Research Output per year
Personal profile
Description of research and teaching
Research
My research is focused on valorization of biomass streams, particularly hemicelluloses derived from wood and agricultural residues as well as fungal biomass. I am interested in functionality of biopolymers at multiphase systems and interfaces. The sustainability, biodegradability, and safety of hemicelluloses for food contact make them a highly interesting future alternative for petroleum-derived plastics. Other possible applications for hemicelluloses include, e.g., emulsions for food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
My Research Group Food Materials Science
Teaching
Courses taught:
ETK-111 (Basics of Food Technology; 2 cr). Yearly from 2018 on.
ET410 (Conventional food processing technologies; 5 cr) Academic year 2016-17.
ET215 (Elintarvikesuunnittelu ja -prosessointi; 10 cr). Academic year 2016-17.
ETK210 (Elintarvikkeiden fysikaalinen kemia; 5 cr). Academic years 2015-16 and 2016-17.
ETT210 (Pakkausteknologia 1; 5 cr), a lecture course on packaging technology for bachelor students in food science. Academic year 2012-13.
ETT410 (Pakkausteknologia 2; 6 cr), advanced course on food packaging technology with both lectures and laboratory work. Academic year 2012-13.
YKEM111 (Laboratory course on physical chemistry, 3 cr), assistant teacher. Years 2007, 2010, and 2011.
Currently, I teach food technology and have responsibility of the food technology module for master studies, and supervise doctoral, master, and bachelor theses on related topics.
Curriculum vitae
Current position:
Assistant Professor and Academy Research Fellow, Department of Food and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki (1.9.2017→)
Degrees awarded:
Docent (Adjunct Professor), Food Materials Science, University of Helsinki (2013)
PhD, Food Technology, University of Helsinki (2009)
MSc, Food Technology, University of Helsinki (2004)
Other education:
University Pedagogy I (1+2); 10 cr (2011)
University Pedagogy 3; 5 cr, and 4; 5 cr (2013)
Leadership Program for Academic Staff (2015)
Fields of Science
- 416 Food Science
- Food Technology
- Packaging
- Polysaccharides
- Biodegradable Films
- Emulsions
- Aerogels
International and National Collaboration
Publications and projects within past five years.
Publications
Comparison of novel fungal mycelia strains and sustainable growth substrates to produce humidity-resistant biocomposites
Tacer Caba, Z., Varis, J. J., Lankinen, P. & Mikkonen, K. S., 12 Apr 2020, In : Materials and design. 108728.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open Access
File
Strategies for structuring diverse emulsion systems by using wood lignocellulose-derived stabilizers
Mikkonen, K. S., 2020, In : Green Chemistry.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open Access
Time-dependent self-association of spruce galactoglucomannans depends on pH and mechanical shearing
Bhattarai, M., Valoppi, F., Hirvonen, S-P., Hietala, S., Kilpelainen, P., Aseyev, V. & Mikkonen, K. S., May 2020, In : Food Hydrocolloids. 102, 12 p., 105607.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open Access
File
Lignin-Rich PHWE Hemicellulose Extracts Responsible for Extended Emulsion Stabilization
Lahtinen, M., Valoppi, F., Juntti, V., Heikkinen, S., Kilpeläinen, P., Maina, N. & Mikkonen, K. S., 17 Dec 2019, In : Frontiers in Chemistry. 7, 18 p., 871.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open Access
File
Rapid and Direct Preparation of Lignin Nanoparticles from Alkaline Pulping Liquor by Mild Ultrasonication
Agustin, M., Penttilä, P., Lahtinen, M. & Mikkonen, K. S., 16 Dec 2019, In : ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering. 7, 24, p. 19925-19934 19 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Projects
FreshPack (Business Finland)
Korjus, E., Junttila, P., Tenkanen, M. & Mikkonen, K. S.
01/09/2019 → 03/03/2021
Project: Research project
HEMISURF: Liberation and solution properties of wood hemicelluloses towards surface active molecules (Nordic Forest Research)
Mikkonen, K. S., Westereng, B. & Nypelö, T.
01/01/2019 → 31/12/2021
Project: Research project
ROCK: ROle of lignin Carbohydrate complexes as Key to stable emulsions (Tandem Forest Values)
Morais de Carvalho, D., Lahtinen, M., Lawoko, M. & Mikkonen, K. S.
01/11/2018 → 31/10/2020
Project: Research project
FOODLIPS: FOOD LIPid interfaces Stabilized by xylan- and betaglucan rich cereal residues (Lantmännen Research Foundation)
Wang, Y., Valoppi, F. & Mikkonen, K. S.
01/05/2018 → 30/04/2020
Project: Research project
REPLY: REassembly of fungal PoLYsaccharides for biocompatible interfaces (Academy of Finland)
Nikkilä, I., Tacer Caba, Z., Varis, J., Lankinen, P. & Mikkonen, K. S.
01/09/2017 → 31/08/2022
Project: Research project
Activities
Opponent for doctoral thesis: Sophie Groult
Kirsi S. Mikkonen (Supervisor)28 May 2019
Activity: Examination types › Opponent of doctoral dissertation
Speaker: Sensory profile of spruce galactoglucomannans and birch glucuronoxylans in food
Kirsi S. Mikkonen (Speaker)3 Apr 2019
Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation
Verena Wiedenmann
Kirsi S. Mikkonen (Host)1 Aug 2018 → 14 Dec 2018
Activity: Hosting a visitor types › Academic visit at UH
University of Toronto
Kirsi S. Mikkonen (Visiting researcher)10 Sep 2018 → 28 Sep 2018
Activity: Visiting an external institution types › Academic visit to other institution
Symposium on Plant Heteropolysaccharides: Interactions within Lignocellulosics, New Modifications & Future Applications
Francisco Villaplana (Member of organizing committee), Kirsi S. Mikkonen (Member of organizing committee), Maija Tenkanen (Member of organizing committee)21 Mar 2018
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Organisation and participation in conferences, workshops, courses, seminars
Press / Media
Radio Interview: Edible packaging materials
07/05/2017
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
Interview: The Academy of Finland online news: Puusta pitkään ja enemmän
24/02/2016
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
Interview: The Academy of Finland online news: Hemiselluloosaa tulevaisuuden tarpeisiin
16/09/2015
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
Interview: Helsingin Sanomat online newspaper: Tutkija kehittää kuusesta syötäviä pakkauskalvoja ja toivoo niiden korvaavan valmisruokien muovipakkauksia
14/09/2015
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media