William Otoo Ellis

Food Science and Technology

About

Professor Ellis is an accomplished researcher and academic of international repute, with his research interest spanning Applied Microbiology and Quality Assurance; Food Product Development and Packaging and Food Toxicology and Epidemiology. He has more than 27 years of experience working in academia and relating to organizations and civil society. Of these, more than 10 years have been at the higher echelons of higher education management, serving as Pro Vice-Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor respectively, showing leadership in nurturing the next generation. He has taught and continue to teach, supervise and mentor students at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. In the area of research, he has supervised several undergraduate student projects; about 60 Masters theses and 13 PhD dissertations. Prof. Ellis is research active and has several scholarly publications to his credit. He currently has more than 160 publications including peer reviewed journal articles; refereed conference publications; technical reports; book chapters and manuals. He has mounted several exhibitions with Research colleagues on new food products at national fairs and, attended many national and international conferences and workshops making presentations. He has worked on several national and internationally funded projects with grants from several institutions including USAID, IDRC, NIH, UNESCO, IFAD, DfID, World Bank, African Academy of Sciences and Mastercard foundation. During his tenure as Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, he brought significant positive changes to the business of the University. These included efficiency in decentralization of the University governance structure; integrating quality assurance into all operations of the University; efficiency in student engagements; automation in the operations of the University; establishment of four satellite campuses; initiating the community impact program (CIP); improving national and international visibility and networking: https://webapps.knust.edu.gh/woellis/Report-on-the-Stewardship-of-WOE-KNUST-VC-2010-16.pdf As an individual, he is hardworking, results oriented, humble and principled, a Minister with the Church of Pentecost and pleasant to work with.

Research Summary

(inferred from publications by AI)

The researcher's work focuses on the broader theme of **mycotoxins in agriculture and food**, particularly exploring their role in food safety, environmental impact, and public health. Their publications cover topics such as aflatoxin B1-lysine adduct levels in pregnant women, nutritional potential of moringa oleifera (a specific food plant), and the effects of cyanide on cassava and other crops. This research contributes to understanding the risks associated with mycotoxins in agricultural settings and their management in food production.

Research Themes

All Papers

Aflatoxins in food: Occurrence, biosynthesis, effects on organisms, detection, and methods of control(1991)

Socio-demographic determinants of aflatoxin B1-lysine adduct levels among pregnant women in Kumasi, Ghana.(2012)

Nutritional potential of two leafy vegetables: Moringa oleifera and Ipomoea batatas leaves(2008)

The physicochemical properties of flour samples from the roots of 31 varieties of cassava(2005)

Utilizing cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium) for food and nutrition security: A review(2018)

Quality of gari from selected processing zones in Ghana(2000)

Subjective and objective assessment of `agbelima' (cassava dough) quality(1999)

Optimizing agbelima production: varietal and fermentation effect on product quality(2000)

Effect of cassava variety and processing methods on the performance of ‘kudeme’ in agbelima production(1997)

Alcohol yield from various combinations of cassava and sweet potato flours(2021)

Characterisation of starch from selected cassava varieties and their possible use for pasta production(2001)

Rice grain quality: a comparison of local varieties with new varieties under study in Ghana(2003)

Nutritional and biochemical composition of D. alata (Dioscorea spp.) tubers(2009)

Combined Effect of Drying Time and Slice Thickness on the Solar Drying of Okra(1997)

Potential health benefits of water yam (Dioscorea alata)(2013)

Physicochemical and Pasting Characteristics of Water Yam (D. alata) in Comparison with Pona (D. rotundata) from Ghana(2011)

Pasting characteristics of starch from new varieties of sweet potato.(2000)

Whole cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) flour (WCPF) as non-conventional extender in meatloaf(2013)

Recipe standardization of bread using cassava-wheat composite flour(2018)

A survey of bread defects in Ghana(1997)

Expanding breadfruit utilization and its potential for pasta production(2007)

Prediction of the Suitability of Water Yam (Dioscorea alata) for Amala Product Using Pasting and Sensory Characteristics(2013)

Water-Starch Interactions of Red and White Cocoyam (Xanthosoma sagittifolium)(2018)

In vitro properties of potential probiotic lactic acid bacteria originating from Ghanaian indigenous fermented milk products(2021)

Studies on Traditional Cheese (Woagashie) Production in the Ashanti Region(1998)

FORMULATION OF ANNATTO FEED CONCENTRATE FOR LAYERS AND THE EVALUATION OF EGG YOLK COLOR PREFERENCE OF CONSUMERS(2010)

Production of a non-alcoholic beverage from sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.)(2010)

Evaluation of Yield and Physicochemical Quality of Pentadesma butyracea Butter Obtained by Different Traditional Extraction Methods in Ghana(2024)

West African sorghum beer fermented with Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae : fermentation by-products(2019)

Processing methods and microbial assessment of pito (an African indigenous beer), at selected production sites in Ghana(2016)

West African sorghum beer fermented with Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae: shelf-life and consumer acceptance(2019)

Bioplastic films from cassava peels: Enzymatic transformation and film properties(2024)

Development of yoghurt incorporated with beetroot puree and its effect on the physicochemical properties and consumer acceptance(2024)

Effects of some groundnut packaging methods and protection with Ocimum and Syzygium powders on kernel infection by fungi(2002)

FORMULATION OF AN INFANT FOOD BASED ON BREADFRUIT (ARTOCARPUS ALTILIS) AND BREADNUT (ARTOCARPUS CAMANSI)(2007)

Solar drying of okra—effects of selected package materials on storage stability(1996)

Effects of Pretreatment and Drying on the Volatile Compounds of Sliced Solar-Dried Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) Rhizome(2022)

Effect of pretreatment on physicochemical, microbiological, and aflatoxin quality of solar sliced dried ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) rhizome(2020)

Application of spices in foods: consumer preferences, knowledge of health benefits, and quality of dried ginger(2022)

Effect of Solar Drying and Vinegar Pretreatment on the Antioxidant Properties and Bioactive Compounds of Sliced Ginger(2022)

Physico-chemical properties of cashew tree gum(2008)

Locational and maturity effects on cashew tree gum production in Ghana(2007)

PRODUCTION AND USE OF YEAST PECTOLYTIC ENZYMES TO AID PINEAPPLE JUICE EXTRACTION(2001)

Effect of Soaking and Cooking Methods on Extraction of Solids and Acceptability of Tiger Nut (Cyperus Esculentus L) Milk(2014)

Assessment of vitamin A content and sensory attributes of new sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) genotypes in Ghana.(2009)

Quality estimation of cashew gum in the production of chocolate pebbles(2008)

Rheological properties of aqueous cashew tree gum solutions(2007)

Utilization of cashew gum in the production of pineapple jam and cashew apple juice drink.(2010)

Emulsifying ability of exudate gums obtained from three plant species in Ghana(2020)

Using Whole Cowpea Flour (WCPF) in Frankfurter-Type Sausages(2012)

Pentadesma butyracea in Ghana – indigenous knowledge, uses, and seed characterization(2023)

Some Insect Enemies of Shade Trees and Ornamental Shrubs.(1920)

Progress in agronomic, nutritional and engineering development research on the tree crop, Treculia africana.(2016)

Nutritional composition of breadfruits (Artocarpusspp. andTreculia africana) in Ghana(2016)

Exploring essential oils from Piper guineense and Aframomum melegueta as natural biocontrol agents against cocoa fungal isolates towards the safety of cocoa beans(2025)

Effect of soaking, autoclaving and repeated boiling on oligosaccharides in cowpea.(2010)

Physico-mechanical measurements, functional properties, proximate composition of newly developed climate-resilient cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) varieties and their classification with near-infrared spectroscopy(2024)

Correction: Physico-mechanical measurements, functional properties, proximate composition of newly developed climate-resilient cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) varieties and their classification with near-infrared spectroscopy(2025)

Suitability of high lysine maize, Obatanpa for ‘kenkey’ production(1997)

Tomato paste production at the village or small-scale level. Kwa Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. IFCSP interim technical progress report. pp. 64.(1999)

Effects of pre-treatment and drying methods on the pasting characteristics, amylose content and colour of Aerial Yam (Dioscorea bulbifera) flour(2017)

Micromycetes in foodstuffs and feedstuffs(1994)

Institutional lessons from the partnership to improve food safety management and livelihoods of street food vendors and consumers in Ghana(2007)

Effect of irradiation on inoculated Salmonella parathyphi B and the colour of freeze-dried egg yolk.(2010)

2014 National Ministers’ Conference of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana(2015)

21st Oath Swearing Ceremony of The School of Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences(2015)

Preventing mycotoxin contamination in groundnut cultivation USA; David Hoisington, Nick Magnan and James Rhoads, The University of Georgia, USA; Mumuni Abudulai, Savanna Agricultural Research Institute, Ghana; Koushik Adhikari and Jinru Chen, The University of Georgia, USA; of Science and Technology, Ghana; Maria Balota and Kumar Mallikarjunan, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, USA; Kenneth Boote and Greg MacDonald, University of Florida, USA; Kira Bowen, Auburn University, …(2018)

Rapid Assessment of Compositional Stability in Improved Sweet Potato Varieties: Relevance in Breeding and Utilization(2020)

Coevolution of job automation risk and workplace governance(2022)

Assessing the fungal contamination and potential impact of ochratoxigenic Aspergillus species on cocoa beans from cocoa-growing regions of Ghana(2025)

Efficiency of Edible Coating from Locally Sourced Materials in Maintaining the Postharvest Quality of Belfast Tomatoes(2023)

Zearalenone-Contaminated Cereals in African Communities, Probabilistic Exposures and Adverse-Health Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis(2024)

Microbiological Assessment to Identify the Microbiological Hazards in Pre-Packaged Ready-to-Eat Foods Presented to Consumers in Accra(2025)

Collaboration Network

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Research Collaboration Map

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About This Profile

This profile is generated from publicly available publication metadata and is intended for research discovery purposes. Themes, summaries, and trajectories are inferred computationally and may not capture the full scope of the lecturer's work. For authoritative information, please refer to the official KNUST profile.