School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability

Dr Marlize Bekker

Senior Lecturer
School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability
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Researcher biography

Dr Marlize Bekker is a Senior Lecturer in Food Chemistry in the School of Agriculture and Food Sustainability at The University of Queensland. She holds a PhD in Chemistry and has over fifteen years of experience in flavour and aroma chemistry across complex food and beverage systems. Her research focuses on how post-harvest processing and fermentation conditions shape flavour development, with current work spanning vanilla, coffee, cacao, wine, and distilled beverages. This includes elucidating the formation, fate, and sensory function of key volatile and non-volatile flavour constituents, and establishing mechanistic links between processing parameters, chemical composition, and sensory outcomes.

She also leads research on the chemical and sensory characterisation of Australian native plant materials and supports the development of high-value, culturally grounded food and beverage products in partnership with Indigenous communities. Her analytical expertise lies in advanced chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques for targeted and untargeted flavour profiling, integrated with sensory and consumer evaluation approaches.

The following Coursework Masters research projects are available:

  • Characterising the odour-active compounds in Australian native bushfoods
  • Developing novel beverages and snacks using Australian native bushfoods
  • Investigating the alcohol composition in distilled beverages.

Please register your interest by emailing m.bekker@uq.edu.au

Active projects:

  • A Deadly Solution: Combining Traditional Knowledge and Western Science for an Indigenous-led Bushfood Industry (ARC Discovery-Indigenous)
  • Maximising flavour throughout the vanilla production process (Faculty of Science BIRRST Partner 2024 funding scheme)
  • Exploring the Flavour Potential of Australian Cocoa (Faculty of Science BIRRST Partner 2024 funding scheme)
  • Unlocking Nature's Signals: Discovering the Semiochemicals for Effective Management of Australian Native Sugarcane Soldier Fly(Sugar Research Australia's 2024 Sugar Industry Research Award Round)
  • Optimising Cold Brew Tea Extraction and Concentration Processes (FaBA Industry Kickstarter)

Recently completed projects:

  • Identifying heirloom sugarcane varieties with high sugar and unique flavour profiles (UQ's Agri-Food Innovation Alliance (AFIA) Industry Kickstarter Grant program)
  • Identifying the desirable flavour, aroma, and sensory profiles of novel Australian native lime hybrids (UQ's Agri-Food Innovation Alliance (AFIA) Industry Kickstarter Grant program)

Publications

Book Chapters (4)
Journal Articles (29)
Conference Papers (6)

Book Chapters

Bekker, Marlize and Thomson, Matt (2023). Hydrogen sulfide. The Oxford companion to wine. (pp. 369-370) edited by Julia Harding, Jancis Robinson and Tara Q. Thomas. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.
Bekker, Marlize and Clark, Andrew (2021). Metal ions and complexes. Theory and concepts of chemical, physical and sensory analyses and tests of grapes and wine. (pp. 99-103) edited by Patrick Iland. Adelaide, SA Australia: Patrick Iland Wine Promotions.
Bekker, Marlize and Clark, Andrew (2021). Gases. Theory and concepts of chemical, physical and sensory analyses and tests of grapes and wine. (pp. 104-119) edited by Patrick Iland. Adelaide, SA Australia: Patrick Iland Wine Promotions.
Burger, Barend V., Viviers, Marlize Z., Morris, John, Bekker, Jan P. I. and Le Roux, Maritha (2013). Neonatal recognition in sheep. Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 12. (pp. 61-75) Springer New York. doi: 10.1007/9781461459279

Journal Articles

Hou, Yu, Bekker, Marlize Z., Siebert, Tracey E. and Jeffery, David W. (2025). Persistence of wine polysulfides: Investigation of the stability of isolated glutathione and cysteine species. Food Chemistry, 486 144603, 144603-486. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.144603
Thomya, Sureerat, Tangpao, Tibet, Chung, Hsiao-Hang, Bekker, Marlize Z., Rachtanapun, Pornchai, Phimolsiripol, Yuthana, Sommano, Sarana Rose and Wongkaew, Malaiporn (2025). Ripening and thermal processing effects on avocado pulp product: A novel approach to physicochemical, fatty acid, and bitterness transformations. LWT, 225 117926, 117926. doi: 10.1016/j.lwt.2025.117926
Secretaria, Leizel B., Hoffman, Eleanor, Bekker, Marlize and Joyce, Daryl (2025). A Contemporary Review of Preharvest Mineral Nutrient Management and Defense Elicitor Treatments for Robust Fresh Produce. Horticulturae, 11 (6) 596, 596-6. doi: 10.3390/horticulturae11060596
Nastasi, Joseph Robert, Bekker, Marlize, Fredericks, Bronwyn, Fitzgerald, Melissa A and Chapman, Dale (2025). Macronutrient and Mineral Composition of Australian Indigenous Spices: Nutritional Opportunities and Considerations for Food Product Development. International Journal of Food Science and Technology, 60 (1) vvaf104, 1. doi: 10.1093/ijfood/vvaf104
Bekker, Marlize Zaretha, Kulcsar, Allie Cherie, Jouin, Alicia Loreto and Laurie, Victor Felipe (2025). Tannin additions decrease the concentration of malodorous volatile sulfur compounds in wine-like model solutions and wine. Food Chemistry, 471 142777, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.142777
Cordente, Antonio G., Kulcsar, Allie G., Langone, Deanna, Pisaniello, Lisa, Siebert, Tracey E. and Bekker, Marlize Z. (2024). Modulation of the ‘flinty’ aroma compound phenylmethanethiol during fermentation: impacts of yeast starter culture and nitrogen supplementation. OENO One, 58 (3), 1-14. doi: 10.20870/oeno-one.2024.58.3.8067
Zhang, Xinyi, Bekker, Marlize Z., Kulcsar, Allie C., Nandorfy, Damian Espinase and Clark, Andrew C. (2024). Comparison of techniques for the quantitation of reductive aroma compounds in white wine: links to sensory analysis and Cu fractions. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 72 (19), 11051-11061. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.4c01419
Bekker, Marlize Z., Taraji, Maryam, Hysenaj, Vilma and Lloyd, Natoiya (2024). Accurate measurement of sulfhydryls and TCEP-releasable sulfhydryls in the liquid phase of wine that contribute to ‘reductive’ aromas using LC-MS/MS. Heliyon, 10 (7) e28929, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28929
Espinase Nandorfy, Damian, Likos, Desireé, Lewin, Simone, Barter, Sheridan, Kassara, Stella, Wang, Shaoyang, Kulcsar, Allie, Williamson, Patricia, Bindon, Keren, Bekker, Marlize, Gledhill, John, Siebert, Tracey, Shellie, Robert A., Keast, Russell and Francis, Leigh (2023). Enhancing the sensory properties and consumer acceptance of warm climate red wine through blending. OENO One, 57 (4) 7651, 1-18. doi: 10.20870/oeno-one.2023.57.3.7651
Espinase Nandorfy, Damian, Siebert, Tracey, Bilogrevic, Eleanor, Likos, Desireé, Watson, Flynn, Barter, Sheridan, Pisaniello, Lisa, Kulcsar, Allie, Shellie, Robert A., Keast, Russell, Francis, Leigh and Bekker, Marlize (2023). The role of potent thiols in “empyreumatic” flint/struck-match/mineral odours in Chardonnay wine. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, 2023 8847476, 1-17. doi: 10.1155/2023/8847476
Bekker, Marlize Z., Cuijvers, Kathleen M., Kulcsar, Allie C., Sanders, Ross D., Capone, Dimitra L., Jeffery, David W. and Schmidt, Simon A. (2023). Effects of yeast strain and juice nitrogen status on glutathione utilisation during fermentation of model media. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, 2023 8041096, 1-13. doi: 10.1155/2023/8041096
Mierczynska-Vasilev, Agnieszka M., Kulcsar, Allie C., Dabare, Panthihage Ruvini L., Vasilev, Krasimir A. and Bekker, Marlize Z. (2023). Surface nanoengineering technology for the removal of sulfur compounds associated with negative attributes in wines. n p j Science of Food, 7 (1) 5, 5. doi: 10.1038/s41538-023-00180-8
Day, M. P., Nandorfy, D. Espinase, Bekker, M. Z., Bindon, K. A., Solomon, M., Smith, P. A. and Schmidt, S. A. (2021). Aeration of Vitis vinifera Shiraz fermentation and its effect on wine chemical composition and sensory attributes. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, 27 (3), 360-377. doi: 10.1111/ajgw.12490
Bekker, M. Z., Nandorfy, D. Espinase, Kulcsar, A. C., Faucon, A., Bindon, K. and Smith, P. A. (2020). Comparison of remediation strategies for decreasing 'reductive' characters in Shiraz wines. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, 27 (1), 52-65. doi: 10.1111/ajgw.12459
Burger, Barend, Slade, Desmond, Bekker, Marlize Z. and Goitom, Aron H. (2020). Mammalian exocrine secretions XIX. Chemical characterization of the interdigital secretion of the Black Wildebeest, Connochaetes gnou. Zeitschrift Fur Naturforschung Section C-A Journal of Biosciences, 75 (9-10), 339-351. doi: 10.1515/znc-2019-0159
Bekker, Marlize Z., Day, Martin P. and Smith, Paul A. (2019). Changes in Metal Ion Concentrations in a Chardonnay Wine Related to Oxygen Exposure during Vinification. Molecules, 24 (8) 1523, 1523. doi: 10.3390/molecules24081523
Kontoudakis, Nikolaos, Schmidtke, Leigh M., Bekker, Marlize Z., Smith, Mark, Smith, Paul A., Scollary, Geoffrey R., Wilkes, Eric N. and Clark, Andrew C. (2019). Analytical strategies for the measurement of different forms of Cu and Fe in wine: Comparison between approaches in relation to wine composition. Food Chemistry, 274, 89-99. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.08.084
Bekker, Marlize Z., Kreitman, Gal Y., Jeffer, David W. and Danilewicz, John C. (2018). Liberation of Hydrogen Sulfide from Dicysteinyl Polysulfanes in Model Wine. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 66 (51), 13483-13491. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b04690
Bekker, Marlize Z., Wilkes, Eric N. and Smith, Paul A. (2018). Evaluation of putative precursors of key 'reductive' compounds in wines post-bottling. Food Chemistry, 245, 676-686. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.10.123
Burger, B. V., Posta, M., Light, M. E., Kulkarni, M. G., Viviers, M. Z. and Van Staden, J. (2018). More butenolides from plant-derived smoke with germination inhibitory activity against karrikinolide. South African Journal of Botany, 115, 256-263. doi: 10.1016/j.sajb.2018.01.023
Bekker, Marlize Z., Mierczynska-Vasilev, Agnieszka, Smith, Paul A. and Wilkes, Eric N. (2016). The effects of pH and copper on the formation of volatile sulfur compounds in Chardonnay and Shiraz wines post-bottling. Food Chemistry, 207, 148-156. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2016.03.060
Bekker, Marlize Z., Smith, Mark E., Smith, Paul A. and Wilkes, Eric N. (2016). Formation of Hydrogen Sulfide in Wine: Interactions between Copper and Sulfur Dioxide. Molecules, 21 (9) 1214, 1214. doi: 10.3390/molecules21091214
Bekker, M. Z., Day, M. P., Holt, H., Wilkes, E. and Smith, P. A. (2016). Effect of oxygen exposure during fermentation on volatile sulfur compounds in Shiraz wine and a comparison of strategies for remediation of reductive character. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, 22 (1), 24-35. doi: 10.1111/ajgw.12172
Smith, M. E., Bekker, M. Z., Smith, P. A. and Wilkes, E. N. (2015). Sources of volatile sulfur compounds in wine. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, 21, 705-712. doi: 10.1111/ajgw.12193
Viviers, Marlize Z., Bekker, Jan P. I., Burger, Barend V., Le Roux, Niel J., Morris, John and Le Roux, Maritha (2015). Characterization of amniotic fluid of Dohne Merino ewes (Ovis aries) and its possible role in neonatal recognition. Zeitschrift Fur Naturforschung Section C-A Journal of Biosciences, 70 (5-6), 115-128. doi: 10.1515/znc-2014-4120
Viviers, Marlize Z., Burger, Barend V., le Roux, Niel J., Morris, John and le Roux, Maritha (2014). Temporal Changes in the Neonatal Recognition Cue of Dohne Merino Lambs (Ovis aries). Chemical Senses, 39 (3), 249-262. doi: 10.1093/chemse/bjt075
Viviers, Marlize Z., Smith, Mark E., Wilkes, Eric and Smith, Paul (2013). Effects of Five Metals on the Evolution of Hydrogen Sulfide, Methanethiol, and Dimethyl Sulfide during Anaerobic Storage of Chardonnay and Shiraz Wines. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 61 (50), 12385-12396. doi: 10.1021/jf403422x
Burger, Barend V., Viviers, Marlize Z., Le Roux, Neil J., Morris, John, Bekker, Jan P. I. and Le Roux, Maritha (2011). Olfactory Cue Mediated Neonatal Recognition in Sheep, Ovis aries. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 37 (10), 1150-1163. doi: 10.1007/s10886-011-0020-7
Burger, B. V., Viviers, M. Z., Bekker, J. P. I., le Roux, M., Fish, N., Fourie, W. B. and Weibchen, G. (2008). Chemical characterization of territorial marking fluid of male Bengal tiger, Panthera tigris. Journal of Chemical Ecology, 34 (5), 659-671. doi: 10.1007/s10886-008-9462-y

Conference Papers

Saadah, Imas R., Mason, Patrick, D. Poudel, Pragya, Bekker, Marlize, Smyth, Heather E. and Alam, Mobashwer (2025). Unravelling the genetic basis of sensory traits in passionfruit: a genomic approach to flavour improvement. TropAg 2025, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 11-13 November 2025.
Li, Huanhuan, Smyth, Heather, Bekker, Marlize, Rudge, Raisa and Marcellin, Esteban (2025). Understanding the sensory gap between no and low alcohol (NOLO) wine and traditional wine. NZOZ Sensory and Consumer Science Symposium, Palmerston North, New Zealand, 19-21 February 2025.
Li, Huanhuan, Bekker, Marlize, Rudge, Raisa, Marcellin, Esteban and Smyth, Heather (2024). Understanding the sensory gap between no and low alcohol (NOLO) wine and traditional wine. Crush 2024, Adelaide, SA Australia, 25 - 26 September 2024.
Li, Huanhuan, Bekker, Marlize, Rudge, Raisa, Marcellin, Esteban and Smyth, Heather (2024). Understanding the sensory gap between no and low alcohol (NOLO) wine and traditional wine. QSA NextGen Ag Symposium 2024, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 6 September 2024.
Bekker, Marlize, Smith, Mark, Mierczynska-Vasilev, Agnieszka, Smith, Paul and Wilkes, Eric (2016). Synergistic effects of copper and pH - wine making variables that significantly impact reductive aromas in wines. ACS Spring 2016: Computers in Chemistry, San Diego, CA United States, 13 - 17 March 2016. Washington, DC United States: American Chemical Society.
Burger, Barend V., Viviers, Marlize Z., le Roux, Niel J., Morris, John, Bekker, Jan P. I. and le Roux, Maritha (2013). Neonatal recognition in sheep. 12th Meeting of the Chemical Signals in Vertebrates International Symposium, Berlin, Germany, 28-31 August 2011. New York, United States: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4614-5927-9_5

Areas of research

Food science and technology