Faculty of Chemistry, Studentski trg 12-16, Beograd
Department of Biochemistry

Phone:   011-3336676

Phone (local):   676

Laboratory:   404

E-mail:   tafadzwak@chem.bg.ac.rs

Personal data

I am a Food Scientist of Zimbabwean origin with a Ph.D. degree in Food Science, an MSc degree in Postharvest Science and Technology, and a BSc degree in Food Science and Technology. In my Ph.D. studies, I developed novel and sustainable protocols to process specialty oil from pomegranate seeds, targeting smallholder agro-processors in South Africa. I applied GC-MS to profile and quantify fatty acids, phytosterols, tocopherols, and volatiles from pomegranate seed oil. I have worked as a postdoctoral researcher both at Stellenbosch University and the University of Johannesburg. I applied response surface methodology to design and optimise edible coating formulations for pomegranate arils and pecans, and modelled the drying kinetics and shelf life of carrot slices, red raspberries, and coated pecans. I also developed and characterized bioactive phytochemical-rich microencapsulated powders using LC-MS, SEM, FTIR, and XRD. Recently, I have developed interest in microplastics and proteomics and developed a proposal that received funding from the European Commission.

Education and qualifications

2015: Master academic (MSc) studies - Technological engineering / Tehnološki univerzitet Činhoj - Fakultet poljoprivrednih nauka i tehnologije (Činhoj, Zimbabwe)

2021: Doctoral academic (PhD) studies - Technological engineering / Univerzitet u Stelenbošu (Stelenboš, South Africa)

History of employment

2023: Research assistant / University of Belgrade - Faculty of Chemistry (Belgrade, Serbia)

Scientific interest

Agroprocessing and value addition of horticultural crops and by products. 

Lipidomics

Proteomics

Microplastics

Educational activities

Participation in research projects

Active projects: