Dr Brigitte Graf

Senior Lecturer - Molecular Nutrition and Biochemistry

My profile

Biography

Academic and professional qualifications

After gaining a first class degree in Human Nutrition in Germany (1999), Brigitte completed her PhD at the University of Glasgow (2003), investigating absorption, metabolism and body distribution of flavonoids using radiolabelled quercetin (Prof. Mike Lean, Prof. Alan Crozier). After her postdoc at the Antioxidants research lab (Prof. Jeffrey B. Blumberg) at the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Ageing at Tufts in Boston (US), Brigitte joined Unilever R&D (Vlaardingen, The Netherlands) as a Bioavailablity Research Scientist, focusing on absolute bioavailability, body distribution and metabolic transformation of potentially bioactive food ingredients (2006-2010). Before Brigitte accepted an Associate Professorship at the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus (2012), she served as advisor and appointed German delegate to support scientific cooperation between the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and national scientific institutions within Germany. Since summer 2015 Brigitte works as Senior scientist at MMU. Her current research interests focus on the question whether bioactive food ingredients (or their metabolites) are absorbed and subsequently transported to proposed target organs where a biochemical effect might occur. A better understanding of the journey of nutrients through the body (Nutrikinetics) will support nutrition studies aiming to show cause effect of bioactive food ingredients.

External examiner roles

Queens University Belfast, External Examiner for:

BSc Food Quality, Safety and Nutrition

MSci Food Quality, Safety and Nutrition

MSci Food Science and Food Security

Get in touch

0161 247 2753
C2.36 Cavendish South

Teaching

Why study…

Because it is really interesting to understand how food is converted into energy within us, or how exactly different types of foods can influence health?

Postgraduate teaching

27590033 Molecular Nutrition and Biochemistry (unit leader)

32FNB001/9 Food and Nutritional Biochemistry (unit leader)

Subject areas

Molecular Nutrition and Biochemistry

Supervision

MSc Research Project Students

2019

Emily Rose Auty, ongoing

Daniel Ashmore, ongoing

Sally Clare Bennett, ongoing

Ellen Louise Rushmer, ongoing

2018

Saja M.S. Bani Hani: Chylomicron and VLDL separation using
two-step salt density gradient ultracentrifugation.

Neil Patterson: The stability of vitamin C and carotenoids
in rosehip jam.

Valerie Blackshaw: Identification and quantification of
carotenoids in underutilised Malaysian fruits, using HPLC-DAD analysis.

2017

Elizabeth M. S. Robertson: Do chylomicrons provide a useful
vehicle for the determination of recently absorbed carotenoids and vitamin E?

Gisela Gonçalves: Effect of Goji berry consumption on
physiological, biochemical and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) outcomes.

Anna Popova: Effect of juicing and blending fruits and
vegetables using different household processing methods on vitamin C and
carotenoid content.

Research outputs

Nutrikinetics: Journey of nutrients through the body

There is one area where food industry, regulatory bodies and nutrition scientists have a common interest. It is the question of cause-effect relationship in nutrition research: is a specific health outcome correlated with a specific nutrient, a whole food or a food constituent? A new approach, called “nutrikinetics”, may assist nutrition research to design human intervention trials with more accuracy. If a food constituent is causing a health beneficial biological effect in a specific tissue or organ, the active molecule must have physically reached this tissue (or its active metabolite). Nutrikinetics investigates questions such as: Does a proposed bioactive arrive at proposed site of action? Is the active compound a metabolite? Does the presence of a proposed bioactive coincide with a measured biochemical effect? It also needs to be considered at what point in time the bioactive is present and at what point in time the biochemical effect occurs. Three previously applied nutrikinetic approaches and their results are critically discussed during the presentation.

In the development of functional food, food supplements, medicinal food, optimised food for the elderly population and also for cost-optimized food in developing nations, good absorption of functional ingredients is of great interest. If the kinetics and body distribution of nutrients (or bioactives) are known, better choices can be made in nutrition intervention trials with regards to dose and duration of the intervention and time point when to collect which biological sample.

Key Words: Nutrient absorption, Bioavailability, Body distribution, Metabolism, Nutrikinetics.

  • Books (authored/edited/special issues)

    Henning, K.J., Graf, B.A., Kaus, S., Boel, G.F. (2011) EU Food Safety Almanac, 2nd edition. Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR).

  • Journal articles

    Wyckelsma, V.L., Venckunas, T., Brazaitis, M., Gastaldello, S., Snieckus, A., Eimantas, N., Baranauskiene, N., Subocius, A., Skurvydas, A., Pääsuke, M., Gapeyeva, H., Kaasik, P., Pääsuke, R., Jürimäe, J., Graf, B., Kayser, B., Place, N., Andersson, D.C., Westerblad, S., Westerblad, H. 'Antioxidant treatment blunts sprint interval training-induced changes in inflammatory mediator-, calcium-, and mitochondria-related signaling in recreationally active elderly humans.' Antioxidants,

    Hevia, A., Ruas-Madiedo, P., Faria, M.A., Petit, V., Alves, B., Alvito, P., Arranz, E., Bastiaan-Net, S., Corredig, M., Dijk, W., Dupont, D., Giblin, L., Graf, B.A., Kondrashina, A., Ramos, H., Ruiz, L., Santos-Hernández, M., Soriano-Romaní, L., Tomás-Cobos, L., Vivanco-Maroto, S.M., Recio, I., Miralles, B. (2023) 'A shared perspective on in vitro and in vivo models to assay intestinal transepithelial transport of food compounds.' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 71(49) pp. 19265-19276.

    Zaabalawi, A., Renshall, L., Beards, F., Lightfoot, A.P., Degens, H., Alexander, Y., Hasan, R., Bilal, H., Graf, B.A., Harris, L.K., Azzawi, M. (2022) 'Internal Mammary Arteries as a Model to Demonstrate Restoration of the Impaired Vasodilation in Hypertension, Using Liposomal Delivery of the CYP1B1 Inhibitor, 2,3′,4,5′-Tetramethoxystilbene.' Pharmaceutics, 14(10) pp. 2046-2046.

    Wyckelsma, V.L., Venckunas, T., Brazaitis, M., Gastaldello, S., Snieckus, A., Eimantas, N., Baranauskiene, N., Subocius, A., Skurvydas, A., Pääsuke, M., Gapeyeva, H., Kaasik, P., Pääsuke, R., Jürimäe, J., Graf, B.A., Kayser, B., Place, N., Andersson, D.C., Kamandulis, S., Westerblad, H. (2020) 'Vitamin C and E treatment blunts sprint interval training–induced changes in inflammatory mediator-, calcium-, and mitochondria-related signaling in recreationally active elderly humans.' Antioxidants, 9(9) pp. 1-20.

    Azzawi, M., Diaz, M., Degens, H. (2019) 'Differential effects of resveratrol on the dilator responses of femoral arteries, ex vivo.' Nitric Oxide: Biology and Chemistry, 92pp. 1-10.

    Tan, K.W., Graf, B.A., Mitra, S.R., Stephen, I.D. (2017) 'Impact of fresh fruit smoothie consumption on apparent health of Asian faces.' Evolution and Human Behaviour,

    Tan, K.W., Graf, B.A., Mitra, S.R., Stephen, I.D. (2015) 'Daily consumption of a fruit and vegetable smoothie alters facial skin color.' PLoS ONE, 10(7)

    Graf, B.A., van Platerink, C.J., Ten Have, G.A.M., Deutz, N.E.P., Velikov, K.P., Flendrig, L.M., Melnikov, S.M., Garczarek, U.M., Abrahamse, S.L., Duchateau, G.S.M.J.E. (2011) 'Absolute bioavailability of a Hoodia gordonii steroid glycoside from different physicochemical formats in the pig.' Journal of Functional Foods, 3(3) pp. 135-143.

    van Platerink, C.J., Janssen, H.G.M., Graf, B., Abrahamse, L., Haverkamp, J. (2011) 'Quantification of steroid glycosides from Hoodia gordonii in porcine plasma using high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.' Journal of Chromatography B: Analytical Technologies in the Biomedical and Life Sciences, 879(11-12) pp. 819-825.

    Graf, B.A., Duchateau, G.S.M.J.E., Patterson, A.B., Mitchell, E.S., van Bruggen, P., Koek, J.H., Melville, S., Verkade, H.J. (2010) 'Age dependent incorporation of 14C-DHA into rat brain and body tissues after dosing various 14C-DHA-esters.' Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, 83(2) pp. 89-96.

    Kalt, W., Blumberg, J.B., McDonald, J.E., Vinqvist-Tymchuk, M.R., Fillmore, S.A.E., Graf, B.A., O'leary, J.M., Milbury, P.E. (2008) 'Identification of anthocyanins in the liver, eye, and brain of blueberry-fed pigs.' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 56(3) pp. 705-712.

    Milbury, P.E., Graf, B., Curran-Celentano, J.M., Blumberg, J.B. (2007) 'Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) anthocyanins modulate heme oxygenase-1 and glutathione S-transferase-pi expression in ARPE-19 cells.' Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 48(5) pp. 2343-2349.

    Graf, B.A., Ameho, C., Dolnikowski, G.G., Milbury, P.E., Chen, C.Y., Blumberg, J.B. (2006) 'Rat gastrointestinal tissues metabolize quercetin.' Journal of Nutrition, 136(1) pp. 39-44.

    Graf, B.A., Milbury, P.E., Blumberg, J.B. (2005) 'Flavonols, flavones, flavanones, and human health: Epidemiological evidence.' Journal of Medicinal Food, 8(3) pp. 281-290.

    Graf, B.A., Mullen, W., Caldwell, S.T., Hartley, R.C., Duthie, G.G., Lean, M.E.J., Crozier, A., Edwards, C.A. (2005) 'Disposition and metabolism of [2-14C]quercetin-4′- glucoside in rats.' Drug Metabolism and Disposition, 33(7) pp. 1036-1043.

    Graf, B.A. (2004) 'Dietary flavonoids.' The World of Food Ingredients, 3pp. 50-53.

    Mullen, W., Graf, B.A., Caldwell, S.T., Hartley, R.C., Duthie, G.G., Edwards, C.A., Lean, M.E.J., Crozier, A. (2002) 'Determination of flavonol metabolites in plasma and tissues of rats by HPLC-radiocounting and tandem mass spectrometry following oral ingestion of [2-14C]quercetin-4′-glucoside.' Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 50(23) pp. 6902-6909.

    Lirås, V., Lindberg, M., Nyström, P., Annadotter, H., Lawton, L.A., Graf, B. (1998) 'Can ingested cyanobacteria be harmful to the signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus)?.' Freshwater Biology, 39(2) pp. 233-242.

  • Conference papers

    Bani Hani, S.M.S., Flint, P., Evans, G.H., Graf, B.A. (2020) 'Commonly used method for chylomicron isolation catches less than 0.1% of chylomicrons from whole plasma..' In 13th European Nutrition Conference, FENS 2019. 79. Dublin, Republic of Ireland, 15/10/2019 - 18/10/2019. Cambridge University Press (CUP),

    Gonçalves, G.M.R., Zhao, L., Patel, S., Graf, B. (2018) 'Effect of Goji berry consumption on physiological, biochemical and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) outcomes.' In Nutrition Society Summer Conference 2018. 77. Leeds, UK, 10/7/2018 - 12/7/2018. Cambridge University Press,

    Robertson, E.M.S., Evans, G.H., Graf, B. (2018) 'Absorption of lipophilic micronutrients from smoothie.' 10/7/2018 - 12/7/2018. Cambridge University Press (CUP),

    Ng, K.H., Maqbool, M., Ong, F.S., Graf, B.A. (2017) 'Understanding underutilisation of locally grown tropical fruit and vegetables – why are imported apples preferred in Malaysia?.' In Nutriton Society Summer Conference. 76. Dublin, Ireland, 10/7/2017 - 12/7/2017. Cambridge University Press, pp. E149-E149.

    Graf, B.A. (2016) 'Effect of pH on the chemical stability of carotenoids in juice.' In Proceedings of The Nutrition Society 75(OCE3). Proceedings of The Nutrition Society 75(OCE3). Dublin, Ireland,

    Graf, B.A. (2014) 'Evaluation of the bioactivity of constituents in fruit and vegetables using nutrikinetic approaches.' In 3rd International Symposium on Processing of Food, Vegetables and Fruit. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 1/8/2014 -

    Graf, B.A. (2014) 'Value of nutrikinetic approaches for the elucidation of bioactivity.' In 3rd International Conference on Food Digestion. Wageningen, The Netherlands, 1/3/2014 -

    Shipp, V., Flintham, M., Mortier, R., Graf, B.A., Maqbool, M., Parhizkar, B. (2013) 'Understanding underutilisation: Methods for studying fruit and vegetable buying behaviours.' pp. 571-574.

    Affendi, S.A., Tan, K.W., Stephen, I.D., Mitra, S.R. (2013) 'Design of a carotenoid rich fresh juice for use in a human intervention study..' In 28th Annual Scientific Conference of the Nutrition Society of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 1/5/2013 -

    Mitra, S.R., Tan, K.W., Graf, B.A., Stephen, I.D. (2013) 'Dietary assessment of macronutrient and carotenoid intake in young Chinese Malaysian students..' In 28th Annual Scientific Conference of the Nutrition Society of Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 1/5/2013 -

    Graf, B.A. (2013) 'Nutrikinetics: Journey of Nutrients through the Body.' In 28th Annual Scientific Conference of the Nutrition Society of Malaysia.. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 1/5/2013 -

    Graf, B.A. (2011) 'Objectives and outcome of the third German EFSA Focal Point meeting..' In 10th meeting between the European Food Safety Authority and national EFSA Focal Points. Parma, Italy, 1/2/2011 -

    Graf, B.A. (2011) 'Who is who in food and feed safety – authorities and agencies in EU member states..' In 3rd meeting of the EFSA Focal Point in Luxembourg, “La securite dans mon assiette. Luxembourg, 1/5/2011 -

    Graf, B.A. (2011) 'Tasks and activities of the EFSA Focal Point in Germany.' In 2nd meeting of the EFSA Focal Point in Italy, Workshop sulla cooperazione tra Instituzioni di Ricerca italiane ed EFSA. Perugia, Italy, 1/6/2011 -

    Graf, B.A., Kaus, S., Henning, H.K. (2010) 'BfR project: EU Food Safety Almanac..' In 9th meeting between the European Food Safety Authority and national EFSA Focal Points. Budapest, Hungary, 1/10/2010 -

    Milbury, P.E., Graf, B.A., Blumberg, J.B., Curran-Celentano, J.M. (2006) 'Effects of bilberry anthocyanins on apoptosis and oxidative stress-induced responses in cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells.' In Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). 20. Federation of American Society of Experimental Biology (FASEB), pp. A1001-A1001.

    Milbury, P.E., Graf, B.A., Blumberg, J.B., Kalt, W. (2006) 'Analysis of anthocyanins in tissues of pigs fed blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum)..' In FASEB. 20. Federation of American Society of Experimental Biology (FASEB), pp. A550-A550.

    Graf, B.A. (2006) 'Radiochemical detection in metabolism research.' In KNCV Royal Dutch Chemical Society. Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1/11/2006 -

    Graf, B.A., Milbury, P.E., Ameho, C., Dolnikowski, G.G., Blumberg, J.B. (2005) 'Metabolism of dietary quercetin in the gastrointestinal tract, liver and kidney of the rat..' In Flavonoid Metabolism and Health Symposium, 229th American Chemical Society National Meeting. San Diego, CA, USA, 1/3/2005 - American Chemical Society,

    Graf, B.A., Milbury, P.E., Ameho, C.K., Li, T., Dolnikowski, G.G., Blumberg, J.B. (2004) 'Gastrointestinal tissues of the rat metabolize dietary quercetin..' In Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). 18. Washington DC, U.S., Federation of American Society of Experimental Biology (FASEB), pp. A516-A516.

    Graf, B.A., Wilson, R., Caldwell, S.T., Hartley, R.C., Lean, M.E.J. (2003) 'Metabolism of dietary quercetin-4'-glucoside by cultured liver and intestinal cells..' In Nutrition Society Meeting. 62. 1/4/2003 - Cambridge University Press (CUP): STM Journals, pp. 6A-6A.

    Graf, B.A., Mullen, W., Caldwell, S.T., Hartley, R.C., Duthie, G.G., Lean, M.E.J., Crozier, A. (2002) 'Fate of quercetin-4'-glucoside in the rat.' In EUROFEDA Conference: Antioxidants: Benefits and Risks. 36. Cambridge, U.K., 1/9/2002 - Taylor & Francis: STM, Behavioural Science and Public Health Titles, pp. A94-A94.

    Graf, B.A., Mullen, W., Caldwell, S.T., Hartley, R.C., Duthie, G.G., Lean, M.E.J. (2002) 'Disposition and metabolism of dietary quercetin-4'-glucoside in the rat.' In European Postgraduate Poster Symposium, Pfizer Global Research and Development. Sandwich, UK, 1/9/2002 -

    Mullen, W., Graf, B.A., Caldwell, S.T., Hartley, R.C., Duthie, G.G., Edwards, C.A., Lean, M.E.J., Crozier, A. (2002) 'Identification of metabolites of [2-14C]quercetin-4'-glucoside in rats by HPLC-MS/MS with on line radioactivity detection.' In International Symposium on Dietary Phytochemicals and Human Health. Salamanca, Spain, 1/4/2002 -

    Farquharson, A., Wu, H.C., Grant, I., Graf, B., Choung, J.J., Eremin, O., Heys, S., Wahle, K.W.J. (1998) 'Possible mechanisms for the putative anti-atherogenic and anti-tumorigenic effects of conjugated polyenoic fatty acids..' In 3rd international Congress of the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acid and Lipid. Lyon, France., 1/6/1998 -

    Quiles-Morales, J.L., Graf, B., Farquharson, A., Simpson, D.K., Grant, I., Heyes, S., Wahle, K.J.W. (1998) 'Olive oil and human health - Plenary lecture.' In International Olive Oil Council Nutrition Meeting. Bangkok,Thailand, 1/9/1998 -

    Farquharson, A., Quiles-Morales, J.L., Graf, B., Simpson, D.K., Grant, I., Heys, S., Wahle, K.W.J. (1998) 'Olive oil and its constituents in human health - Plenary lecture.' In International Olive Oil Council Nutrition Conference. Madrid, Spain, 1/7/1998 -

    Lawton, L.A., Stewart, J.A., Graf, B., McGaw, B.A. (1995) 'Characterization of algicidal components of rotting barley straw used in the control of cyanobacterial blooms..' In 1st International Congress on Toxic Cyanobacteria (Blue-green Algae). Ronne, Denmark, 1/8/1995 -

  • Presentations

    Graf, B.A. Berufliche Perspektiven von Ernährungswissenschaftlern.. [Presentation] Technische Universität München, Germany,

    Graf, B.A. (2010) Bewertung von Risiko und Effektivität von Nahrungsergänzungs-mitteln.. [Presentation] Erfurt, Germany,1/10/2010.