About

Josip Simunovic is a Research Professor in the Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences department at North Carolina State University, located in the Schaub Food Science Building. His expertise encompasses continuous flow thermal processing of foods and beverages, including microwave heating, pasteurization, and sterilization of foods and biomaterials. He has developed technology bases for four start-up companies, with these technologies leading to new product introductions in North America and Europe. Dr. Simunovic has contributed significantly to the development and commercialization of advanced continuous flow sterilization processes, including multiphase aseptic processing using conventional, microwave, and ohmic thermal methods. He has also developed and tested thermo-sensitive sensors and implants for evaluating and validating advanced thermal sterilization processes in both in-pack and batch formats. His research and innovations have earned him numerous awards and recognitions, including the North Carolina State University Kenneth R. Keller Award for Excellence in Research, the Food Technology Industrial Achievement Award from the Institute of Food Technologists, and the USDA/ARS Technology Transfer Award. He holds a Ph.D. in Food Science from North Carolina State University, an M.S. in Food Science and Human Nutrition from the University of Florida, and a B.S. in Food Technology from the University of Josip Juraj Strossmayer.

Research topics

• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Food science
• Business
• Organic chemistry
• Materials science
• Engineering
• Computer Security
• Biochemistry
• Medicine
• Biochemical engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Telecommunications
• Composite material
• Chromatography
• Internal medicine
• Process engineering
• Thermodynamics
• Economics

Selected publications

• Kompleks na bazi proteina mlijeka i soka nara : sastav polifenola i moguća primjena u inhibiciji rasta stanica karcinoma debelog crijeva

  2025-01-01

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Encapsulation of Chokeberry Polyphenols by Ionic Gelation: Impact of Pullulan and Disaccharides Addition to Alginate Beads

  Applied Sciences · 2025-06-04 · 4 citations

  articleOpen access

  Alginate is one of the most utilized biopolymers for the encapsulation of polyphenols throughout ionic gelation. For improvement in the encapsulation of polyphenols, other biopolymers and/or fillers can be employed. The purpose of this study was to include pullulan and/or disaccharides in an alginate encapsulation mixture to monitor whether we would achieve higher encapsulation of chokeberry juice polyphenols. Alginate hydrogel beads were used as controls, and through the results for total polyphenol and proanthocyanidin contents, concentrations of individual polyphenols, and antioxidant activities, it can be observed that pullulan and/or disaccharides had an impact on the encapsulation of these bioactives. Alginate/pullulan hydrogel beads had the highest contents of total polyphenols and proanthocyanidins (8.60 g/kg and 2.37 g/kg, respectively), whereas alginate/trehalose hydrogel beads had the lowest (5.50 g/kg and 1.16 g/kg, respectively). All hydrogel beads, except alginate/pullulan/sucrose, had higher anthocyanin (cyanidin-3-galactoside and cyanidin-3-arabinoside) contents than alginate beads (404.37 mg/kg and 89.97 mg/kg, respectively), but the most efficient combination for encapsulation of chokeberry anthocyanins was alginate/pullulan (477.32 mg/kg and 109.60 mg/kg, respectively). The highest concentration of neochlorogenic acid was determined in controls (260.14 mg/kg), while the highest concentration of chlorogenic acid in alginate/pullulan/sucrose beads (229.51 mg/kg). Quercetin-3-glucoside was evaluated as having the highest concentration in alginate/pullulan hydrogel beads (35.45 mg/kg). The data obtained through this study highlight the importance of the composition of an encapsulation mixture in order to achieve high encapsulation of chokeberry juice polyphenols. High encapsulation efficiency was obtained for anthocyanins, especially when pullulan was used in combination with alginate.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Ana Thea Filipović. 2025. Crkva i teologija u svijetu koji se mijenja. Prilog sinodalnoj preobrazbi i poslanju Crkve u 21. stoljeću. Zagreb: Katolički bogoslovni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu i Kršćanska sadašnjost, 270 str.

  University of Zagreb University Computing Centre (SRCE) · 2025-01-01

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding
  Publisher

• Vranješ, Nikola. 2025. Onkraj izazova. Pastoral u znanstveno-tehnološkom ozračju. Zagreb: Katolički bogoslovni fakultet Sveučilišta u Zagrebu i Kršćanska sadašnjost, 191 str.

  Hrčak Portal of scientific journals of Croatia (University Computing Centre) · 2025-01-01

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  skraenica, uvoda

  PublisherOA PDF

• Sportswashing and football on the example of Saudi Arabia

  University of Zadar Institutional Repository · 2025-06-10

  dissertation1st authorCorresponding

  Sportswashing je praksa u kojoj države koriste sportske događaje, klubove i investicije u sport kako bi poboljšale svoj međunarodni imidž i skrenule pažnju s problema poput kršenja ljudskih prava i nedemokratskih režima. Saudijska Arabija predstavlja jedan od najočitijih primjera sportswashinga u suvremenom nogometu. Ova zemlja ulaže velike svote novca u nogomet kroz preuzimanje klubova (npr. Newcastle United), organizaciju velikih natjecanja (Superkup Italije i Španjolske, Svjetsko klupsko prvenstvo) i privlačenje slavnih igrača u svoju domaću ligu. Cilj ovih ulaganja je poboljšati globalnu reputaciju zemlje, privući investicije i promijeniti percepciju javnosti o režimu u Saudijskoj Arabiji. Iako ova strategija donosi ekonomske i sportske koristi, mnogi kritičari upozoravaju na moralne i etičke dileme, ističući kako se sport koristi za prikrivanje ozbiljnih društvenih i političkih problema. Rasprava o sportswashingu postaje sve intenzivnija, a Saudijska Arabija ostaje u središtu globalnih polemika o ulozi sporta u političkom imidžu država. Naime, pojavljuju se razne kritike i kontroverze oko saudijskog nogometa, poput kršenja ljudskih prava (Saudijska Arabija je optuživana za ograničavanje slobode govora, represiju protiv aktivista, tretman žena i ulogu u ubojstvu novinara Džamala Kašogija 2018. godine), cenzura i manipulacija (kritičari tvrde da se kroz sport pokušava zamaskirati represivni režim i poboljšati imidž zemlje na globalnoj sceni) te korištenja bogatstva za politički utjecaj (Saudijska Arabija ulaže mnogo novca u sport kako bi stekla geopolitički utjecaj i privukla strane investitore). Dok neki smatraju da sportska ulaganja mogu doprinijeti modernizaciji Saudijske Arabije, drugi ih vide kao pokušaj da se sakriju ozbiljni problemi unutar zemlje. Stoga sportswashing ostaje kontroverzna tema, posebno u kontekstu ljudskih prava i etike u sportu.

• Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidant Activity, and Antiproliferative Potential on Glioblastoma Cells of Selected Stone Fruit Juices

  Processes · 2024-06-24 · 4 citations

  articleOpen access

  Glioblastoma presents one of the most formidable challenges in cancer treatment, remaining persistently incurable. There is a pressing need to explore less toxic alternatives, particularly natural remedies that could be applied in glioblastoma therapy. The aim of this research is to investigate the antiproliferative potential of selected stone fruit juices—tart cherry (Prunus cerasus), cornelian cherry (Cornus mas), and blackthorn (Prunus spinosa)—on U87-MG and GBM43 glioblastoma cells. Their effects were compared with temozolomide (TMZ), the current standard treatment. Additionally, the juices were assessed for their bioactive compounds and antioxidant potential. Unlike the other two juices, blackthorn juice did not exhibit an antiproliferative effect on U87-MG cells. However, all three juices, including blackthorn, demonstrated antiproliferative potential against TMZ-resistant GBM43 cells. Cornelian cherry exhibited an even stronger inhibitory effect than TMZ. This observation correlated with cornelian cherry being rich in iridoids, while tart cherry juice contained significant amounts of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins. This research sheds light on the potential of cornelian cherry juice as a source of bioactive compounds with antiproliferative effects against glioblastoma cells, particularly TMZ-resistant GBM43 cells. Further research is warranted to explore the potential development of these compounds into therapeutic agents, either as single entities or in combination therapies for glioblastoma treatment.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Anti-Glioblastoma Potential and Phenolic Profile of Berry Juices

  Processes · 2024-01-23 · 7 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Glioblastoma is one of the most aggressive and lethal brain tumors. Due to the failure of conventional chemotherapies and targeted drugs pursuit of natural, less toxic agents is on the rise as well as their utilization in glioblastoma treatment. Consequently, this study explores the antiproliferative potential of selected berry juices (wild blackberry (Rubus discolor), dwarf elderberry (Sambucus ebulus), and raspberry (Rubus idaeus)) on glioblastoma cells (U87-MG and GBM43) in comparison to temozolomide. The juices were assessed for total phenolic content, proanthocyanins, polyphenol profiles, and antioxidant activity. Wild blackberry and dwarf elderberry juices exhibited higher total polyphenols, proanthocyanins, and monomeric anthocyanins compared to raspberry juice. HPLC analysis revealed distinctive anthocyanins, flavonoids, and phenolic acids in each juice. With the DPPH assay, the highest antioxidant potential had wild blackberry juice, while with other assays dwarf elderberry juice had the highest potential. Antiproliferative effects were dose-dependent, with wild blackberry juice demonstrating the highest potency, surpassing temozolomide in inhibiting GBM43 cell proliferation. In U87 cells, all juices exhibited antiproliferative effects, with wild blackberry showing the strongest impact. This study highlights the potential of wild blackberry juice as a potent natural agent against glioblastoma, suggesting its superiority over the conventional treatment.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Food industry by-products : knjiga sažetaka : 3. međunarodni znanstveno-stručni skup FOOD INDUSTRY BY-PRODUCTS

  Repository of the Faculty of Food Technology Osijek · 2024-05-24

  other

  The collection includes summaries of invited lectures and poster presentations held at the International Scientific-Professional Conference FOOD INDUSTRY BY-PRODUCTS, related to the issue of disposal and potential use of various by-products of the food industry. The holding of the Meeting and the publication of the Book of Abstracts were co-financed by the Croatian Science Foundation with the project "Application of innovative techniques for the extraction of bioactive components from by-products of plant origin".

• Development of geothermal power plant technologies

  Repository of FERIT Osijek · 2024-09-20

  dissertation1st authorCorresponding

  Diplomski rad istražuje trenutni razvoj tehnologija geotermalnih elektrana, s posebnim naglaskom na važnost implementacije obnovljivih izvora energije poput geotermalne energije, zbog njezine neiscrpivosti. Rad se sastoji od tri glavna dijela: teorijskog, istraživačkog i proračunskog. U teorijskom dijelu opisana je geotermalna energija i geotermalne elektrane, uključujući različite tipove elektrana poput onih na suhu paru, sa separiranjem pare i s binarnim ciklusom. Analizirani su uvjeti potrebni za uspješnu izgradnju geotermalnih elektrana, rizici ulaganja te utjecaj na okoliš. Također je prikazano trenutno stanje instaliranih kapaciteta geotermalnih elektrana u svijetu i Hrvatskoj, uz razmatranje njihovih prednosti, nedostataka i troškova. Istraživački dio rada usredotočen je na suvremeno stanje tehnologija geotermalnih elektrana. Iskazane su razine tehnološke spremnosti (TRL) ključnih dijelova geotermalnih elektrana te su navedeni najvažniji proizvođači suvremene geotermalne opreme. Proučeni su vodeći proizvođači geotermalne opreme i njihove specifikacije, poseban naglasak je na odabiru materijala za optimalan rad geotermalne opreme u teškim radnim uvjetima. Proračunski dio diplomskog rada uključuje tehno-ekonomski i termodinamički proračun stupnja djelovanja prve Hrvatske geotermalne elektrane Velika 1 koja se nalazi u Cigleni, uz detaljan opis njezine tehničke konfiguracije i performansi.

• A Comprehensive Review on Polyphenols of White Wine: Impact on Wine Quality and Potential Health Benefits

  Molecules · 2024-10-26 · 19 citations

  reviewOpen access

  Polyphenols are associated with various beneficial health effects. These compounds are present in edible plants such as fruits and vegetables, and the human body absorbs them through the consumption of foods and beverages. Wine is recognized as a rich source of these valuable compounds, and it has been well established that polyphenols present in red wine possess numerous biologically active functions related to health promotion. Therefore, most scientific research has been focused on red wine polyphenols, whereas white wine polyphenols have been neglected. This review presents the summarized information about the most abundant polyphenols in white wines, their concentration, their impact on wine quality and their potential health effects, such as neuroprotective and cardioprotective activities, antioxidant potential, antimicrobial activity and their positive effects on lipids. These findings are an effort to help compensate for the relative lack of relevant data in the scientific literature regarding white wine polyphenols.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Mirela Kopjar

  University of Osijek

  38 shared

• Anita Pichler

  University of Osijek

  37 shared

• Ivana Buljeta

  University of Osijek

  22 shared

• K.P. Sandeep

  Harcourt Butler Technical University

  21 shared

• Pablo M. Coronel

  North Carolina State University

  21 shared

• Ina Ćorković

  University of Osijek

  16 shared

• Ivana Ivić

  University of Osijek

  13 shared

• K. R. Swartzel

  10 shared

Labs

• Wolfpack Brewing LabPI

Education

• Ph.D., Food Science and Technology

  University of California, Davis

  2009

• M.S., Food Science and Technology

  University of California, Davis

  2005

• B.S., Food Technology

  University of Zagreb

  2003

Awards & honors

• Fulbright Scholar (1983)
• Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society (1983)
• Gamma Sigma Delta The Honor Society of Agriculture (1983)
• Kenneth R. Keller Award for Excellence in Research at North…
• Phi Tau Sigma The Honor Society for Food Science (2007, 2009…