Carbohydrate Chemistry and Utilization Laboratory

University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
What the facility does

Applies extrusion to produce high-quality and nutritious human foods, pet foods, animal feeds, pharmaceutical products, and bioplastics

Areas of expertise

Specific research focusing on Dr. Yongfeng Ai’s Carbohydrate Chemistry and Utilization Program at the University of Saskatchewan includes:

  1. Chemical, physical, and enzymatic modifications of starch and other carbohydrates for novel industrial applications
  2. Development of resistant starch, dietary fiber, and low-glycemic foods and feeds to improve the health of humans and animals
  3. Use of novel processing methods (e.g. extrusion) to enhance functional properties and nutritional quality of carbohydrates in pulses and cereal grains
Research services

The research-scale twin-screw extruder can be deployed to support the following research and development efforts in private, public, and non-profit sectors:

  • Modify food ingredients and prepare extruded food products
  • Produce pet foods
  • Process animal feeds
  • Develop and manufacture pharmaceutical products
  • Develop and produce bioplastics
Sectors of application
  • Agriculture, animal science and food
  • Chemical industries
EquipmentFunction
Brabender TwinLab-F 20/40 twin-screw extruderProduce human foods, pet foods, animal feeds, pharmaceutical products, and bioplastics through extrusion processing