World Class Researchers – Technological Innovation

Megazyme has a team of world class researchers whose area of expertise cover enzymes, carbohydrates, dietary fibre assay procedures and molecular biology techniques.  Our innovative research team is spearheaded by the co-founder, Dr. B. McCleary, a recipient of the 2002 Harvey W. Wiley Award, AOAC’s top scientific honour, for ‘career achievements in analytical chemistry’.

The service of these experts is available on a consultancy basis and applicable fees will be determined on a case by case basis.

Profile of Dr. Barry McCleary, PhD, DScAgr.

• Expertise
• Education
• Memberships in Professional Societies
• Honours Received for Professional Work

Expertise

Extensive  experience in:

1. purification and characterisation of enzymes.
2. the use of enzymes in the measurement and modification of plant polysaccharides.
3. development of specific substrates and procedures for the measurement of enzymes.
4. solving enzyme-related food problems.

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Education

1. 1972-1975 - PhD on the metabolism of galactomannan in germinating seeds. 
2. 1975-1978 - Worked as a Research Scientist at the New South Wales Department of Agriculture (Australia) and was involved in several projects including identification and characterisation of a toxic component in animal feed which caused serious stock losses in the north-west of NSW.  This toxin was identified as a Thiaminase I enzyme. Incidentally, this toxin was linked by Dr. McCleary and Dr. Earl to the deaths of early Australian explorers, and this work was published in Nature (1994), and has appeared in various forms in National Geographic magazines.
3. 1978-1979 - Worked at the Howard Hughes Medical Foundation, University of Miami on starch degrading enzymes.
4. 1979  (3 months)- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (research on the enzymic modification of galactomannans).
5. 1979-1982- NSW Department of Agriculture. Research on the enzymic modification, fine structural details and gelling interaction of important industrial polysaccharides
6. 1982-1983 – Research  post at Unilever Research Laboratories, Bedford, UK.  Researched  the interconversion of polysaccharides through enzymic processes.
7. 1983-1986- NSW Department of Agriculture. Research on cereal polysaccharides, particularly those which caused problems in the processing and/or utilisation of cereals. Development a method for measurement of b-glucan (now the AACC Method 32-23 and AOAC Method 995.16). Developed a new procedure for the measurement of Starch Damage in cereal flours (now AACC Method 76-31 and ICC Method No. 164).
8. 1986-1987- Visiting scientist with Biocon Biochemicals in Cork, Ireland.  During this period he was Research Director for the company’s world-wide operations.  Also during this period of time he developed analytical methods for the measurement of key enzymes involved in the degradation of starch, namely alpha-amylase, beta-amylase and amyloglucosidase.  The former two methods find widespread use in a range of industries.
9. 1992-1993- Dr. McCleary developed a new procedure for the measurement of total starch in cereal flours and products (now AOAC Method 996.11,  AACC Method 76-13 and ICC Method No. 168).
10. 1988-present-  Founded Megazyme International with Angela Kennedy.  The aim of this company is to develop a range of test kits and reagents for the cereals, foods, feed and fermentation industries. The company is heavily involved in research and manufactures in-house.  Over 90% of the products supplied by Megazyme are developed by Megazyme.

Since the formation of Megazyme, Dr. McCleary has been involved in the development of a wide range of test procedures.  These are detailed in the Megazyme web site (www.megazyme.com). Some of these developments are as follows:

1. Tablet tests for a range of enzyme activities including b-xylanase, b-glucanase, a-amylase, endo-arabinanase, cellulase, protease and others. The tests for xylanase, b-glucanase, endo-arabinanase and limit-dextrinase are widely used, and are industry standards in many countries. The tablet procedure for a-amylase (Amylazyme Tablets) is the basis of AACC Method 22-05.
2. Enzymes for AOAC and AACC Total Dietary Fibre analysis
3. Fructan Test Procedure.  Dr. McCleary developed the fructan method which is AOAC Method 999.03 and AACC Method 32-32.
4. Amylose/Amylopectin Test Procedure.
5. Methods for other polysaccharides and oligosaccharides.  Dr. McCleary has developed procedures for the measurement of several other polysaccharides including arabinan and galactomannan, glucomannan and 1,3:1,6 b-glucan (in yeast and mushroom), and the galactosyl-sucrose oligosaccharides.
6. Pure polysaccharides.  Megazyme is the sole world manufacturer and supplier of a wide range of polysaccharides and oligosaccharides.  These include b-glucan and arabinoxylan. Megazyme is the sole world manufacturer and supplier of pure arabinoxylan, arabinan, linear arabinan, galactans and b-limit dextrin from starch (as used in ASBC Method for the measurement of a-amylase.
7. Pure Enzymes.  Megazyme supplies a wide range of pure enzymes for research in the cereals and related industries.

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Memberships in Professional Societies

• American Association of Cereal Chemists
• Association of Official Analytical Chemists International
• Institute of Brewing (United Kingdom)
• American Society of Brewing Chemists.

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Honours Received  for Professional Work

1978  Fulbright Scholarship

1982  Nuffield Foundation Scholarship

1994  F.B. Guthrie Medal by the Cereal Chemistry Division of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute “in recognition of meritorious service to cereal chemistry in Australia in the broadest sense”.  This medal is awarded once every three years.

In 1993 and 1994, Megazyme won several prestigious Australian Business Awards, including,  NSW Small Business of the Year, Australian Small Business of the Year (with up to 100 employees) and NSW New Exporter of the Year.

2002  Harvey W. Wiley Medal (AOAC International).

2003  ISI Highly Cited Scientist (http://isihighlycited.com). Dr McCleary is listed as one of the world’s most highly cited researchers.