ɬ﷬

Simpson, Benjamin K.

Academic title(s): 

Professor

Simpson, Benjamin K.
Contact Information
Address: 

Macdonald-Stewart Building MS1-031

Phone: 
514-398-7737
Email address: 
benjamin.simpson [at] mcgill.ca
Degree(s): 

PhD Biochemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada 1984
BSc Biochemistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST), Ghana 1975

Awards, honours, and fellowships: 

Doctor of Science Honoris causa (D.Sc. hc), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Ghana. (2015)
Taishan Scholar, Blue Industry Leadership, Shangdong Province, China. (2013)
Earl P. McFee Award for outstanding contributions to the fields of fisheries science and technology (2000)

Biography: 

Professor Benjamin Simpson is a graduate in Biochemistry from Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he also carried out postdoctoral work till December 1985. He joined the Food Science Department at ɬ﷬ in June 1987 after spending a period of time at the Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences (IFAS), University of Florida at Gainesville in the USA, as a Research Associate from January 1986 to April, 1987. His research program involves the post-mortem biochemistry of marine organisms, in relation to enzymes. Specifically on digestive enzymes from marine animals, their characterization to discover their unique properties that may make them better suited for particular applications compared with their traditional counterparts; role of enzymes in color and texture deterioration in fish and shellfish and development of strategies to control the deleterious effects of enzymes in foods during processing and storage; and the use of enzymes in transforming discards from food harvesting / processing into value added products of commercial relevance. Examples of the value-added products prepared by the enzyme assisted procedures include natural food pigments, proteins, bioactive peptides, flavor compounds and chitin, etc., for use as food processing aids. Dr. Simpson is responsible for teaching Food Commodities, Food Chemistry 2 and Enzymology.

Research areas: 
Food Biotechnologies
Current research: 
  • Enzymes from marine organisms (digestive enzymes, transglutaminase, polyphenoloxidase)
  • Post-mortem biochemistry of fish/shellfish
  • Chitin and chitosan from crustacean waste
  • Biodegradable plastic films from chitosan, gelatin and zein
  • Carotenoid pigments from crustacean waste
  • Biodiesel from fish skins
Areas of interest: 

Research activities have 2 main foci:

  • on the post-mortem biochemistry of marine organisms - more specifically on the role of naturally present enzymes in seafood in postharvest seafood quality alterations;
  • using “green technologies” to enhance the value of seafood harvesting/processing waste material.
Professional activities: 
  • Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)
  • Atlantic Fisheries Technologists (AFT)
  • Pacific Fisheries Technologists (PFT)
Courses: 

FDSC 305. Food Chemistry 2.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Food Science&Agr.Chemistry (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms offered: Fall 2025
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Description

A study of the chemistry and functionality of the minor components comprising food systems, such as enzymes, anthocyanins, carotenoids, additives, vitamins and essential oils. The relationship of these components to food stability in terms of degradative reactions and processing.
  • Fall
  • 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
  • Prerequisite: FDSC 251

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.


FDSC 319. Food Commodities.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Food Science&Agr.Chemistry (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
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Description

The relationship between the chemistry of food constituents present in common commodities, such as milk, meat, eggs, cereals, oilseeds etc. and the common processing technologies associated with their transformation into stable food products.
  • Winter
  • 3 lectures and one 3-hour lab
  • Prerequisite: FDSC 251 or permission of instructor

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

Graduate Course

FDSC 515. Enzymology.

Credits: 3
Offered by: Food Science&Agr.Chemistry (Faculty of Agric Environ Sci)
Terms offered: Winter 2026
View offerings for in Visual Schedule Builder.

Description

Selected advanced topics on the biophysical and kinetic aspects of enzymatic reactions, particularly the fundamentals and applications of laws of biothermodynamics, biochemical equilibrium, electrochemistry and biochemical kinetics as related to the enzymatic reactions.
  • Winter
  • 3 lectures
  • Prerequisites: FDSC 211 or LSCI 211 and FDSC 233 or permission of instructor
  • Course offered in even years. Check with Graduate Program Supervisor.

Most students use Visual Schedule Builder (VSB) to organize their schedules. VSB helps you plan class schedules, travel time, and more.

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