Matthias Ullrich

Dr. Matthias Ullrich

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Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

19Years (2008-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 July 2018 in Food Chemistry
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
DSDiana Sirbu
Diana Sirbu
MCMarcello Corno
Marcello Corno
MUMatthias Ullrich
Matthias Ullrich
NKNikolai Kuhnert
Nikolai Kuhnert

21 April 2008 in FEMS Microbiology Letters
Verified
Journal Article
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ASAngela Smirnova
Angela Smirnova
YBYvonne Braun
Yvonne Braun
MUMatthias Ullrich
Matthias Ullrich
Several plant pathogenic bacteria belonging to the species Pseudomonas syringae produce the phytotoxin coronatine to enhance their virulence. Pseudomonas syringae pv. glycinea PG4180 synthesizes coronatine at the virulence-promoting temperature of 18 °C, but not at 28 °C, its optimal growth temperature. In contrast, temperature has virtually no effect on coronatine synthesis in P. syringae pv. tomato strain DC3000. A modified two-component system controlling coronatine synthesis and consisting of the histidine protein kinase (HPK), CorS, the response regulator, CorR, and a third essential component, CorP, had been identified previously in both strains. CorS had been identified previously as a potential thermo-sensor. Comparison of the amino acid sequences of the HPKs from the two organisms revealed distinct differences. Site-directed mutagenesis of CorS from PG4180 was used to identify amino acyl residues potentially important for temperature signal perception. Point mutations and combinations of these were introduced into corS of PG4180 to generate corS variants with increased similarities to the respective allele from strain DC3000. These mutations resulted in either loss of activity, increase of thermoresponsiveness, or had no effect on CorS activity. Although none of the introduced mutations resulted in a clear conversion of CorS activity from thermo-responsive to temperature-independent, amino acyl residues important for temperature-dependent CorS activity and coronatine biosynthesis were identified.

17 June 2024 in Foods
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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James ZiemahJames Ziemah
James Ziemah
MUMatthias Ullrich
Matthias Ullrich
NKNikolai Kuhnert
Nikolai Kuhnert
The Food and Agricultural Organization estimates a 17% loss in the food production chain, making it imperative to adopt scientific and technological approaches to address this issue for sustainability. Industrial food production waste and its value-added applications, particularly in relation to a wide variety of pathogenic microorganisms and the health-related effects have not been thoroughly investigated. This study explores the potential of food production waste extracts—lemon peel (LP), hot trub (HT), and coffee silverskin (CSS) as sources of bioactive compounds. Extraction was conducted using hydro-methanolic extraction with yields in LP (482 mg/1 g) > HT (332 mg/1 g) > CSS (20 mg/1 g). The agar diffusion assay revealed the substantial antibacterial activity of all three extracts against Erwinia Amylovora, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Bacillus aquimaris. All extracts demonstrated activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, displaying minimum inhibitory concentrations effective against pathogenic bacteria like Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, and Salmonella enterica. Total phenolic content (TPC in mg GAE/1g) was 100, 20, and 100 for CSS, HT, and LP, respectively. Antioxidant activity by ABTS indicated IC50 of 3.09, 13.09, and 2.61 for LP, HT, and CSS, respectively. Also, the antioxidant activity of the extracts was further confirmed by DPPH assay with the best activity in CSS (9.84 GAEg−1) and LP (9.77 mg of GAEg−1) rather than in HT (1.45 GAEg−1). No adverse cytotoxic effects on HaCaT cells were observed. Pancreatic amylase inhibition demonstrated antidiabetic potential, with LP showing the highest levels (92%). LC-MS characterization identified polyphenols as the main compounds in CSS, prenylated compounds in HT, and flavanols in LP. The findings imply the potential sustainable use of food production waste in industry.

1 July 2025 in Beverages
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Journal Article
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James ZiemahJames Ziemah
James Ziemah
OAOluwaseun Aluko
Oluwaseun Aluko
VNVincent Ninkuu
Vincent Ninkuu
LAWRENCE ADELANI ADETUNDELAWRENCE ADELANI ADETUNDE
LAWRENCE ADELANI ADETUNDE
Karl Anyetin-Nya AsekabtaKarl Anyetin-Nya Asekabta
Karl Anyetin-Nya Asekabta
NKNikolai Kuhnert
Nikolai Kuhnert
Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a vital tropical staple crop with expanding relevance beyond food security, particularly in developing functional beverages and nutraceutical products. This review discusses the implications of selected chemicals in cassava roots for beverage production, notably cyanogenic glycosides and phenolic compounds. We further highlight the role of cassava as a substrate for beverage production, the nutritional significance of cassava-based beverages, and the health benefits and functional potential of cassava as a key ingredient in beverage production. We also discuss the probiotic and prebiotic properties and the antioxidant activity of chemicals in cassava-based beverages for health benefits. Additionally, we review the challenges, opportunities, and innovations regarding commercialization.

27 April 2025 in Advanced Sustainable Systems
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Journal Article
Open access
RDRohit Dey
Rohit Dey
MDMateusz Dudziak
Mateusz Dudziak
APAndreas Prescher
Andreas Prescher
TKTimmu Kreitsmann
Timmu Kreitsmann
KZKeran Zhang
Keran Zhang
LTLaurenz Thomsen
Laurenz Thomsen
This study examines the dual benefits of microalgae cultivation for wastewater treatment and the enhancement of polylactic acid‐based biocomposites. Using Desmodesmus sp. in a photobioreactor, both batch and continuous operations achieve total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) removal rates of up to 99.9%, maintaining TN and TP levels below 0.02 mg L⁻¹ in the effluent, aligning with European discharge standards. Continuous cultivation increases biomass productivity from 0.102 to 0.43 g L⁻¹ day⁻¹, a 322% improvement over batch operations. Nutrient starvation followed by reintroduction to nutrient‐rich wastewater induces hyper‐compensation luxury uptake, with P‐enriched cells accumulating 1.33% intracellular P within six hours — 21% higher than natural accumulation. The results reveal that luxury phosphorus uptake in microalgae follows a triphasic system of uptake and storage, challenging the previously suggested biphasic model. When incorporated into Poly lactic acid (PLA), the biomass enhances versatility, offering potential replacement of inorganic P in industrial applications, particularly flame retardants. Pyrolysis and cone calorimetry confirm the thermal and fire‐retardant benefits, with a 20% reduction in peak heat release rate and increased char yield. This work highlights microalgae's role in sustainable biocomposites, supporting wastewater treatment, nutrient recovery, and CO₂ sequestration.

16 July 2025 in Foods
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
James ZiemahJames Ziemah
James Ziemah
MUMatthias Ullrich
Matthias Ullrich
NKNikolai Kuhnert
Nikolai Kuhnert
Chemical products, including cleaning agents, disinfectants, stain removers, and cosmetics, release harmful chemicals that pose a risk to human health and the environment, necessitating alternative sources. The objective of this research was to identify the most effective phytoextract from food production waste for use in sustainable aerosol hygiene technology as an electrostatic bio-disinfectant. The investigation was performed through wipe tests and airborne microbial collection techniques. The upgraded coffee silverskin phytoextract demonstrated superior disinfection potential for various surfaces and airborne microbes compared to the hot trub phytoextract, with an industrial disinfectant serving as the control. Log reduction analyses revealed a more significant killing efficacy (p ≤ 0.05, using the ANOVA test) against Gram-positive organisms (Bacillus subtilis and Listeria monocytogenes) than against Gram-negative organisms (Escherichia coli and Vibrio parahaemolyticus), with the log reductions ranging from 3.08 to 5.56 and 3.72 to 5.81, respectively. Chemical characterization by LC-ESI-QTOF-MS, 1H NMR, and FTIR showed that CGAs and chalcones are the most bioactive compounds in CSS and HT, respectively. The innovation in this work involves an integrated approach that combines waste-derived phytoextracts, advanced chemical profiling, and scalable aerosol disinfection. Furthermore, this research offers a greener, cost-effective, and industrially relevant alternative to synthetic chemical disinfectants. The interdisciplinary approach contributes to the development of bio-based disinfectants for use in the food industry, hospitals, and public health settings. This investigation supports a paradigm shift toward sustainable disinfection practices, thereby improving food and environmental safety.