Specialist to Discuss Food Science Challenges

Michael Kramer, of GPC Corporation, will present “Starch and Starch Derivatives in Food Applications” on Tuesday, April 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the Atrium Conference Room at Clarke University.The event is free and open to the public.Kramer, MS, CFS, will provide a review of technologies and chemical modifications being applied to starch in order to solve fundamental food technology challenges. Modified starch products can be used to address a variety of challenges, such as: How to keep low fat meats moist and juicy? How to reduce costs in frozen desserts without sacrificing creamy texture? What can be done to prevent weeping, purging and watering off in products such as hot dogs or key lime pie? How can you be sure that jelly beans will have just the right amount of chewiness? Which carbohydrate is the best for an endurance athlete or a chemotherapy patient? How can cakes be frozen for up to two years without loss in product quality? How can a spray-dried lemon flavor in a no-sugar beverage powder be protected from oxygen? Kramer has over 30 years of experience in the food industry working for small and large manufacturers. He has done product development on snacks, drinks, meals, nutritional products and microwave foods at Kraft Foods in Glenview, Ill., Unilever in New Jersey and smaller private label manufacturers. During the past 18 years at GPC, Kramer has had the chance to help customers solve problems in the foods, pharmaceuticals and personal care industries both in the U.S. and around the world.Kramer’s talk is sponsored by the American Chemical Society Illinois-Iowa Section. For more information contact Karen Glover, Clarke associate professor of chemistry, at karen.glover@clarke.edu.Clarke University is a Catholic, liberal arts and sciences university dedicated to preparing students who positively impact their workplace, family and community. Academic offerings include more than 40 undergraduate liberal arts and pre-professional programs, a robust adult degree program and six graduate degree programs.  Founded in 1843 by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Clarke is located near the Mississippi River in the thriving city of Dubuque, Iowa. It is the only BVM university in the country.