Research & Innovation
We advance research that strengthens food security, reduces postharvest losses, improves food safety & quality, and drives value addition—with a strong focus on indigenous crops and locally relevant solutions.
Core Research Themes
Our research spans the food system—from postharvest handling and processing to safety, quality, and digital innovation.
Postharvest & Food Processing Technology
- Storage systems and technologies for maintaining quality of food commodities
- Postharvest handling strategies to reduce quantitative and qualitative losses
- Food processing operations including size reduction, extraction, and mixing
- Unit operations such as drying, blanching, pasteurization, refrigeration, and freezing
Food Product Development & Value Addition
- Development of novel food products from locally available raw materials
- Improvement of traditional foods for enhanced convenience, shelf life, and quality
- Functional ingredients from indigenous crops (okra, cassava, sweetpotato, millet, sorghum, maize)
- Nutritious fruit & vegetable juice blends and valorization of by-products
- Sensory evaluation of raw and processed food products
Food Systems, Safety & Quality
- Food safety risk assessment and HACCP plan development
- Nutritional composition analysis (proximate, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants)
- Microbiological and toxicological evaluation of foods
- Physicochemical and rheological characterization
- Spectral measurements and chemometric modelling
- Biopolymers/hydrocolloids from indigenous sources and applications
Digital Innovation & Emerging Technologies
- Artificial intelligence and data analytics for food fraud detection
- Non-destructive quality evaluation and predictive modelling
- Smart approaches to quality monitoring and authentication
Selected Ongoing & Recent Projects
A snapshot of active work and partnerships shaping research impact.
Artificial Intelligence–based Food Fraud Detection
Aflatoxin in Groundnuts/Peanuts (Feed the Future Innovation Labs & CRSPs)
Street Foods Safety & Quality (KNUST, Food Research Institute, University of Copenhagen)
Strengthening Root & Tuber Value Chains (Ghana–Denmark PRCP)
Yam Storage & Postharvest Management
Okra Pectin Extraction & Application
Akokono (Palm Weevil Larvae) Processing & Product Development
High Quality Cassava Flour & Composite Bread (IFAD; McGill; IITA)
Gari Processing Optimization
Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS 3)
Collaboration & Research Environment
Our work is supported by well-equipped laboratories, multidisciplinary expertise, and strong partnerships within and beyond KNUST. We translate research into policy, industry solutions, and societal impact.