Effect of environment on cereal phenolic composition and its chemopreventive pot

This research is an attempt at investigating the effects climate has on Australian cereal crops such as rice, sorghum, oats and barley. This study involves screening of multiple varieties of these cereals to select the varieties with the most potent anticancer activity, extracts from these cereals will be tested on colorectal cancer cell lines to determine their ability to induce apoptosis. The study will assess colorectal cancer cells as compared to other types of cancers, colorectal cancer is in closest proximity for exposure due to its present in the gut system. In this project, bioactive compounds in grains as well as chemical differences in the compounds in grains grown in various locations in Australia will be investigated, to better understand their relationship to cultivation climate. At the same time, this project will be building the value of these food crops as functional foods, particularly with potential chemopreventive properties.