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Our people-our expertise: Dr Ujang Tinggi

Our people-our expertise

Dr Ujang Tinggi

Qualifications | Research interests | Publications | Presentations | Memberships

Ujang Tinggi obtained his PhD from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) on the study of selenium speciation analysis, metabolism and bioavailability. He has worked at Queensland Health, Forensic and Scientific Services (FSS) since 1993, where he is currently in charge of trace metal analysis in the food section laboratory.

His work involves both research projects and laboratory analysis of a wide range of essential trace elements and toxic metals in a variety of foodstuffs and other biological materials.  His research projects involve collaboration with FSS staff and others from universities and research institutes. He has also undertaken supervision of PhD and Masters students’ research projects, and examined research theses. He has also been invited as a lecturer and a panel member for assessment of PhD candidature confirmation (QUT, UQ), and is regularly invited to peer review journal articles on area of trace elements and human health.

Qualifications

  • PhD in selenium chemistry, analysis, speciation, metabolism. Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld. (1997)
  • Master of Applied Science (Analytical Chemistry). Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld.
  • Bachelor of Applied Science (Applied Chemistry). University of Canberra, Canberra, ACT

Research interests and expertise

  • Trace element analysis and speciation
  • Bioavailability (bioaccessibility)
  • Metallomics
  • Nutrition and health risk assessment

Publications

Tinggi U, Perkins AV, (2022). Selenium status: Its interactions with dietary mercury exposure and implications in human health. Nutrients, 14. DOI: 10.3390/nu14245308

Fyfe S, Schirra HJ, Rychlik M, van Doorn A, Tinngi U, Sultanbawa Y, Smyth HE, (2022). Future flavours from the past: Sensory and nutritional profiles of green plum (Buchanania obovata), red bush apple (Syzygium suborbiculare) and wild peach (Terminalia carpentariae) from East Arnhem Land, Australia. Future Foods, 5, 100136. DOI: 10.1016/j.fufo.2022.100136

Zawawi N., Zhang J., Hungerford NL., Yates HSA., Webber DC., Farrell M., Tinggi U., Bhandari B., Fletcher MT. (2022) Unique physicochemical properties and rare reducing sugar trehalulose mandate new international regulation for stingless bee honey. Food Chemistry, 372, Part B: 131566. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.131566

Akter S, Addepalli R, Netzel M, Tinggi U, Fletcher M, Sultanbawa Y, Osborne S, (2021). In vitro Bioaccessibilty and Intestinal Absorption of Selected Bioactive Compounds in Terminalia ferdinandiana. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8:818195. DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2021.818195

Hungerford NL, Fletcher MT, Tsai HH, Hnatko D, Swann LJ, Kelly CL, Anuj SR, Tinggi U, Webber DC, Were ST, Tan BLL, (2021). Occurrence of environmental contaminants (pesticides, herbicides, PAHs) in Australian/Queensland Apis mellifera honey. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part B. DOI: 10.1080/19393210.2021.1914743

Komarova T, McKeating D, Perkins AV, Tinggi U, (2021). Trace Element Analysis in Whole Blood and Plasma for Reference Levels in a Selected Queensland Population, Australia. International Journal  of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18052652

Akter S, Netzel M, Tinggi U, Fletcher M, Osborne S, Sultanbawa Y, (2020). Interactions Between Phytochemicals and Minerals in Terminalia ferdinandiana and Implications for Mineral Bioavailability. Frontiers in Nutrition. DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2020.598219

Hungerford NL, Tinggi U, Tan BLL, Farrell M, Fletcher MT, (2020). Mineral and Trace Element Analysis of Australian/Queensland Apis mellifera Honey. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17(6304). DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17176304

Thi Phan AD, Chaliha M, Hong HT, Tinggi U, Netzel  ME, Sultanbawa Y. (2020) Nutritional Value and Antimicrobial Activity of Pittosporum angustifolium (Gumby Gumby), an Australian Indigenous Plant. Foods, 9(7): 887. DOI: 10.3390/foods9070887

Shelat KJ, Adiamo OQ, Mantilla SMO, Smyth HE, Tinggi U, Hickey S, Rühmann B, Sieber V, Sultanbawa Y. (2019) Overall Nutritional and Sensory Profile of Different Species of Australian Wattle Seeds (Acacia spp.): Potential Food Sources in the Arid Semi-Arid Regions. Foods, 8(10):482. DOI:10.3390/foods8100482

Akter S, Netzel M, Tinggi U, Osborne SA, Fletcher MT, Sultanbawa Y. (2019) Antioxidant rich extracts of Terminalia ferdinandiana inhibit the growth of foodborne bacteria. Foods, 8(8):281. DOI: 10.3390/foods8080281

Akter S, Addepalli R, Netzel M, Tinggi U, Fletcher MT, Sultanbawa Y, Osborne SA. (2019) Antioxidant-rich extracts of Terminalia ferdinandiana interfere with estimation of cell viability. Antioxidants, 8(6):191. DOI10.3390/antiox8060191

Karlenius TC, Shah F, Yu W-C, Hawkes H-J K, Tinggi U, Clarke FM, Tonissen KF. (2018) The selenium content of cell culture serum influences redox-regulated gene expression. BioTechniques, 50(5): 295-301. DOI: 10.2144/000113666

Tinggi U, Schoendorfer N. (2018) Analysis of lead and cadmium in cereal products and duplicate diets of a small group of selected Brisbane children for estimation of daily metal exposure. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, 50: 671-675. DOI: 10.1016/j.jtemb.2018.06.022

Akter S, Netzel M, Fletcher MT, Tinggi U, Sultanbawa Y. (2018) Chemical and nutritional composition of Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu Plum) kernels: a novel nutrition source. Foods, 7(4):60. DOI: 10.3390/foods7040060

Fyfe S, Netzel M, Tinggi U, Biehl E, Sultanbawa Y. (2018) Buchanania obovata: an Australian indigenous food for diet diversification. Nutrition and Dietetics: the journal of the Dietitians Association of Australia. 75(5):527-532. DOI: 10.1111/1747-0080.12437

Natusch DJD, Carter JF, Aust PW, Tri NV, Tinggi U, Mumpuni, Riyanto A, Lyons JA. (2017) Serpent's source: determining the source and geographic origin of traded python skins using isotopic and elemental markers. Biological Conservation, 209: 406–414. DOI: 10.1016/j.biocon.2017.02.042

Williams DJ, Edwards D, Pun S, Chaliha M, Burren B, Tinggi U,  Sultanbawa Y. (2016) Organic acids in Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana): the good (ellagic), the bad (oxalic) and the uncertain (ascorbic). Food Research International, 89(1): 237-244. DOI:10.1016/j.foodres.2016.08.004

Fry B, Carter JF, Tinggi U, Arman A, Kamal M, Metian M, Waduge VA, Yaccup RB (2016) Prawn biomonitors of nutrient and trace metal pollution along Asia-Pacific coastlines. Isotopes Environ Health Stud. 52(6): 619-32. DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2016.1149481

Tinggi U, Sadler R, Ng J, Noller B, Seawright A (2016) Bioavailability study of arsenic and mercury in traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) using an animal model after a single dose exposure. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2016 76: 51-6. DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2016.01.010

Fry B, Carter JF, Tinggi U, Arman A, Kamal M, Metian M, Waduge VA, Yaccup RB (2016) Prawn biomonitors of nutrient and trace metal pollution along Asia-Pacific coastlines. Isotopes in Environmental and Health Studies, 52(6):619-32. DOI: 10.1080/10256016.2016.1149481

Tinggi U, Schoendorfer N, Scheelings P, Yang X, Jurd S, Robinson A, Smith K, Piispanene J. (2015) Arsenic in rice and diets of children. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part B, 8(2):149-56. DOI: 10.1080/19393210.2015.1009177

Carter JF, Yates HSA, Tinggi U (2015) Isotopic and elemental composition of roasted coffee as a guide to authenticity and origin. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 63(24): 5771-5779. DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5b01526

Carter JF, Yates HSA, Tinggi U (2015) Stable isotope and chemical compositions of European and Australasian ciders as a guide to authenticity. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 63(3): 975-982. DOI: 10.1021/jf5030054

Carter JF, Tinggi U, Yang X, Fry B (2015) Stable isotope and trace metal compositions of Australian prawns as a guide to authenticity and wholesomeness. Food Chemistry, 170: 241-248. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2014.08.037

Carter JF, Yates HSA, Tinggi U (2015) A global survey of the stable isotope and chemical compositions of bottled and canned beers as a guide to authenticity. Science & Justice, 55(1):18-26. DOI: 10.1016/j.scijus.2014.05.002

Schoendorfer N, Tinggi U, Sharp N, Boyd R, Vitetta L, Davies PS (2012) Protein levels in enteral feeds: do these meet requirements in children with severe cerebral palsy? British Journal of Nutrition, 107(10):1476-81. DOI: 10.1017/S0007114511004533

Tinggi U, Schoendorfer N, Davies PSW, Scheelings P, Olszowy H (2012) Determination of iodine in selected foods and diets by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry after microwave alkaline digestion. Pure and Applied Chemistry, 84(2): 291-299. DOI: 10.1351/PAC-CON-11-08-03

Ghanthimathi S, Abdullah A, Surif S, Tinggi U, and Ahmad NI (2012) Comparison of microwave assisted acid digestion methods for ICP-MS determination of total arsenic in fish tissue. Sains Malaysiana, 41 (12). pp. 1557-1564.

Schoendorfer N, Tinggi U, Sharp N, Boyd R, Vitetta L, Davies PSW (2011) Micronutrient intakes in interally and orally fed children with severe cerebral palsy. e-SPEN, the European e-Journal of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism, 6(6): e259-e263. DOI: 10.1016/j.eclnm.2011.09.003

Presentations

Nov 2019: Analysis of Environmental Contaminants in Australian Honey and Comparison to Stingless Bee Honey from Queensland and Malaysia. with Hungerford NL, Tan B, Zawawi N, Farrell M, Tsai HH, Hnatko D, Swann LJ, Kelly CL, Anuj SR, Webber DC, Were S, Fletcher MT,  In: TropAg 2019, 11-13 November 2019, Brisbane, Australis

Nov 2019: Antimicrobial activity and ellagitannins from Terminalia Ferdinandiana with Akter S, Hong HT, Netzel M, Tinggi U, Osborne SA, Fletcher MT, Sultanbawa Y,. In: 3rd International Tropical Agricutlrue Conference (TROPAG 2019), Brisbane, Australia.

Nov 2018: Elemental analysis of honey products sold in Queensland markets and assessment of nutritional significance. In: ICFA 2018: 2nd International Conference on Food Analysis, Melbourne, Vic.

July 2018: Selection and Efficiency of Digestion Procedures. In: Asia Pacific Food Analysis Network (APFAN) workshop (Trends in Quality Management Your Laboratory's Proficiency), Jakarta, Indonesia.

July 2018: Sample preparation and digestion procedures in food analysis. In: Asia Pacific Food Analysis Network (APFAN) workshop Jakarta, Indonesia.

July 2018: [Keynote speaker] Mineral and trace element analysis, and the benefits of essential trace elements in human health. In: Asia Pacific Food Analysis Network (APFAN) workshop, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Nov 2017: Phytates and oxalates in Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana): toxins to be considered, with Akter S, Netzel M, Fletcher M, Sultanbawa Y. In: 2nd Queensland Annual Chemistry Symposium, Brisbane, Qld.

Nov 2017: Buchanania obovata: an Australian indigenous food for diet diversification, with Fyfe S, Netzel M, Biehl E,  Sultanbawa Y. In: TropAg 2017, Brisbane, Qld.

Nov 2017: Nutritional and anti-nutritional properties of Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu plum) from the Northern Territory, Australia [poster], with Akter S, Netzel M, Fletcher M, Williams DJ, Sultanbawa Y. In: TropAg 2017, Brisbane, Qld.

Jul 2017: Analysis of metals (toxic & essential) in foods and assessment of intakes in selected children. In: RACI Centenary Congress, Melbourne, Vic.

Nov 2013: Analysis of total arsenic and its species in Australian rice [poster]. In: 10th International Society of Trace Element Research in Humans conference, Tokyo, Japan.

Nov 2012: Dietary analysis and micronutrient intakes of children with cerebral palsy after supplement treatment. In: 6th Asian Conference on Food and Nutrition Safety, Singapore.

May 2012: Distribution of selenium compounds in rat tissues. In: 2nd Symposium on Trace Elements in Environment, Food and Health (STEEFH-2), Brisbane, Qld.

Jun 2011: Iodine content in food intakes in Australia. In: 4th International IUPAC Symposium for Trace Elements in Food, Aberdeen, Scotland.

Nov 2010: [Keynote speaker] Selenium and iodine content in foods and the nutritional status in Australia. In: International Conference on Food Research 2010, Putrajaya, Malaysia.

Jun 2010: Selenium status in children with cerebral palsy. In: 9th International Symposium on Selenium in Biology and Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.

May 2010: [Keynote speaker] Risk assessment of heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, arsenic, selenium) through foods and supplements. In: International Academic and Training Symposium on Food Safety and Analysis, Shaoxing, China.

Memberships


Dr Ujang Tinggi
Supervising Scientist, Inorganic Chemistry
Public and Environmental Health

email: ujang.tinggi@health.qld.gov.au
phone: + 61 7 3096 2803