Cao, Rong, Ph.D.

Research Scientist

Contact Information:

93 Stone Road West
Guelph, Ontario N1G 5C9
Telephone: 226-217-8108
Fax: 519-829-2600
Email: rong.cao@agr.gc.ca

Areas of Expertise:

  • characterization and utilization of antioxidative and bioactive phytochemicals in important Canadian crops and native plants for improved human health and food safety and quality
  • agri-food by-products and explore their potential as source of nutraceutical and functional food ingredients
  • bioavailability, metabolism and mode of action of phytochemical antioxidants
  • phytochemicals with antimicrobial activities.

Current Projects:

  • Development of natural patulin decontamination methods and value-added products from apple and apple pomace for human consumption
  • Discovery, characterization and production of bioactive phytochemicals for nutraceutical, functional food and non-food applications
  • Rural technology development and characterization of bioactive phytochemicals for nutraceutical or functional food applications

Affiliations:

  • Special Graduate Faculty, Department of Food Sciences, University of Guelph
  • Special Graduate Faculty, Department of Human Biology and Nutrition, University of Guelph
  • Special Graduate Faculty, Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph
  • Adjunct Professor, Baicheng Agricultural Research Institute, China

Research Publications:

The links below lead to abstracts with access to full text.

2013:

2012:

2011:

2010:

2009:

Other Science Related Publications:

2012:

  • Chen, P.X., Tsao, R., Liu, R., Marcone, M.F., and Pauls, K.P. (2012). "Polyphenolic profile of common dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).", Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology, Canada, May 2012. (Presentation)
  • Ma, J., Zhou, T., Warriner, K., Fernando, W.G.D., and Tsao, R. (2012). "Can mustard meal make food labels “green”.", 10th Annual OMAFRA Food Safety Research Forum, Guelph, ON, Canada, May 2, 2012. (Poster)
  • Ma, J., Zhou, T., Warriner, K., and Tsao, R. (2012). "Allyl isothiocynate derived from oriental defatted mustard meal as a natural antimicrobial to inhibit the growth of moulds on bread.", 50th National Conference of the Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology (CIFST's): Innovation meets Commercialization, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada, May 27-29, 2012. (Poster)
  • Navabi, A., Pauls, K.P., Yu, K., Tsao, R., Woodrow, L., and Poysa, V. (2012). "A Multi- Disciplinary Approach Towards Developing Bean Varieties for Sustainable Dry Bean Production in Ontario. Research Update.", Pulse Science Cluster Scientific Meeting, Niagara Falls Marriott Gateway, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada, November 6, 2012.
  • Navabi, A., Pauls, K.P., Yu, K., Tsao, R., Woodrow, L., and Poysa, V. (2012). "A Multi- Disciplinary Approach Towards Developing Bean Varieties for Sustainable Dry Bean Production in Ontario.", Pulse Science Cluster Scientific Meeting, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, November 17-18, 2011.
  • Perry, G.E., Crosby, W.L., Yu, K., Navabi, A., Zou, X., Power, K.A., Marsolais, F., Xie, W., Weersink, A., Tsao, R., Cooper, D., and Pauls, K.P. (2012). "Sequencing the bean genome: Using comparative genomics to examine interspecific introgressions.", Canadian Society of Plant Biologists Meeting (CSPB 2012), University of Alberta Campus, Edmonton, AB, Canada, June 25-27, 2012. (Presentation)
  • Power, K.A., Villeneuve, S., Mondor, M., Fustier, P., Arcand, Y., Lamarche, F., Britten, M., Cui, S.W., Tsao, R., Fofana, B., and Wanasundara, P.K.J.P.D. (2012). "Recent progress on the incorporation of flaxseed into cereal based matrices: delivery of bioactives to target sites and a comprehensive assessment of their biological effects.", 64th Flax Institute of the United States, Doublewood Inn, Fargo, ND, USA, March 29-30, 2012. (Presentation)
  • Song, J., Tsao, R., Yang, R., and Campbell-Palmer, L. (2012). "Effect of 1-MCP treatment on polyphenolics and antioxidants compounds in apple fruit during ripening.", 109th Annual Conference of the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), InterContinental Miami Hotel, Miami, FL, USA, July 31-August 3, 2012, Published in: HortScience 47(9), S264. (Abstract)
  • Zhang, C., Lu, J., Zarepoor, L., Tsao, R., and Power, K.A. (2012). "Common Beans Induce both Beneficial and Adverse Effects on Colitis Symptoms in Mice.", 9th Canadian Pulse Research Workshop, Niagara Falls Marriott Gateway, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada, November 6-12, 2012.
  • Zhang, C., Lu, J., Zarepoor, L., Tsao, R., and Power, K.A. (2012). "Power Common Beans Induce both Beneficial and Adverse Effects on Colitis Symptoms in Mice.", 9th Canadian Pulse Research Workshop, Niagara Falls Marriott Gateway, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada, November 6-12, 2012.
  • Zhang, C., Zarepoor, L., Lu, J., Da, C.R., Wu, W., Tsao, R., Pauls, K.P., and Power, K.A. (2012). "Bean health benefits depends on timing of consumption.", Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Food for Health Meeting, Guelph, ON, Canada, June 2012. (Poster)

2011:

  • Ma, J., Zhou, T., Warriner, K., Tsao, R., and Fernando, W.G.D. (2011). "Suppressing penicillium spp. by gaseous Allyl isothiocynate from oriental mustard meal.", 9th Annual OMAFRA Food Safety Research Forum, Guelph, ON, Canada, May 5, 2011. (Poster)
  • Perry, G.E., Crosby, W., Shi, C., Power, K.A., Marsolais, F., Xie, W., Weersink, A., Tsao, R., Cooper, D.M., and Pauls, K.P. (2011). "Sequencing the bean genome: the applied bean genomics and bioproducts project.", Plant Canada 2011, Saint Mary’s University, Halifax, NS, Canada, July 17-21, 2011. (Poster)
  • Perry, G.E., Crosby, W., Yu, K., Shi, C., Powers, K., Marsolais, F., Xie, W., Weersink, A., Tsao, R., Siddiqua, M., Cooper, D.M., and Pauls, K.P. (2011). "The applied bean genomics and bioproducts project: sequencing the bean genome.", Biennial Meeting of the Bean Improvement Cooperative and North American Pulse Improvement Association (BIC/NAPIA 2011), Verdanza Hotel, San Juan, Puerto Rico, October 30-November 2, 2011.

2010:

  • Lu, L., Song, F.-R., Tsao, R., Liu, Z.-Q., and Liu, S.-Y. (2010). "Studies on the homolytic and heterolytic cleavage of kaempferol and kaempferide glycosides using electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (Letter to the Editor).", Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry (RCM), 24(1), pp. 169-172.
  • Proulx, A.K. and Tsao, R. (2010). "When Antioxidants Aren’t Antioxidants: Mixed results from soy hydrolysates when evaluated by wet chemistry and shelf-life antioxidant model systems.", 2010 Canadian Institute of Food Science & Technology (CIFST) and AAFC Conference, Fairmont Winnipeg Hotel, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, May 30-June 1, 2010, # 06-5. (Abstract)
  • Tsao, R. (2010). "Prenylated flavonoids: antioxidant, anti-cancer activities and bioavailability.", 2010 Canadian Institute of Food Science & Technology (CIFST) and AAFC Conference, Fairmont Winnipeg Hotel, Winnipeg, MB, Canada, May 30-June 1, 2010, # 07-4. (Abstract)

2009:

  • McCallum, J.L. and Tsao, R. (2009). "Chemistry of flavonoids.", in de la Rosa, L.A., Alvarez-Parrilla, E., and Gonzalez-Aguilar, G.A. (eds.) - Fruit and Vegetable Phytochemicals: Chemistry, nutritional value, stability, Wiley - Blackwell, Chapter 5, pp. 131-154.
  • Proulx, A.K. and Tsao, R. (2009). "Towards identifying the chemical mechanisms of non-enzymatic peptide antioxidants (Abstract #46).", 2009 Annual Meeting of the International Society for Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods (ISNFF), Golden Gate Holiday Inn, San Francisco, CA, USA, November 1-4, 2009. (Abstract)
  • Tsao, R. (2009). "Prenylated flavonoids: antioxidant, anti-cancer activities and bioavailability.", 2009 Annual Meeting of the International Society for Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods (ISNFF), Golden Gate Holiday Inn, San Francisco, CA, USA, November 1-4, 2009, #104. (Abstract)
  • Tsao, R. and Li, L. (2009). "Phytochemical profiles and potential health benefits of heartnut (Juglans ailanthifolia var. cordiformis): A comparison with common walnut (Juglans regia L.).", in Alasalvar, C. and Shahidi, F. (eds.) - Tree Nuts: Composition, Phytochemicals, and Health Effects, CRC Press Taylor & Francis, Chapter 14, pp. 237-247.