Dr Richard Muhlack

Senior Lecturer

School of Agriculture, Food and Wine

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Dr Richard Muhlack has a PhD in Chemical Engineering and two decades of wine sector experience in various industry and research roles across process analysis and simulation, cleaner production and energy efficiency, renewable energy technology, waste treatment and environmental management.

In January 2014 Dr Muhlack transitioned from industry-based R&D (with the Hardy Wine Company across 1999-2008 and then AWRI from 2008-2014) to the University of Adelaide and now holds an academic position within the School of Agriculture Food and Wine, where he is working to pursue research and technical development projects in the following areas:

* Mathematical modelling of fermentation, extraction, adsorption processes during food and wine production
* Industrial Process Simulation and Optimisation
* NOLO (No and Low alcohol) beverage production
* Process efficiency and techno-economics
* Design of food and beverage process equipment
* Instrumentation and process automation
* Energy and Water Efficiency
* Wastewater Treatment and Cleaner Production

Career
Publications
Supervision
Professional Activities
Contact

Appointments

Date	Position	Institution name
2019 - ongoing	Senior Lecturer - Fermentation / Process Engineering	University of Adelaide
2014 - 2018	Lecturer - Fermentation / Process Engineering	University of Adelaide
2010 - 2014	Riverina Node Manager	The Australian Wine Research Institute
2008 - 2010	Process and Environmental Engineer	The Australian Wine Research Institute
2005 - 2008	Process Improvement Engineer	Hardy Wine Company
1999 - 2002	Production Systems Engineer	BRL Hardy
1998 - 1999	Process Engineer	Adelaide Brighton Cement
1998 - 1998	Vintage Vineyard Quality Assessor	BRL Hardy

Awards and Achievements

Date	Type	Title	Institution Name	Country	Amount
2017	Teaching Award	Executive Dean of Sciences Awards for Excellence in Teaching	The University of Adelaide	Australia	1000
2008	Award	DAFF Australian Agricultural Industries Young Innovators and Scientists Award Winner	-	Australia	-
2004	Fellowship	Roger Pysden Memorial Fellowship	-	Australia	-

Education

Date Institution name Country Title
2002 - 2005 The University of Adelaide Australia PhD (Chemical Engineering)
1996 - 1999 The University of Adelaide Australia BE (Chem) Hons

Date	Institution name	Country	Title
2002 - 2005	The University of Adelaide	Australia	PhD (Chemical Engineering)
1996 - 1999	The University of Adelaide	Australia	BE (Chem) Hons

Journals

Year	Citation
2024	Tindal, R. A., Jeffery, D. W., & Muhlack, R. A. (2024). Nonlinearity and anthocyanin colour expression: A mathematical analysis of anthocyanin association kinetics and equilibria. Food Research International, 183, 114195. DOI
2023	Unterkofler, J., Jeffery, D. W., Setford, P. C., Macintyre, J., & Muhlack, R. A. (2023). Modelling of Catechin Extraction from Red Grape Solids under Conditions That Simulate Red Wine Fermentation. Fermentation, 9(4), 394. DOI
2023	Pike, B., Muhlack, R., Cavagnaro, T., & Collins, C. (2023). Removal of pruned vine biomass (PVB) from vineyards – examining the impact of not incorporating PVB into vineyard soils. Oeno One, 57(3), 177-187. DOI
2022	Sui, Y., Wollan, D., McRae, J., Muhlack, R., Tuke, J., & Wilkinson, K. (2022). Impact of commercial scale ultrafiltration on the composition of white and rosé wine. Separation and Purification Technology, 284, 8 pages. DOI Scopus3 WoS2
2022	Setford, P. C., Jeffery, D. W., Grbin, P. R., & Muhlack, R. A. (2022). A new approach to predicting the extraction of malvidin-3-glucoside during red wine fermentation at industrial-scale. Food and Bioproducts Processing, 131, 217-223. DOI Scopus3 WoS2
2022	Sui, Y., Wollan, D., McRae, J. M., Capone, D. L., Godden, P., & Wilkinson, K. (2022). Chemical and Sensory Profiles of Sauvignon Blanc Wine Following Protein Stabilization Using a Combined Ultrafiltration/Heat/Protease Treatment. Frontiers in Nutrition, 9, 1-15. DOI Scopus2 WoS2 Europe PMC2
2022	Sui, Y., McRae, J., Muhlack, R., Wollan, D., & Wilkinson, K. (2022). Ultrafiltration: a novel approach to managing phenolics in white wine. Wine and Viticulture Journal, 37(2), 11-14.
2021	Sui, Y., McRae, J. M., Wollan, D., Muhlack, R. A., Godden, P., & Wilkinson, K. L. (2021). Use of ultrafiltration and proteolytic enzymes as alternative approaches for protein stabilisation of white wine. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, 27(2), 234-245. DOI Scopus11 WoS10
2021	Tindal, R. A., Jeffery, D. W., & Muhlack, R. A. (2021). Mathematical modelling to enhance winemaking efficiency: a review of red wine colour and polyphenol extraction and evolution. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, 27(2), 219-233. DOI Scopus10 WoS6
2021	Zhang, X. -K., Jeffery, D. W., Muhlack, R. A., & Duan, C. -Q. (2021). The effects of copigments, sulfur dioxide and enzyme on the mass transfer process of malvidin-3-glucoside using a modelling approach in simulated red wine maceration scenarios. Food and Bioproducts Processing, 130, 34-47. DOI Scopus4 WoS3
2020	Unterkofler, J., Muhlack, R. A., & Jeffery, D. W. (2020). Processes and purposes of extraction of grape components during winemaking: current state and perspectives. Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 104(11), 4737-4755. DOI Scopus32 WoS27 Europe PMC7
2020	Kang, W., Bindon, K. A., Wang, X., Muhlack, R. A., Smith, P. A., Niimi, J., & Bastian, S. (2020). Chemical and Sensory Impacts of Accentuated Cut Edges (ACE) Grape Must Polyphenol Extraction Technique on Shiraz Wines. Foods, 9(8), 1027. DOI Scopus9 WoS7 Europe PMC4
2019	Keiller, B., van Eyk, P. J., Lane, D., Muhlack, R., & Burton, R. (2019). Hydrothermal carbonisation of Australian saltbush. Energy and Fuels, 33(2), 1157-1166. DOI Scopus9 WoS8
2019	Setford, P. C., Jeffery, D. W., Grbin, P. R., & Muhlack, R. A. (2019). Mass transfer of anthocyanins during extraction from pre-fermentative grape solids under simulated fermentation conditions: effect of convective conditions. Molecules, 24(1), 73-1-73-16. DOI Scopus12 WoS9 Europe PMC1
2019	Setford, P. C., Jeffery, D. W., Grbin, P. R., & Muhlack, R. A. (2019). Mathematical modelling of anthocyanin mass transfer to predict extraction in simulated red wine fermentation scenarios. Food Research International, 121, 705-713. DOI Scopus30 WoS25 Europe PMC7
2019	Kang, W., Niimi, J., Muhlack, R. A., Smith, P. A., & Bastian, S. E. P. (2019). Dynamic characterization of wine astringency profiles using modified progressive profiling. Food Research International, 120, 244-254. DOI Scopus18 WoS10
2019	Danner, L., Niimi, J., Wang, Y., Kustos, M., Muhlack, R. A., & Bastian, S. E. P. (2019). Dynamic viscosity levels of dry red and white wines and determination of perceived viscosity difference thresholds. American Journal of Enology and Viticulture, 70(2), 205-211. DOI Scopus9 WoS8
2019	Marshall, J., Muhlack, R. A., Morton, B., Dunnigan, L., Chittleborough, D., & Kwong, C. (2019). Pyrolysis Temperature Effects on Biochar–Water Interactions and Application for Improved Water Holding Capacity in Vineyard Soils. Soil Systems, 3(2), 27 pages. DOI Scopus37 WoS27
2019	Keiller, B. G., Muhlack, R., Burton, R. A., & Van Eyk, P. J. (2019). Biochemical compositional analysis and kinetic modeling of hydrothermal carbonization of Australian saltbush. Energy and Fuels, 33(12), 12469-12479. DOI Scopus24 WoS16
2019	Kang, W., Muhlack, R. A., Bindon, K. A., Smith, P. A., Niimi, J., & Bastian, S. E. P. (2019). Potato Protein Fining of Phenolic Compounds in Red Wine: A Study of the Kinetics and the Impact of Wine Matrix Components and Physical Factors.. Molecules, 24(24), 13 pages. DOI Scopus6 WoS4 Europe PMC3
2018	Muhlack, R., Potumarthi, R., & Jeffery, D. (2018). Sustainable wineries through waste valorisation: A review of grape marc utilisation for value-added products. Waste Management, 72, 99-118. DOI Scopus182 WoS148 Europe PMC47
2018	Muhlack, R., & Colby, C. (2018). Reduced product loss associated with inline bentonite treatment of white wine by simultaneous centrifugation with yeast lees. Food and Bioproducts Processing, 108, 51-57. DOI Scopus4 WoS3
2018	Setford, P., Jeffery, D., Grbin, P., & Muhlack, R. (2018). Modelling the mass transfer process of malvidin-3-glucoside during simulated extraction from fresh grape solids under wine-like conditions. Molecules, 23(9), 2159-1-2159-16. DOI Scopus16 WoS11 Europe PMC2
2017	Marshall, J. A., Morton, B. J., Muhlack, R., Chittleborough, D., & Kwong, C. W. (2017). Recovery of phosphate from calcium-containing aqueous solution resulting from biochar- induced calcium phosphate precipitation.. Journal of Cleaner Production, 165, 27-35. DOI Scopus64 WoS58
2017	Setford, P., Jeffery, D., Grbin, P., & Muhlack, R. (2017). Factors affecting extraction and evolution of phenolic compounds during red wine maceration and the role of process modelling. Trends in Food Science and Technology, 69, 106-117. DOI Scopus93 WoS72 Europe PMC4
2016	Muhlack, R., O Neill, B., Waters, E., & Colby, C. (2016). Optimal Conditions for Controlling Haze-Forming Wine Protein with Bentonite Treatment: Investigation of Matrix Effects and Interactions Using a Factorial Design. Food and Bioprocess Technology, 9(6), 936-943. DOI Scopus9 WoS10
2012	Marangon, M., Van Sluyter, S., Robinson, E., Muhlack, R., Holt, H., Haynes, P., . . . Waters, E. (2012). Degradation of white wine haze proteins by Aspergillopepsin I and II during juice flash pasteurization. Food Chemistry, 135(3), 1157-1165. DOI Scopus88 WoS75 Europe PMC17
2007	Muhlack, R., Waters, E., Lim, A., O'Neill, B., & Colby, C. (2007). An alternative method for purification of a major thaumatin-like grape protein (VVTL1) responsible for haze formation in white wine. Asia-Pacific Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2(1), 70-74. DOI Scopus7
2006	Muhlack, R., Nordestgaard, S., Waters, E., O'Neill, B., Lim, A., & Colby, C. (2006). In-line dosing for bentonite fining of wine or juice: Contact time, clarification, product recovery and sensory effects. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, 12(3), 221-234. DOI Scopus24
2005	Waters, E., Alexander, G., Muhlack, R., Pocock, K., Colby, C., O'Neill, B., . . . Jones, P. (2005). Preventing protein haze in bottled white wine. Australian Journal of Grape and Wine Research, 11(2), 215-225. DOI Scopus174 WoS148

Book Chapters

Year	Citation
2012	Stockley, C., Varela, C., Coulter, A., Dry, P., Francis, I., Muhlack, R., & Pretorius, I. (2012). Controlling the highs and the lows of alcohol in wine. In A. Peeters (Ed.), Wine: Types, Production and Health (pp. 281-299). USA: Nova Science Publishers. Scopus1

Conference Papers

Year	Citation
2023	Smart, R., Battaglene, T., & Muhlack, R. (2023). Mitigation and adaptation strategies for a carbon neutral grape and wine sector. In P. Roca (Ed.), BIO Web of Conferences Vol. 56 (pp. 01021). EDP Sciences. DOI
2011	O'Neill, B., Van Heeswijck, T., & Muhlack, R. (2011). Models for predicting wine fermentation kinetics. In Proceedings of CHEMECA 2011 (pp. 1-14). online: Engineers Australia.
2009	van Eyk, P., Muhlack, R., & Ashman, P. (2009). Gasification of grape marc in a circulating fluidised bed. In Proceedings of the Australian Combustion Symposium 2009 (pp. 175-178). CD: University of Queensland.
2004	Muhlack, R., Waters, E., O'Neill, B., Lim, A., & Colby, C. (2004). New insights into the adsorption of haze-forming proteins by bentonite during winemaking. In A. Adesina (Ed.), Sustainable Processes: Proceedings of the 32nd Australasian Chemical Engineering Conference 2004 (pp. CD-ROM 1-CD-ROM 6). CD-ROM: KBR.

Report for External Bodies

Year Citation
2015 Kwong, C. W., & Muhlack, R. A. (2015). Improving vineyard water efficiency by addition of biochar derived from grape stalks and vineyard prunings (UA1404).

Year	Citation
2015	Kwong, C. W., & Muhlack, R. A. (2015). Improving vineyard water efficiency by addition of biochar derived from grape stalks and vineyard prunings (UA1404).

Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

Date	Role	Research Topic	Program	Degree Type	Student Load	Student Name
2023	Co-Supervisor	Remediation of taint arising from vineyard exposure to bushfire smoke	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Full Time	Mr Song Yan
2021	Co-Supervisor	Mitigating Taint in Wine Due to Vineyard Exposure to Bushfire Smoke	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Full Time	Mr Yiming Huo
2021	Principal Supervisor	Mathematical modelling of red wine colour and polyphenols extraction and evolution to enhance winemaking efficiency	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Part Time	Ms Rachael Anne Tindal
2020	Co-Supervisor	ICHDR16 Membrane and Ultrafiltration Technology Optimisation for Efficient Wine Processing and Recovery of Valuable Extracts	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Full Time	Miss Stephanie Angela
2019	Co-Supervisor	Understanding the Relative Sustainability of Harvesting Pruned Vineyard Biomass and the Effect on Carbon Sequestration and Disease Management	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Part Time	Mr Benjamin Pike
2018	Principal Supervisor	Efficient Red Winemaking by Monitoring Extraction and Evolution of Colour and Polyphenols	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Part Time	Ms Judith Unterkofler

Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

Date	Role	Research Topic	Program	Degree Type	Student Load	Student Name
2018 - 2022	Co-Supervisor	Use of Membrane Ultrafiltration for Wine Stabilisation and Clarification	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Full Time	Miss Yihe Sui
2016 - 2020	Co-Supervisor	Alternative Technologies to Modify and Measure Red Wine Astringency and Quality	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Full Time	Mr Wenyu Kang
2015 - 2019	Co-Supervisor	Developing process simulation models for red wine fermentation: Anthocyanin mass transfer and extraction	Doctor of Philosophy	Doctorate	Part Time	Mr Patrick Charles Setford

Memberships

Date	Role	Membership	Country
2016 - ongoing	Member	American Society of Enology and Viticulture	United States
2015 - ongoing	Member	Winery Engineers Association	Australia
2014 - ongoing	Member	Australian Society of Viticulture and Oenology	Australia

Position: Senior Lecturer
Phone: 83136771
Email: richard.muhlack@adelaide.edu.au
Campus: Waite
Building: Wine Science Laboratory, floor 1
Org Unit: Agricultural Science

Dr Richard Muhlack

Appointments

Awards and Achievements

Education

Journals

Book Chapters

Conference Papers

Report for External Bodies

Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

Memberships

Connect With Me

External Profiles

Other Links