Dr Olga de Smidt
Research Scientist and Deputy Director, Centre for Applied Food Sustainability and Biotechnology (CAFSaB)
Qualifications: BSc | BSc Hons Genetics | MSc Biochemistry | PhD Biochemistry
Professional Background
Olga de Smidt is a Research Scientist and Deputy Director of the Centre for Applied Food Sustainability and Biotechnology (CAFSaB). She holds a PhD in Biochemistry from the University of the Free State and has 14 years of multidisciplinary research experience in environmental and food microbial ecology.
She leads the NRF-funded Food Industry Effluents Characterisation research initiative, which focuses on the diversity and functionality of microbiomes associated with food industry effluents.
She also oversees the Unit for Brewing and Functional Fermentations, known as the CUTbrU Beer Lab. The CUTbrU Beer Lab established the “Malt2Moolah” product development value chain, which received the Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Award for Innovation in 2020.
Areas of Expertise
- • Environmental Molecular Biology
- • Fermentation Biotechnology
Selected Publications
- • Nhlapo, N., Dzogbewu, T.C. & de Smidt, O. (2022). Nanofiber Polymers for Coating Titanium-Based Biomedical Implants. Fibers, 10, 36. DOI →
- • Theisinger, S.M., de Smidt, O. & Lues, J.F.R. (2021). Categorisation of Culturable Bioaerosols in a Fruit Juice Manufacturing Facility. PLOS ONE, 16(4), e0242969. DOI →
- • Baah, G., Manduna, I.T., de Smidt, O. & Malebo, N.J. (2021). Evaluation of Phytochemical and Anti-Yeast Properties of Moringa oleifera Extracts as Potential Natural Preservative in Fruit Juice. Acta Horticulturae, 1306, 269-276. DOI →
- • Nwigwe, C.S., Fossey, A. & de Smidt, O. (2021). Characterisation of Eucalyptus Rhizospheric Communities Using Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAMEs) Profile Analysis. African Journal of Plant and Soil, 38(2), 116-125. DOI →
- • Cason, E.D., Mahlomaholo, B.J., Taole, M.M., Abong, G.O., Vermeulen, J., de Smidt, O., Vermeulen, M., Steyn, L., Valverde & Viljoen, B. (2020). Bacterial and Fungal Dynamics During the Fermentation Process of Sesotho, a Traditional Beer of Southern Africa. Frontiers in Microbiology, 11, 1451. DOI →
Book Chapter
- • Theisinger, S.M. & de Smidt, O. (2017). Bioaerosols in the Food and Beverage Industry. In M. Stauffer (Ed.), Ideas and Applications Toward Sample Preparation in Food and Beverage Analysis, pp. 51-75. INTECH. ISBN: 978-953-51-3686-6. DOI →
Conference Proceedings & Presentations
- • Theisinger, S.M., de Smidt, O. & Lues, J.F.R. (2019). Bioaerosols in a Fruit Juice Manufacturing Facility – Harmful, Harmless, or Perhaps Helpful. Annual International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Conference, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
- • Abdul, R.A., de Smidt, O. & Swanepoel, H. (2019). Evaluation of Different Disinfectants on Isolated Yeast and Biofilm-Associated Microbiota from a Beverage Production Facility. Annual International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) Conference, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
- • Nhlapo, N., Dzogbewu, T.C. & de Smidt, O. (2019). A Systematic Review on Improving the Biocompatibility of Titanium Implants Using Nanoparticles. 20th International Conference of the Rapid Product Development, RAPDASA, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
- • Cason, E.D., Mahlomaholo, B.J., Taole, M.M., Abong, G.O., Vermeulen, J., de Smidt, O. et al. (2019). Insights into the Microbial Diversity and Distribution During the Sesotho Fermentation Process. 8th Congress of European Microbiologists (FEMS 2019), Glasgow, Scotland.
- • Baah, G., Manduna, I.T., de Smidt, O. & Malebo, N.J. (2019). Evaluation of Phytochemical and Anti-Yeast Properties of Moringa oleifera Extracts as Potential Natural Preservative in Fruit Juice. II International Symposium on Moringa, Pretoria, South Africa.
