Education

Current Positions

• Research Professor, School of Life Sciences, CUHK
• Director, Food Research Centre

Research Interests

• Structure-function of cell wall polysaccharides
• Bioactive carbohydrates from mushroom and edible fungi
• Chemical properties and biological functions of beta-glucans
• Prebiotics, probiotics and gut microbiome
• Polysaccharides as nano complexing agent for targeted drug delivery

Representative Publications

(Past five years)

1. Su, Y., Chen, L., Yang, F. and Cheung, P.C.K. (2021). β-D-glucan based drug delivery system and its potential application in targeting tumor associated macrophages. Carbohydrate Polymers, 253, 117258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.117258
2. Zhang, Y., You, L., Cheung, P.C.K., Liao, L. and Zhao, Z. (2021). Behavior of non-digestible polysaccharides in gastrointestinal tract: a mechanistic review of its anti-obesity effect. eFood, 2, 59-72. https://doi.org/10.2991/efood.k.210310.001
3. Huang, J.J. and Cheung, P.C.K. (2021). Cold stress treatment enhances production of metabolites and biodiesel feedstock in Porphyridium cruentum via adjustment of cell membrane fluidity. Science of the Total Environment, 780, 146612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146612
4. Gong, Y., Ma, Y., Cheung, P.C.K., You, L., Liao, L., Pedisic, S. and Kulikouskaya, V. (2021). Structural characteristics and anti-inflammatory activity of UV/H2O2-treated algal sulfated polysaccharide from Gracilaria lemaneiformis. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 152, 112157. https://doi.org/1016/j.fct.2021.112157
5. Cheng, W.Y., Lam, K.L., Li, X., Kong, A.P.S and Cheung, P.C.K. (2021). Circadian disruption-induced metabolic syndrome in mice is ameliorated by oat β-glucan mediated by gut microbiota. Carbohydrate Polymers, 267, 118216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2021.118216
6. Tang, H.M. and Cheung, P.C.K. (2021). Gene expression profile analysis of gallic acid-induced cell death process. Scientific Reports, 11, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-96174-1
7. Leung, M.F. and Cheung, P.C.K. (2021). Vitamin D and D2 in cultivated mushrooms under UV-irradiation and its bioavailability in humans: A mini-review. International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms, 23, 1-15. https://doi.org/1615/IntJMedMushrooms.2021040390
8. Hu, Y., Ge, M., Sun, D., Chen, L., Cheung, P.C.K., You, C., Chen, X., Sun, M. and Ng, H. (2022). Stimulating mechanism of corn oil on biomass and polysaccharide production of Pleurotus tuber-regium. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 201, 93-103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.12.149
9. Tang, L.,Sun, Y., Ge, P., Chen, L., Cheung, P.C.K., Ding, Z. and Fang, J. (2022). Biogenetic nanocarriers with enhanced pH stability formed by zein and selectively depolymerized mushroom hyperbranched β-glucans. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 209, Part B 1771-1783. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.04.147
10. Hu, J., Yao, W., Chang, S., You, L., Zhao, M., Cheung, P.C.K. and Hileuskaya, K. (2022). Structural characterization and anti-photoaging activity of a polysaccharide from Sargassum fusiforme. Food Research International, 157, 111267. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111267
11. Li, X., Peng, B., Cheung, P.C.K., Wang, J., Zheng, X. and You, L. (2022). Depolymerized non-digestible sulfated algal polysaccharides produced by hydrothermal treatment with enhanced bacterial fermentation characteristics. Food Hydrocolloids, 130, 107687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2022.107687
12. Huang, W., Chen, Y., Hu, J., Yao, W., You, L. and Cheung, P.C.K. (2022). Algal sulfated polysaccharide-based hydrogels enhance gelling properties and in vitro wound healing compared to conventional hydrogels. Algal Research, 65, 102740. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.algal.2022.102740
13. Su, Y., Yang, F., Chen, L. and Cheung, P.C.K. (2022). Mushroom carboxymethylated β-D-glucan functions as a macrophage-targeting carrier for IONPs and an inducer of proinflammatory macrophage polarization for immunotherapy. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 70, 7110–7121. http://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.2c01710
14. Chan, P.L., Lauw, S., Ma, K.L., Kei, N., Ma, K.L., Wong, Y.O., Lam, H.Y., Ting, Y.Y., Yau, T.K., Nong, W., Huang, D., Xie, Y., Cheung, P.C.K. and Kwan, H.S. (2022). ProBioQuest: a database and semantic analysis engine for literature, clinical trials and patents related to probiotics. Database, 2022, baac059. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/database/baac059
15. Tam, L.K.B., He, L., Ng, D.K.P., Cheung, P.C.K., Lo, P. (2022). A tumor-targeting dual-stimuli-activatable photodynamic molecular beacon for precise photodynamic therapy. Chemistry – A European Journal. doi: 10.1002/chem.202201652
16. Shi, J., Zhang, R., Liu, X., Zhang, Y., Du, Y., Dong, H., Ma, Y., Li, X., Cheung, P.C.K. and Chen, P. (2023). Advances in multifunctional biomass-derived nanocomposite films for active and sustainable food packaging. Carbohydrate Polymers, 301, 120323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2022.120323
17. Su, Y., Yang, F., Wang, M. and Cheung, P.C.K. (2023). Cancer immunotherapeutic effect of carboxymethylated β-D-glucan coupled with iron oxide nanoparticles via reprogramming Tumor-Associated Macrophages. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 228, 692-705. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.12.154
18. Tam, L., Chu, J.C.H., He, L., Yang, C., Han, K.-C., Cheung, P.C.K., Ng, D. and Lo, P.-C. (2023). An enzyme-responsive double-locked photodynamic molecular beacon for targeted photodynamic anticancer therapy. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 145, 7361-7375. https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.2c13732
19. Yang, F. and Cheung, P.C.K. (2023). Fungal β-glucan-based nanotherapeutics: From fabrication to application. Journal of Fungi, 9, 475. https://doi.org/10.3390/jof9040475
20. Yu, B., Wang, M., Teng, B., Veeraperumal, S., Cheung, P.C.K., Zhong, S. and Cheong, K.L. (2023). Partially acid-hydrolyzed porphyran improved dextran sulfate sodium-induced acute colitis by modulation of gut microbiota and enhancing mucosal barrier. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 71, 7299-7311. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.2c08564
21. Tam, L.K.B., Lo, P.C., Cheung, P.C.K. and Ng, D.K.P. (2023). A tetrazine-caged carbon-dipyrromethene as a bioorthogonally activatable fluorescent probe. Chemistry – An Asian Journal, e202300562. https://doi.org/10.1002/asia.202300562
22. Yao, W., Yong, J., Lv, B., Gun, S., You, L., Cheung, P.C.K. and Kulikouskaya, V.I. (2023). Enhanced in vitro anti-photoaging effect of degraded seaweed polysaccharides by UV/H2O2 treatment. Marine Drugs, 21, 430. https://doi.org/10.3390/md21080430
23. Kei, N., Wong, V.W., Lauw, S., You, L. and Cheung, P.C.K. (2023). Utilization of food-derived β-glucans to prevent and treat Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD). Foods, 12, 3279. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12173279
24. Lauw, S., Kei, N., Chan, P.-L., Yau, T.-K., Ma, K.-L., Szeto, C. Y.-Y., Lin, J. S.-C., Wong, S. H., Cheung, P.C.K. and Kwan, H.S. (2023). Effects of synbiotic supplementation on metabolic syndrome traits and gut microbial profile among Hong Kong Chinese: A randomized trial. Nutrients, 15, 4248; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15194248
25. Yang, H., Hu, J., Tan, B.K., Wong, K.-H., Huang, J.J., Cheung, P.C.K. and Lin, S. (2023). Lesson learned from COVID-19 pandemic for the future of food industry. Heliyon, 9, e22479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e22479
26. Ma, K.L., Kei, N., Yang, F., Lauw, S., Chan, P.L., Chen, L. and Cheung, P.C.K. (2023). In vitro fermentation characteristics of fungal polysaccharides derived from Wolfiporia cocos and their effect on fecal microbiota. Foods, 12, 4041. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12214014
27. Li, Y.-Z., S, J.-Y., Wu, H., Wong, K.-H., Cheung, P.C.K., Lv, X.-C., Yang, Q.-Q. and Zhang, B.-B. (2023). Effects of pomelo sponge fermented by Monascus ruber on cholesterol metabolism and intestinal microbiota in high-fat diet mice. Food Bioscience, 56, 103376. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2023.103376
28. Fan, J.-H., Xiang, L.-Q., Huang, W., Hong, J.-Q., Guo, H.-K., Wong, K.-H., Cheung, P.C.K., Yang, Q.-Q. and Zhang, BB. (2023). Exopolysaccharides produced by Antrodia cinnamomea using microparticle-enhanced cultivation: Optimization, primary structure and antibacterial property. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 259, 128872. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.128872
29. Liu, J., Lam, K.L., Zhang, Z., Deng, Y., Cheung, P.C.K. and Chen, G. (2024). Correlation between aeration time in aerobic granular sludge reactors with the production of bioactive polysaccharides and microbial communities. Resource, Conservation and Recycling, 203, 107408. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2024.107408
30. Kei, N., Cheung, K.K., Ma, K.L., Yau, T.K., Lauw, S., Wong, V.W.S., You, L. and Cheung, P.C.K. (2024). Effects of Oat β-glucan and inulin on alleviation of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis aggravated by circadian disruption in C57BL/6J mice. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 72, 7, 3520-3535. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.3c08028
31. Luo, S., Wei, S.-M., Luo, X.-T., Yang, Q.-Q., Wong, K.-H., Cheung, P.C.K. and Zhang, B.B. (2024). How probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics prevent dental caries: an oral microbiota perspective. npj Biofilms and Microbiomes 10(1):14. doi: 10.1038/s41522-024-00488-7
32. Zhu, B., Guo, S., Cheung, P.C.K., Hileuskaya, K. and You, L. (2024). Protection and delivery of probiotics by degraded fucoidan-chitosan nanogel-based W1/O/W2 double emulsion incorporated in self-assembled hydrogel particles. Food Hydrocolloids, 153, 109999. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2024.109999
33. Yang, F., Su, Y., Yan, C., Chen, T. and Cheung, P.C.K. (2024). Attenuation of inflammatory bowel disease by oral administration of mucoadhesive polydopamine-coated yeast β-glucan via ROS scavenging and gut microbiota regulation. Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 22:166. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12951-024-02434-3
34. Chang, S., Chen, Y., Qiu, H., Zhu, B., You, L. and Cheung, P.C.K. (2024). The isolation, structure characterizations and anti-photoaging activities of sulfated polysaccharides isolated from Sargassum fusiforme. Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture, 11:64. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40538-024-00587-9
35. Huang, Y., Shi, J., Luo, X., Luo, S., Cheung, P.C.K., Corke, H., Yang, Q. and Zhang, B. (2024). How do probiotics alleviate constipation? A narrative review of mechanisms. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/07388551.2024.2336531
36. Zhuang, J., Zhu, J., Cheung, P.C.K. and Li, L. (2024). The physical and chemical interactions between starch and dietary fiber: Their impact on the physicochemical and nutritional properties of starch. Trends in Food Science and Technology, 149, 104566. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tifs.2024.104566
37. Huo, J., Zhu, B., Ma, C., You, L., Cheung, P.C.K., Pedisic, S. and Hileuskaya, K. (2024). Effects of chemically reactive species generated in plasma treatment on the physico-chemical properties and biological activities of polysaccharides: An overview. Carbohydrate Polymers, 342, 122361. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2024.122361
38. Kei, N., Lauw, S., Wong, V.W.S. and Cheung, P.C.K. (2024). A mini-review on prebiotic inulin to prevent and treat non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Food Bioscience, 61, 104679. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2024.104679
39. Huang, J., Xu, W., Lin, S. and Cheung, P.C.K. (2024). The bioactivities and biotechnological production approaches of carotenoids derived from microalgae and cyanobacteria. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, https://doi.org/10.1080/07388551.2024.2359966
40. Huang, J.J, Xu, W., Lin, S. and Cheung, P.C.K. (2025). The bioactivities and biotechnological production approaches of carotenoids derived from microalgae and cyanobacteria. Critical Reviews in Biotechnology, 45, 276-304. https://doi.org/1080/07388551.2024.2359966
41. Chen, L., Ge, P., Zeng, T., Zhao, L., Wong, K.-H., Shi, G., Cheung, P.C.K., and Ding, Z. (2025). Sulfation of hyperbranched β-glucan from mushroom Pleurotus tuber-regiumenhances α-glucosidase inhibition and anti-glycation properties. Food Bioscience, 63, 105578 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.
42. Chen, L., Zhao, L., Meng, Q., Li, C., Guo, Y., Wong, K.H., Shi, G., Cheung, P. C.K. and Ding, Z. (2025). Tailored depolymerization of hyperbranched β-glucan from Pleurotus tuber regium for persistent prebiotic development. Food Hydrocolloids, 164, 111156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodhyd.2025.111156
43. Huang, J.J., Xie, Q., Lin, S., Wu, W. and Cheung, P.C.K. (2025). Microalgae-derived astaxanthin: Bioactivities, biotechnological approaches and industrial technologies for its production. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2025.2468863
44. Yu, Y., Zhu, B., Huo, J., You, L. Hileuskaya, K. and Cheung, P.C.K. (2025). Degradation of Sargassum fusiforme polysaccharides by dielectric barrier discharge plasma and their physicochemical and immunomodulatory properties. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 310, 143079 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.143079
45. Tang, H.M. and Cheung, P.C.K. (2025).Time-course transcriptomic dataset of gallic acid-induced human cervical carcinoma HeLa cell death. Data, 10, 61. https://doi.org/3390/data10050061
46. Alahyaribeik, S., Mirdamadi, S., Shim, H., Cheung, P.C.K., Wu, J., Grootaert, C. Van Camp, J and Mahta Mirzaei, M. (2025). Potential antidiabetic activity and permeability assessment of the modified yeast-derived peptides, VLSTSFPPW (VW-9). Food Chemistry, 490, 144968. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.144968
47. Kei, N., Cheung, K.K., Ma, K.L., Yau, T.W., Lauw, S., Kang, X., Sun, K.W.Y., Wang, Y., Wong, V.W.S., Wong, S.H. and Cheung, P.C.K. (2025). Effects of prebiotics inulin and oat β-glucan on colonic architecture and hepatic proteome in mice with circadian-disruption-aggravated metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. Nutrients, 17, 2245. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17132245
48. Zhou, D, Kei, N. and Cheung, P.C.K. (2025). Prebiotic oat β-glucan ameliorates metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis in a dose-dependent manner. Food Bioscience, 71, 107154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107154
49. Ling, M., Zhao, L., Hu, K., Wang, Q., Cheung, P.C.K., Shi, G., Chen, L. and Ding, Z. (2025). A Mixed-linkage-selective β-1,4-glucanase from Pleurotus tuber-regium: Functional characterization and mechanistic insights into substrate cleavage specificity. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 73, 20860-20876. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.5c07635
50. Kei, N., Lauw, S. and Cheung, P.C.K. (2025). Analytical strategies for gut microbiome studies of prebiotic β-glucan in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: A mini-review. Food Bioscience, 71, 107202. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2025.107202
51. Zhou, Z., Li, L., Duan, J., Zhu, J., Wang, X., Guo, J., Li, K., Shi, L., Wong, T.K., Cheung, P.C.K., Chen, Z., Hu, W. and Li, C. (2026). Starch-EGCG complex enhances EGCG bioavailability through microbial metabolism and ameliorates metabolic-associated fatty liver disease via gut-liver axis. Carbohydrate Polymers, 373, 124687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2025.124687
52. Cheng, W.Y., Chan P.H., Chan, P.L., Lam, K.L., Lai, N.C.H., Ho, Y.S., Yeung, W.F., Wong, K.H., Cheung, P.C.K. and Chang, R.C.C. (2026). Chronoregulatory and neuroprotective effects of yeast β-glucan against systemic inflammation. Carbohydrate Polymers, 378, 124812. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2025.124812
53. Li, W., Fang, J., Zhang, X., Xu, M., Cheung, P.C.K., Shi, G., Chen, L. and Ding, Z. (2026). Environmental regulation, molecular profiling, and preliminary functional evaluation of extracellular vesicles from Pleurotus tuber-regium. Foods, 15, 1439. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods15081439
54. Li, X., Huang, Y., Li, M., Shen, A., Yang, Q., Cheung, P.C.K. and Zhang, B. (2026). Multifunctional bio-preservative potential of Lactobacillus plantarum postbiotics: thermal stability and efficacy in food models. Letters in Applied Microbiology, 79, ovag042 https://doi.org/10.1093/lambio/ovag042
55. Guo, H., Mei, G., Wu, L., Hong, J., Wei, S., Yang, Q., Zhang, B., Cheung, P.C.K. and Zhang, B. (2026). Exopolysaccharides from lecithin-zeaxanthin-stimulated Cordyceps militaris alleviate cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression and intestine-liver injury. Carbohydrate Polymers, 389, 125682. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2026.125682

Research Grants

• 2025-2026, General Research Fund  (GRF), Why does starch-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) complex, a type 5 resistant starch outperform EGCG alone in alleviating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease? HKD 1,375,476
• 2024-2025, (Knowledge Transfer Project Fund (KPF24GWP13), ORKTS, Promotion of high-fibre diet and synbiotics to manage overweight and obesity with support of social media and online platforms HKD 400,000
• 2023-2025, Key technology and industrial application of high-efficiency preparation of seaweed polysaccharides (Guangdong Province International Science and Technology Cooperation Fund, RMB 2,000,000
• 2023-2024, General Research Fund (GRF), Protective effects of prebiotic β-glucans on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis aggravated by circadian disruption in mice is mediated by gut microbiota and their metabolites HKD 1370972
• 2023-2025, Guangdong Province International Science and Technology Cooperation Fund (ISTCF) Key technology and industrial application of high-efficiency preparation of seaweed polysaccharides RMB 2000000
• 2021-2023, General Research Fund (GRF), Does dietary oxidized cholesterol alter gut microbiota and is it more atherosclerotic than dietary cholesterol itself? HKD 1,125,732
• 2020-2024, Theme-based Research (TBR), A paradigm-shifting, fully-integrated, compact wastewater-to-resource facility – Chemical and biological properties of sulfated polysaccharides recovered from sludge. HKD 1,646,000
• 2019-2024, Research Impact Fund (GIF), Tackling grand challenges in food safety: A bug data and IoT enabled approach HKD 790,160

Patents

• The preparation and application of a water-soluble heteropolysaccharide [一種水溶性雜多糖及其制備方法和用途]. Chinese Patent CN 1425693A (published on 25 June 2003)
• The preparation and application of an antitumor water-soluble heteropolysaccharide [一種具有抗腫瘤活性的水溶性雜多糖及其製備方法和用途]. Chinese Patent CN 1425694A (published on 25 June 2003)
• Extract of a medicinal mushroom, Polyporus rhinocerusCooke and composition of the same having antiproliferation of cancer cells and immune enhancing activity[具有抗癌與免疫增强活性的虎乳灵芝提取物及其制備方法]. Chinese Patent CN 200510114299.4 (published on 5 February 2010)
• Extraction of Polyporus rhinocerus Cooke with antitumor and immune-enhancing activities and preparation thereof [具有抗癌與免疫增强活性的虎乳灵芝提取物及其制備方法]. Hong Kong SAR Patent HK1101770 (published on 21 January 2011)

Professional Activities

Editorial membership

• Associate Editor of the Bioactive Carbohydrates and Dietary Fibre
• Member of the Advisory Board of Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
• Member of the Editorial Board of International Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms
• Member of the Editorial Board of Food Hydrocolloids for Health
• Member of the Editorial Board of Food Science and Human Wellness
• Member of the Editorial Board of Food Science (Shipin Kexue)

Professional membership

• Member of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT)
• Member of the American Chemical Society (ACS)
• Professional Member of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (MAIFST)

Professional services

• Served as Vice-chairman of the International Food Safety Association (since 2011)
• Served as the Expert Panel member (Food Science and Nutrition) of the Hong Kong Food Science and Technology Association (since 2011)
• Served as the Advisor of the Hong Kong Nutrition Association (since 2010)
• Served as the Advisor of the Hong Kong Public Health Inspector Association (since 2009)
• Served as the Chairman of the Hong Kong Food Science and Technology Association (2004-2005).
• Served as the Vice-chairman of the Hong Kong Food Science and Technology Association (1997-2003).