated and bound forms of food bioactives and their antioxidant/anti-inflammatory activities in pulses using cell models and in vitro gastrointestinal and gut digestions
Integrated research-development-technology-transfer approach to enhance productivity and sustainability of potato production in Canada
Applying genomic ideotype breeding to increase bean productivity, healthfulness and sustainability
Characterization of phytochemicals and dietary fibres in pulse processing by-products for value-added functional food products
Research network on emerging mycotoxins of potential importance for Canadian agriculture and regulation of domestic commodities and international trade

Professional activities / interests

Characterization of food bioactives with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities
Bioaccessibility, bioavailability, metabolism and cell signaling modulating effects of food bioactives
Characterization and mitigation of mycotoxins in food and natural antimicrobials

Education and awards

Education

Postdoctoral Fellow Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, USA (1992-1996)
Ph.D. in Agricultural Chemistry, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan (1991)
M.Sc. in Agricultural Chemistry, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan (1988)
B.Sc. in Agricultural Chemistry, Beijing Agricultural University, Beijing, China (1984)

Awards

Gold Harvest Award - Innovation, Collaboration and Service Excellence, Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada, 2016
Highly Cited Researchers since 2014-present, Thomson Reuters (http://highlycited.com/ )

International experience and/or work

Collaboration with researchers in Italy, Mexico and China

Key publications

Shen, H.S., Liu, H., Chen, J.-C., Shao, S., Zhu, H., Tsao, R., and Zhou, T. (2015). "Tetramethylpyrazine from Pleurotus geesteranus.", Natural Product Communications, 10(9), pp. 1553-1554.
2015 - View publication details
Tsao, R. (2015). "Synergistic interactions between antioxidants used in food preservation.", in Shahidi, F. (ed.) - Handbook of Antioxidants for Food Preservation, Elsevier Inc. Academic Press, pp. 335-347.
2015 - View publication details
Chen, P.X., Dupuis, J.H., Marcone, M.F., Pauls, P.K., Liu, R., Liu, Q., Tang, Y., Zhang, B., Tsao, R. (2015). Physicochemical Properties and in Vitro Digestibility of Cooked Regular and Nondarkening Cranberry Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and Their Effects on Bioaccessibility, Phenolic Composition, and Antioxidant Activity. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, [online] 63(48), 10448-10458. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5b04005
2015 - View publication details
Villeneuve, S., Power, K.A., Guévremont, E., Mondor, M., Tsao, R., Wanasundara, J.P.D., Zarepoor, L., Mercier, S. (2015). Effect of a Short-Time Germination Process on the Nutrient Composition, Microbial Counts and Bread-Making Potential of Whole Flaxseed. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, [online] 39(6), 1574-1586. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jfpp.12385
2015 - View publication details
Soliman, S.S.M., Greenwood, J.S., Bombarely, A., Mueller, L.A., Tsao, R., Mosser, D.D., Raizada, M.N. (2015). An endophyte constructs fungicide-containing extracellular barriers for its host plant. Current Biology, [online] 25(19), 2570-2576. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2015.08.027
2015 - View publication details
Chen, P.X., Tang, Y., Marcone, M.F., Pauls, P.K., Zhang, B., Liu, R., Tsao, R. (2015). Characterization of free, conjugated and bound phenolics and lipophilic antioxidants in regular- and non-darkening cranberry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Food Chemistry, [online] 185 298-308. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2015.03.100
2015 - View publication details
Chen, P.X., Bozzo, G.G., Freixas-Coutin, J.A., Marcone, M.F., Pauls, P.K., Tang, Y., Zhang, B., Liu, R., Tsao, R. (2015). Free and conjugated phenolic compounds and their antioxidant activities in regular and non-darkening cranberry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seed coats. Journal of Functional Foods, [online] 18 1047-1056. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2014.10.032
2015 - View publication details
Tang, Y., Li, X., Chen, P.X., Zhang, B., Hernandez, M., Zhang, H., Marcone, M.F., Liu, R., Tsao, R. (2015). Characterisation of fatty acid, carotenoid, tocopherol/tocotrienol compositions and antioxidant activities in seeds of three Chenopodium quinoa Willd. genotypes. Food Chemistry, [online] 174 502-508. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.11.040
2015 - View publication details
Li, L., Li, B., Zhang, H., Zhao, A., Han, B., Liu, C., Tsao, R. (2015). Ultrafiltration LC-ESI-MSn screening of MMP-2 inhibitors from selected Chinese medicinal herbs Smilax glabra Roxb., Smilax china L. and Saposhnikovia divaricata (Turcz.) Schischk as potential functional food ingredients. Journal of Functional Foods, [online] 15 389-395. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2015.03.038
2015 - View publication details
Zhang, B., Deng, Z., Ramdath, D.D., Tang, Y., Chen, P.X., Liu, R., Liu, Q., Tsao, R. (2015). Phenolic profiles of 20 Canadian lentil cultivars and their contribution to antioxidant activity and inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase and pancreatic lipase. Food Chemistry, [online] 172 862-872. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.09.144
2015 - View publication details
Wang, F., Wang, H., Wang, D., Fang, F., Lai, J., Wu, T., Tsao, R. (2015). Isoflavone, γ-aminobutyric acid contents and antioxidant activities are significantly increased during germination of three Chinese soybean cultivars. Journal of Functional Foods, [online] 14 596-604. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2015.02.016
2015 - View publication details
Li, H., Deng, Z., Liu, R., Zhu, H., Draves, J., Marcone, M., Sun, Y., Tsao, R. (2015). Characterization of phenolics, betacyanins and antioxidant activities of the seed, leaf, sprout, flower and stalk extracts of three Amaranthus species. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, [online] 37 75-81. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jfca.2014.09.003
2015 - View publication details
Drinkwater, J.M., Tsao, R., Liu, R., Defelice, C., Wolyn, D.J. (2015). Effects of cooking on rutin and glutathione concentrations and antioxidant activity of green asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) spears. Journal of Functional Foods, [online] 12 342-353. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jff.2014.11.013
2015 - View publication details
Tang, Y., Li, X., Zhang, B., Chen, P.X., Liu, R., Tsao, R. (2015). Characterisation of phenolics, betanins and antioxidant activities in seeds of three Chenopodium quinoa Willd. genotypes. Food Chemistry, [online] 166 380-388. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.06.018
2015 - View publication details
Padhi, E.M.T., Blewett, H.J., Duncan, A.M., Guzman, R.P., Hawke, A., Seetharaman, K., Tsao, R., Wolever, T.M.S., Ramdath, D.D. (2015). Whole soy flour incorporated into a muffin and consumed at 2 doses of soy protein does not lower LDL cholesterol in a randomized, double-blind controlled trial of hypercholesterolemic adults. Journal of Nutrition, [online] 145(12), 2665-2674. http://dx.doi.org/10.3945/jn.115.219873
2015 - View publication details
Tsao, R. (2014). "Synergistic interactions between antioxidants used in food products.", in Shahidi, F. (ed.) - Handbook of antioxidants in food preservation: Sources, Stability and Extraction, Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge, UK, Chapter 12.
2014 - View publication details
Tang, Y., Li, X., Chen, P.X., Zhang, B., Hernandez, M., Zhang, H., Marcone, M.F., Liu, R., Tsao, R. (2014). Lipids, tocopherols, and carotenoids in leaves of amaranth and quinoa cultivars and a new approach to overall evaluation of nutritional quality traits. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, [online] 62(52), 12610-12619. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jf5046377
2014 - View publication details
Kirby, C.W., Wu, T.-Y., Nabuurs, M.H., Tsao, R., Tsao, R., and McCallum, J.L. (2014). "Anthocyanin and Pyranoanthocyanin Biosynthesis in Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina L.).", Maritimes Natural Products Conference (MNPC) 2014, Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada, August 18-20, 2014, Presentation.
2014 - View publication details
Hao, X.M., Guo, X.-B., Tsao, R., Khosla, S., and Chen, X. (2014 Confidential). Sustainable Year-Round Greenhouse Vegetable Production with Supplemental lighting, Final Research Project Report to Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (July 15, 2014), 28 pages . (Report)
2014 - View publication details
Zhang, B., Deng, Z., Tang, Y., Chen, P.X., Liu, R., Ramdath, D.D., Liu, Q., Hernandez, M., Tsao, R. (2014). Effect of domestic cooking on carotenoids, tocopherols, fatty acids, phenolics, and antioxidant activities of lentils (Lens culinaris). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, [online] 62(52), 12585-12594. http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/jf504181r
2014 - View publication details