Sarah Kearney

Project title: Characterisation of Non-Volatile Dietary Biomarkers in Forage, Feed, and Meat.

Overview: Sarah Kearney is a native of Dublin and holds a BSc degree in Food Science from University College Dublin. She joined Teagasc Ashtown in 2023 as a Walsh Scholar to pursue research on the identification of non-volatile dietary biomarkers in grass-fed beef and lamb. Sarah’s work aims to identify small molecules in grass-fed meat which when traced from feed to meat could serve as reliable chemical fingerprints that reflect the animal’s diet. To achieve this Sarah employs liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry technologies in addition to spectrophotometry for the detection, characterisation and quantification of these biomarkers.

The identification of non-volatile dietary biomarkers in grass-fed meat will help to establish the authenticity and origin of grass-fed meat and potentially established a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) of the Irish origin meats. This will ensure that Irish producers receive a premium value for Irish grass-fed meat and therefore protect traditional rural farming practices, regional food heritage and artisanal meat producers.

By linking an animal’s diet to its meat composition, Sarah’s research contributes to sustainability, food traceability, and consumer trust. Understanding how forage-based diets impact meat quality also provides insights for farmers, processors, and policymakers.

Programme Area: Food Biosciences

Supervisors: Dr. Dilip Rai and Assoc. Prof. Nigel Brunton

Location: Teagasc Ashtown

Funding Source: DAFM