Faculty of Medicine - Full time Academic Staff

YU, XI

Associate Professor of Food Science, Food Safety, and Materials Science

Office: Room PP-R207d, Est. Seak Pai Van Praia Park , Rés-Do-Chão R, Coloane, Macau

E-mail: xyu@must.edu.mo

Dr. Yu Xi is currently an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Medicine, Macau University of Science and Technology. She received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Jilin University, her PhD from the National University of Singapore, and completed her postdoctoral research at Nanyang Technological University. Her current research areas include food and TCM safety analysis, nanosensor fabrication, functionality delivery, plant-based innovative material development, and AI-assisted analytical technology development. She has published over ninety SCI papers in top industry journals, including Trends in Food Science & Technology, Food Chemistry，Journal of Hazardous Materials, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry，Analytical Chemistry etc. She was invited to serve as a youth editorial board member for Food Research and Development, Journal of Light Industry, and Advanced Gut & Microbiome Research, as well as a guest editor for Frontiers in Nutrition，Foods，Healthcare, International Journal of Molecular Science etc. She also serves as a member of the Student Affairs Office of the Macau University of Science and Technology, a member of the Macau Higher Education Development Promotion Association, an expert reviewer for the Macau Quality Brand Promotion Center of the Hengqin Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone, a member of the Hengqin-Macau Health Education Expert Group of the Hengqin Guangdong-Macau In-Depth Cooperation Zone, and a member of the Environmental Exposure and Health Risk Control Professional Committee of the Guangdong Provincial Environmental Science Society.Her research has been reported by media outlets such as The Strait Times and TDM. She has led 3 projects funded by the Macao Science and Technology Development Fund, 1 project funded by the Macao Foundation, 1 project funded by the Sichuan Provincial International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Fund, 1 project funded by the Zhuhai Municipal Industry-University-Research Cooperation Fund, 2 projects funded by the Macao University of Science and Technology Foundation, and participated in 1 key research project funded by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Joint Laboratory Construction Project and 1 project funded by the Wilmar International Arowana Nutrition and Safety Research Fund.
The research group welcomes students with backgrounds in food science and technology, chemistry, materials science, pharmacy, and biological sciences to apply for master's and doctoral programs.

Academic Qualification

PhD, Food Science and Technology, National University of Singapore;

MSc, Analytical Chemistry, Jilin University

BSc, Chemistry, Jilin University

Teaching Area

Introduction to Nutrition Science, Fundamental Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Material Science

Research Area

Food and TCM safety analysis, nanosensor fabrication, functionality delivery, plant-based innovative material development, and AI-assisted analytical technology development.

Working Experience

Associate Professor, Macau University of Science and Technology (2025-)

Assistant Professor, Macau University of Science and Technology (2019-2025)

Postdoc Research Fellow, Nanyang Technological University (2018-2019)

Research Associate, Dalian Institute of Chemical and Physics, Chinese Academy of Science (2013-2014)

Academic Publication (selected)

1. Guo, Z., Yan, Z., Chen, Y., Ieong, W. I., Zhong, T., Xiao, Y., & Yu, X*. (2025). Protective role of natural saccharides in frozen animal food formulations: Enhancing cryopreservation during cold treatment. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 321, 146222.

2. Gao, J., Zhao, X., He, Y., Xu, W., Zhou, Y., Feng, X., He, G., Zhong, T., Peng, Y., Xiao, Y., Yu, X*. (2025). Low temperature clean-up combined with magnetic solid phase extraction for rapid and sensitive detection of crystal violet and malachite green in eels. Microchemical Journal, 216, 114787.

3. Guo, Z., Feng, X., Han, J., Zhong, T., Zheng, Z., Xiao, Y., & Yu, X.* (2025). Inhibitory effects of κ-carrageenan oligosaccharides on histamine formation in Atlantic mackerel (Scomber scombrus) during cold storage. Food Bioscience, 64, 105921.

4. Tao, Y., Wu, M., Su, B., Lin, H., Li, Q., Zhong, T., Xiao, Y., & Yu, X*. (2025). Impact of Vitamin B1 and Vitamin B2 Supplementation on Anxiety, Stress, and Sleep Quality: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Nutrients, 17(11), 1821.

5. Si, X., Si, Y., Lu, Z., Zhong, T., Xiao, Y., Wang, Z., & Yu, X*. (2025). Mechanisms of fatigue and molecular diagnostics: The application of bioactive compounds in fatigue relief research. Food Bioscience, 68, 106523.

6. Zhang, L., Chen, Y., Yang, Q., Guo, J., Zhou, S., Zhong, T., Xiao, Y., Yu, X., Feng, K., Peng, Y., Han, Z., Feng, F., Wang, L*. (2025). The Impact of Dietary Fiber on Cardiovascular Diseases: A Scoping Review. Nutrients, 17(3), 444.

7. Guo, Y., Zhu, Y., Wang, Y., Yin, H., Han, L., Zhong, T., Xiao, Y., Lam, L., Yu, X*. (2025). The influence of anti-COVID-19 measures on the incidence of hand-foot-mouth disease in Zhanggong district of Ganzhou city in China. Heliyon, 11(2).

8. Chen, Z., Zhu, M., Ni, W., Wu, B., Liu, T., Lin, B., Lai, L., Jing, Y., Jiang, L., Ouyang, Z., Hu, J., Zheng, H., Peng, W., Yu, X.*, Fan, J.*, Association of PM2.5 exposure in early pregnancy and maternal liver function: A retrospective cohort study in Shenzhen, China. Environmental Research 2024, 263, 119934.

9. Chen, Z., Wang, A., Qin, Y., Chen, X., Feng, X., He, G., Zhu, X., Xiao, Y., Yu, X.*, Zhong, T.*, Zhang, K., Preparation of a thermosensitive and antibacterial in situ gel using poloxamer-quaternized chitosan for sustained ocular delivery of Levofloxacin hydrochloride. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 2024, 283, 137479.

10. He, G., Xie, R., Hou, X.*, Yu, X.*, Qiu, S., Qin, S., Wang, F., Chen, X., Safety risk of using asomate to reduce acid in Citrus production. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis 2024, 134, 106537.

11. Qin, Y., Chen, Z., Peng, Y., Xiao, Y., Zhong, T*., Yu, X.*, Deep learning methods for protein structure prediction. MedComm–Future Medicine 2024, 3 (3), e96.

12. Guo, Z., Feng, X., He, G., Yang, H., Zhong, T., Xiao, Y., Yu, X.*, Using bioactive compounds to mitigate the formation of typical chemical contaminants generated during the thermal processing of different food matrices. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety 2024, 23 (5), e13409.

13. Zhao, X., Zhai, L., Chen, J., Zhou, Y., Gao, J., Xu, W., Li, X., Liu, K., Zhong, T., Xiao, Y., Yu, X*., Recent Advances in Microfluidics for the Early Detection of Plant Diseases in Vegetables, Fruits, and Grains Caused by Bacteria, Fungi, and Viruses. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2024, 72 (28), 15401-15415.

14. Wang, A., Chen, Z., Feng, X., He, G., Zhong, T., Xiao, Y., Yu, X*., Magnetic-gold nanoparticle-mediated paper-based biosensor for highly sensitive colorimetric detection of food adulteration. Journal of Hazardous Materials 2024, 475, 134849.

15. Dong, Y., Wu, T., Jiang, T., Zhu, W., Chen, L., Cao, Y., Xiao, Y., Peng, Y., Wang, L., Yu, X*., Zhong, T*., Chitosan-coated liposome with lysozyme-responsive properties for on-demand release of levofloxacin. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 2024, 269, 132271.

16. Zhao, X., Wang, A., Zhai, L., Gao, J., Lyu, S., Jiang, Y., Zhong, T., Xiao, Y., Yu, X*., Magnetic solid phase extraction coupled to HPLC-UV for highly sensitive analysis of mono-hydroxy polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urine. Analytica Chimica Acta 2024, 1285, 342020.

17. He, Y., Yu, X*., Review on the application of upconversion nanomaterials in heavy metal detection. Food Health 2024, 6(3), 11.

18. Zhao, X., Gao, J., Zhai, L., Yu, X.*, Xiao, Y*. Recent Evidence on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Exposure Healthcare 2023, 11(13), 1958.

19. Zhang, Y., Qiu, J., Yang, K., Lu, Y., Xu, Z., Yang, H., Xu, Y., Wang, L., Lin, Y., Tong, X., He, J., Xiao, Y., Sun, X., Huang, R., Yu, X.*, Zhong, T.*, Generation, mechanisms, kinetics, and effects of gaseous chlorine dioxide in food preservation. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety 2023, 22 (4), 3105-3129.

20. Wu, T., Zhu, W., Chen, L., Jiang, T., Dong, Y., Wang, L., Tong, X., Zhou, H., Yu, X., Peng, Y., Wang, L., Xiao, Y., Zhong, T.*, A review of natural plant extracts in beverages: Extraction process, nutritional function, and safety evaluation. Food Research International 2023, 172, 113185.

21. Zhao, X., Feng, X., Chen, J., Zhang, L., Zhai, L., Lv, S., Ye, Y., Chen, Y., Zhong, T., Yu, X.*, Xiao, Y.*, Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Tea Leaves Using Magnetic Approach. Foods 2023, 12 (11), 2270.

22. Chen, S., Feng, X., Yu, X.*, Editorial: Advances on innovative protein-based complexes with promising functionality, nutrient retention and encapsulation capacity. Frontiers in Nutrition 2023, 10,1217964.

23. Lu, Y., Li, Z., Chen, Q., Fan, Y., Wang, J., Ye, Y., Chen, Y., Zhong, T., Wang, L., Xiao, Y., Zhang, D.*, Yu, X.*, Association of working hours and cumulative fatigue among Chinese primary health care professionals. Frontiers in Public Health 2023, 11, 1193942.

24. Wang, A., Feng, X., He, G., Xiao, Y., Zhong, T., Yu, X.*, Recent advances in digital microfluidic chips for food safety analysis: Preparation, mechanism and application. Trends in Food Science & Technology 2023, 134, 136-148.

25. Ahmad, T., Li, G., Wang, J., Li, M., Xiao, Y., Yu, X., Zheng, Y., Moosa, A., Nie, C., Liu, Y.*, First Report of Bacterial Leaf Spot of Ficus benghalensis Caused by Pseudomonas cichorii in Pakistan. Plant Disease 2023, 107 (2), 552.

26. Fu, C., Yu, X., Guo, H.*, You, C.*, Du, J.*, Recent Advances and Product Opportunities in the Technology of Proteins, Frontiers in Nutrition 2023, 10, 1126929.

27. Tao, A., Zhang, H., Duan, J., Xiao, Y., Liu, Y., Li, J., Huang, J., Zhong, T.*, Yu, X.*, Mechanism and application of fermentation to remove beany flavor from plant-based meat analogs: A mini review. Frontiers in Microbiology 2022, 13,1070773.

28. Lu, Y., Li, Z., Fan, Y., Wang, J., Zhong, T., Wang, L., Xiao, Y., Zhang, D.*, Chen, Q.*, Yu, X.*, The Mediating Role of Cumulative Fatigue on the Association between Occupational Stress and Depressive Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study among 1327 Chinese Primary Healthcare Professionals. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2022, 19 (23), 15477.

29. Li, X., Su, L., Zhang, X., Chen, Q., Wang, Y., Shen, Z., Zhong, T., Wang, L., Xiao, Y., Feng, X.*, Yu, X.,* Recent Advances on the Function and Purification of Milk Exosomes: A Review. Frontiers in Nutrition 2022, 9, 871346.

30. Yu, X., Zhong, T.*, Zhang, Y., Zhao, X., Xiao, Y.*, Wang, L., Liu, X., Zhang, X., Design, Preparation, and Application of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Food Safety Analysis: A Review of Recent Advances. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2021, 70 (1), 46-62.

31. Yu, X., Zuo, T*., Editorial: Food Additives, Cooking and Processing: Impact on the Microbiome. Frontiers in Nutrition 2021, 8, 731040.

32. Yu, X., Lim, C. Y. X., Dong, B., Hadinoto, K*., Development of magnetic solid phase extraction platform for the purification of bioactive γ-glutamyl peptides from garlic (Allium sativum). LWT-Food Science and Technology 2020, 127, 109410.

33. Yu, X., Lee, J. K., Liu, H., & Yang, H. Synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles to detect Sudan dye adulteration in chilli powders. Food Chemistry 2019, 299, 125144.

34. Yu, X., Li, Z., Zhao, M., Lau, S. C. S., Ru Tan, H., Teh, W. J., Yang, H., Zheng, C., Zhang, Y.Quantification of aflatoxin B1 in vegetable oils using low temperature clean-up followed by immuno-magnetic solid phase extraction. Food Chemistry 2019, 275, 390-396.

35. Yu, X.; Li, Y.; Ng, M.; Yang, H.; Wang, S., Comparative study of pyrethroids residue in fruit peels and fleshes using polystyrene-coated magnetic nanoparticles based clean-up techniques. Food Control 2018, 85, 300-307.

36. Yu, X.; Ang, H. C.; Yang, H.; Zheng, C.; Zhang, Y., Low temperature cleanup combined with magnetic nanoparticle extraction to determine pyrethroids residue in vegetables oils. Food Control 2017, 74, 112-120.

37. Yu, X.; Yang, H., Pyrethroid residue determination in organic and conventional vegetables using liquid-solid extraction coupled with magnetic solid phase extraction based on polystyrene-coated magnetic nanoparticles. Food Chemistry 2017, 217, 303-310.

38. Yu, X.; Sun, Y.; Jiang, C.-Z.; Gao, Y.; Wang, Y.-P.; Zhang, H.-Q.; Song, D.-Q., Magnetic solid-phase extraction and ultrafast liquid chromatographic detection of Sudan dyes in red wines, juices, and mature vinegars. Journal of Separation Science 2012, 35 (23), 3403-3411.

39. Yu, X.; Sun, Y.; Jiang, C.; Sun, X.; Gao, Y.; Wang, Y.; Zhang, H.; Song, D., Magnetic solid-phase extraction of five pyrethroids from environmental water samples followed by ultrafast liquid chromatography analysis. Talanta 2012, 98, 257-264.

Books

1. Safety and Practice for Organic Food, Chapter 5: From a Perspective of Nutrition: Importance of Organic Foods over Conventional Counterparts. Zheng Y; Yu X; Yang H*; Wang S. Elsevier. 2019. ISBN: 978-0-12-812060-6.

Patents

1. National invention patent: A method for the prediction of fish fillet freshness. Application No.: 202411586894.7. Inventors：Yu, X, Lu, Y., Wang, Y.

2. National invention patent: A composition that inhibits histamine production. Application No.: 202411429822.1. Inventors：Yu, X, Guo, Z.

3. National invention patent:A kind of microcapsule for inhibiting the beany flavor of protein and its application. Application No.:202411134245.3. Inventors：Yu, X, Chen, Z., Zhong, T., Zhang, K.

4. National invention patent: A formulation for ocular use. Inventors：Yu, X,

5. National invention patent: Novel kit and method for the detection of target DNA. Application No.: 202410742144.8. Inventors：Yu, X, Wang, A., Wang, Z., Chen, Y.

6. National invention patent: Novel kit and method for the detection of adulterants in meat products. Application No.: 202410742128.9. Inventors：Yu, X, Wang, A., Wang, Z., Chen, Y.

7. National invention patent:Novel detection method for Sudan dye pollution in water. Patent No.: ZL201110157977.0, Inventors：Song D，Sun Y，Jiang C，Yu X，Zhang L，Sun X，Gao Y.

Professional Certification and Awards

1. 澳門科學技術發展基金年度研究生科技研發獎，論文導師

2.“莫干山杯”全國大學生標準化奧林匹克競賽二等獎，指導教師

3. “天食杯”第四屆食品研究與開發創新創意大賽全國三等獎，指導教師

4. 新加坡國立大學食品科技係“年度最優秀畢業生”

5. 吉林大學研究生國家獎學金

Professional Society Membership

澳門高等教育發展促進會會員，橫琴粵澳深度合作區澳質品牌促進中心評審專家，橫琴粵澳深度合作區琴澳健康教育專家團成員，廣東省環境科學學會環境暴露與健康風險控制專業委員會委員，中國食品科學技術學會會員。