Dr. Ana Clara Candelaria Cucick | Food Biotechnology | Best Researcher Award 

Post Doctoral researcher at University of Sao Paulo- USP, Brazil

Dr. Ana Clara Candelaria Cucick is a dedicated researcher in food microbiology, specializing in probiotics and lactic acid bacteria (LAB). With a strong focus on the biotechnological production of folate-enriched fermented beverages, she has significantly contributed to the understanding of microbial biofortification and nutrient bioavailability. Her collaborative research with international institutions has led to the publication of multiple scientific articles and advancements in functional food development. Passionate about innovation and gut health, she continuously strives to bridge the gap between food science and human health.

Publications Profile

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🎓 Education Details

• Ph.D. in Food Science, University of São Paulo (USP)
• Master’s in Food Science, University of São Paulo (USP)
• Bachelor’s Degree in Food Science, University of São Paulo (USP)

👩‍🔬 Professional Experience

• Researcher at the University of São Paulo (USP) – Conducting groundbreaking studies on probiotics and biofortification of fermented foods.
• Collaborator at the Technical University of Munich – Contributed to joint studies on the bioavailability of folate in fermented beverages.
• Research Associate at CERELA (Argentina) – Engaged in research on lactic acid bacteria and their functional benefits.
• Associated Researcher at Food Research Center (FoRC) – Participating in various interdisciplinary projects focusing on sustainable food production and gut health.

🌱 Research Interests

• Food Microbiology
• Probiotics and Lactic Acid Bacteria
• Folate Production by LAB
• Functional Foods and Nutrient Bioavailability
• Vitamin D Receptor and its Interactions with Folate Metabolism

🏆 Awards and Honors

• Best Paper Award Nominee – Recognized for research on folate-producing LAB and its impact on nutrient bioavailability.
• Research Collaboration Recognition – Acknowledged for significant contributions to international research projects with leading institutions.
• Academic Excellence Award – Honored for outstanding achievements in food microbiology and biotechnology.

🔍 Conclusion

Dr. Ana Clara Candelaria Cucick has made notable contributions to the field of food science, particularly in microbial biofortification and functional foods. Through her research, she has expanded the understanding of probiotic bacteria’s role in enhancing nutrient bioavailability, opening new pathways for innovation in gut health. Her dedication to scientific advancements and collaboration with renowned research institutions highlights her commitment to improving human health through food biotechnology.

Publications 📚

📄 Impact of folate bio-enriched fermented beverage on vitamin D receptor and folate transporters expression in the colon
📌 Food Bioscience | 📅 2025-03 | 🔗 [DOI: 10.1016/j.fbio.2025.106106]
👥 Contributors: Ana Clara Candelaria Cucick, Jonathan Emiliano Laiño, Alejandra de Moreno de LeBlanc, Marcos Edgar Herkenhoff, Juliana Yumi Suzuki, Bernadette Dora Gombossy Melo Franco, João Paulo Fabi, Jean Guy LeBlanc, Susana Marta Isay Saad

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🥛 Assessing a Fermented Whey Beverage Biofortified with Folate as a Potential Folate Source for Humans
📌 Molecular Nutrition and Food Research | 📅 2024 | 🔗 [DOI: 10.1002/MNFR.202300888]
👥 Contributors: Lisa Obermaier, Ana Clara Candelaria Cucick, Bernadette Dora Gombossy de Melo Franco, Susana Marta Isay Saad, Thomas Skurk, Michael Rychlik

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🍊 Effect of fruit by-products and orange pectin on folate (vitamin B9) production by selected starter and probiotic strains
📌 International Journal of Food Science & Technology | 📅 2024 | 🔗 [DOI: 10.1111/IJFS.17141]
👥 Contributors: Ana Clara Candelaria Cucick, Raquel Bedani, Lara Santos Ribeiro, Bernadette Dora Gombossy de Melo Franco, Susana Marta Isay Saad

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🐉 Exploring the potential of red pitaya pulp (Hylocereus sp.) as a plant-based matrix for probiotic delivery and effects on betacyanin content and flavoromics
📌 Food Research International | 📅 2024 | 🔗 [DOI: 10.1016/J.FOODRES.2024.114820]
👥 Contributors: Juliana Yumi Suzuki, Marcos Edgar Herkenhoff, Oliver Broedel, Ana Clara Candelaria Cucick, Marcus Frohme, Susana Marta Isay Saad

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🥤 Integrating fruit by-products and whey for the design of folate-bioenriched innovative fermented beverages safe for human consumption
📌 International Journal of Food Microbiology | 📅 2024-12 | 🔗 [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2024.110895]
👥 Contributors: Ana Clara Candelaria Cucick, Lisa Obermaier, Eliônio Frota Galvão, Juliana Yumi Suzuki, Karen Rebouças Nascimento, João Paulo Fabi, Michael Rychlik, Bernadette Dora Gombossy de Melo Franco, Susana Marta Isay Saad

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🦠 B-Group Vitamins as Potential Prebiotic Candidates: Their Effects on the Human Gut Microbiome
📌 The Journal of Nutrition | 📅 2024-02 | 🔗 [DOI: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.12.038]
👥 Contributors: Raquel Bedani, Ana Clara Candelaria Cucick, Marcela Albuquerque Cavalcanti de Albuquerque, Jean Guy LeBlanc, Susana Marta Isay Saad

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🐭 Evaluation of the bioavailability and intestinal effects of milk fermented by folate-producing lactic acid bacteria in a depletion/repletion mice model
📌 Journal of Functional Foods | 📅 2020-01 | 🔗 [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2020.103785]

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