ALESANA MALO

PhD in Agriculture, USP Samoa

  • Alesana Malo is an ACIAR PASS-CR Scholar from Samoa. He is a Food Technologist with more than 10 years of experience. His fields of interest are: Food Product Development, Food Sensory Sciences and Consumers’ Behavior, Food Engineering (Material Science) and Process Design, Food Microbiology and Biotechnology, Food Safety and Quality Management, Advanced Food Chemistry and Technical Analysis, and Novel Food Design and Innovation. Before joining ACIAR PASS-CR, Mr Malo was a Principal Research Scientist at the Scientific Research Organization of Samoa (SROS).

    Alesana’s PhD research covers the characterization and modification of Samoan grown citrus (Tahitian Lime and Mandarin) pectin for potential value-added and health promotion application. With the help of ACIAR, he believes his research will make a difference to rural citrus communities in Savaii to reduce food loss as a result of high citrus production and low market demand, promote waste valorization and create potential income generating opportunities for farmers. Additionally, studying pectin produce locally is practically the most critical start for value-added products develop in Samoa where thickener, emulsifiers and micro-encapsulating agent are required to achieve the most desirable sensory and rheological attributes.

  • Food Science & Technology - Advanced Food Chemistry, Food Material Science & Processing, and New Product Development and Innovation.

    Food Loss – Waste Reduction & valorization

    Poverty reduction – Potential Income Generating Opportunities through value-added

  • PhD in Agriculture

    Project Title: Characterization and modification of citrus pectin (Tahitian Lime and Mandarin) to improve pectin functional properties.

    ACIAR Project – HORT/2019/165

    Enhanced fruit systems for Tonga and Samoa (Phase 2): Community based citrus production

    Supervisor: Prof Surendra Prasad, USP
    Co-Supervisor: Prof Steven Underhill, University of the Sunshine Coast

    Click here for more information (available on the ACIAR website)

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Alesana Malo is a 2023 PASS-CR Scholar completing a PhD at The University of the South Pacific in Samoa studying citrus pectin in the Tahitian Lime and Mandarin to improve pectin functional properties.