Scholars

Awika, Joseph

Professor

Positions:

Professor, Soil and Crop Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Professor, Nutrition and Food Science, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Single Page Bio

awika@tamu.edu

1 979 845 2985

Co-author Network

Map of Science

Co-investigator Network

Websites

Cereal Quality Lab

overview

Dr. Awika's broad interest is in developing technologies that maximize the ability of food to protect humans against chronic disease. His research focuses on the chemistry behind the behavior and properties of specific micro (polyphenols) and macro (starch and proteins) food constituents derived from grains. The interactions of the starch and proteins with the polyphenols, and how these interactions affect the rheological and biologically relevant properties of the molecules are of interest. How the structure of the polyphenols can be used to predict and manipulate their chemical behavior and function in food systems, as well as predict their interactions relevant inflammatory response in biological models is a major area of focus.

Dr. Awika's research involves multidisciplinary and international collaborations with geneticists, nutritional biochemists, agronomists, plant breeders, among others, from around the world.

education and training

Ph.D. in Cereal Chemistry, Texas A&M University - (College Station, Texas, United States) 2003
B.S. in Food Science, Egerton University - (Nakuru, Kenya) 1996

selected publications

Academic Articles70

Ravisankar, S., Queiroz, V., & Awika, J. M. (2020). Rye flavonoids - Structural profile of the flavones in diverse varieties and effect of fermentation and heat on their structure and antioxidant properties.. FOOD CHEMISTRY. 324, 126871-126871.
Herrman, D. A., Brantsen, J. F., Ravisankar, S., Lee, K., & Awika, J. M. (2020). Stability of 3-deoxyanthocyanin pigment structure relative to anthocyanins from grains under microwave assisted extraction. FOOD CHEMISTRY. 333, 127494-127494.
Ravisankar, S., Agah, S., Kim, H., Talcott, S., Wu, C., & Awika, J. (2019). Combined cereal and pulse flavonoids show enhanced bioavailability by downregulating phase II metabolism and ABC membrane transporter function in Caco-2 model. FOOD CHEMISTRY. 279, 88-97.
Girard, A. L., Teferra, T., & Awika, J. M. (2019). Effects of condensed vs hydrolysable tannins on gluten film strength and stability. FOOD HYDROCOLLOIDS. 89, 36-43.
Teferra, T. F., Amoako, D. B., Rooney, W. L., & Awika, J. M. (2019). Qualitative assessment of 'highly digestible' protein mutation in hard endosperm sorghum and its functional properties. FOOD CHEMISTRY. 271, 561-569.

Books1

Taylor, J., & Awika, J. M. (2017). Gluten-Free Ancient Grains: Cereals, Pseudocereals, and Legumes: Sustainable, Nutritious, and Health-Promoting Foods for the 21st Century.

Chapters3

Awika, J., Ojwang, L., & Girard, A. (2019). CHAPTER 14: Anthocyanins, Deoxyanthocyanins and Proanthocyanidins as Dietary Constituents in Grain Products. Food Chemistry, Function and Analysis. (pp. 305-331). Royal Society of Chemistry.
Taylor, J., & Awika, J. M. (2017). Future Research Needs for the Ancient Grains. Gluten-Free Ancient Grains: Cereals, Pseudocereals, and Legumes: Sustainable, Nutritious, and Health-Promoting Foods for the 21st Century. (pp. 297-328). Elsevier.
Awika, J. M. (2017). Sorghum: Its Unique Nutritional and Health-Promoting Attributes. Gluten-Free Ancient Grains: Cereals, Pseudocereals, and Legumes: Sustainable, Nutritious, and Health-Promoting Foods for the 21st Century. (pp. 21-54). Elsevier.