Vale Peter Board

by Dr. Robert Steele

Peter Board died suddenly on the 16th October 2013. He joined the canning section of CSIRO Division
of Food Preservation and Transport in 1950 having recently completed his BSc(Hons) degree in
physical-inorganic chemistry at the University of Sydney. His leadership qualities were quickly
recognised because within a few months of his appointment Dr J. R. Vickery, the then Chief of the
Division described him as showing “outstanding initiative and energy”. In 1956-57 he was placed in
charge of the CSIRO Tasmanian Regional Laboratory in Hobart. In 1970 he was made Leader of the
Food Technology Section of the CSIRO Food Research Laboratory at North Ryde, and in 1977 Leader
of the Applied Science Group. He retired from CSIRO in 1986. On top of these responsibilities Peter
served on the CSIRO Officers Association and as its President of the NSW branch.

Peter published over 100 scientific and technical papers (see below) which made significant
contributions to a wide range of areas in food technology, notably canning. He was the leading
Australian authority of the safe heat processing of low acid canned foods and on corrosion of
tinplate containers. His standing was recognised by his appointment to many Australian and
International committees. He served as Chairman of the Australian Standards Association
committees on equipment for thermal processing of canned foods, and as a member of the
committee on surgical implants as an expert on the electrochemistry of corrosion. He also served on
the Australian Defence Forces Food Specifications Committee. Peter represented Australia at
meetings of the Codex Alimentarius Commission Committee on processed meats. He wrote the code
of practice for thermal processing of low acid canned foods which is recognised as essential reading
for food processors.

Peter recognised the need for a vibrant professional body for food science. He was a founding
member and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST). In 1981 he
was honoured with the AIFST Award of Merit for his achievements in food science and technology.

On his retirement Mr J. Kefford wrote “Peter Board has been eminently successful in establishing
cordial relations with technologists and management in the food industry and in related government
departments. At some expense to his own research career he has devoted himself to the technical
welfare of the industry and has successfully resolved many challenging problems by inspired thinking
and application of advanced methods of investigation.”

CSIRO has enjoyed an excellent reputation in the Australian and International Food Industry thanks
in part to Peter Board’s dedication, initiative and energy.
 Publication List
Journal articles

Board, P. W.; Steele, R. J. Untitled.

Food Australia. 2009; 61 (7):291-291

1. Norumu, W.; Board, P.W. Acceptability of soymilk to young Papua New Guineans. ASEAN
food journal. 1991; 6(1):24-27.
2. Board, P.W. Quality control in fruit and vegtable processing. FAO Food and Nutrition Paper
39. 1988. 63p. 8 refs, illus..
3. Board, P.W. Introductory canning technology. In: Buckle, K A (ed.) Diagnosis of Spoilage in
Canned Foods and Related Products. 1985. pp. 1.1-1.12 1 ref.
4. Board, P.W. Metal cans - construction and double seaming. In: Buckle, K A (ed.) Diagnosis of
Spoilage in Canned Foods and Related Products. 1985. pp. 7.1-7.7 1 ref.
5. Board, P.W. Recovery of foods suspected to be defective. In: Buckle, K A (ed.) Diagnosis of
Spoilage in Canned Foods and Related Products. 1985. pp. 13.1-13.6.
6. Board, P.W. Activities of the AIFST Working Party on food inspection. Food Technology in
Australia. 1984; 36(7):326-7.
7. Board, P.W. Quality assurance: everyone's responsibility. Food Technology in Australia.
1984; 36(5):212-13.
8. Board, P.W. Aspects of food research in the Australian CSIRO. Indian Food Industry. 1983;
2:121-3.
9. Board, P.W.; Woods, H.J. Compositional variations and sensory acceptability of apple juice
drink. Journal of Food Technology. 1983; 18:763-9 6 refs.
10. Norumu, W.; Board, P.W. Soy-based products for nutritional trials at Lae, Papua New
Guinea. Food Research Report. Division of Food Research. CSIRO Australia. 1983. (167): 6p..
11. Board, P.W. Applied research for the food industry: opportunities and constraints. Food
Technology in Australia. 1981. 33(6): 266-270.
12. Board, P.W. Australian Defence Force Food Specifications. CSIRO Food Research Quarterly.
Supplementary Series. 1981. 41(1): 19-24.
13. Board, P.W. What are canned foods?. CSIRO Food Research Quarterly. 1981. 41(2): 29-31.
14. Board, P.W.; Baumgartner, P.A. Defects in canned meats. Circular. Division of Food Research.
CSIRO Australia. 1981. (11): 12p. illus..
15. Board, P. W.; Aicken, K. A.; Kuskis, A. Measurement of the spreadability of margarine and
butter using a single pin maturometer. Journal of Food Technology. 1980; 14:277-83.
16. Board, P.W.; Steele, R.J. Assessment of can double seams: metric tables and nomograms.
CSIRO Food Research Quarterly. Supplementary Series. 1980. 40(2): 35-42 4 refs.
17. Peter, D; Board, P; PALMER, M. Selenium supplementation of grazing sheep. I. Effects of
selenium drenching and other factors on plasma and erythyocyte glutathione peroxidase
activities and blood selenium concentrations of lambs and ewes. Aust. J. Agric. Res.. 1980;
31:991-1004.
18. Rutledge, P.J.; Board, P.W. Comparison of physical methods for estimating the maturity of
raw, frozen and cooked peas. Journal of Texture Studies. 1980; 11:379-88.
19. Board, P.W.; Montgomery, W.A.; Rutledge, P.J. How much collagen in Australian canned
meats?. CSIRO Food Research Quarterly. 1979. 39(3 and 4): 70-1 5 refs.
20. Steele, R.J.; Board, P.W. Amendments to Ball's formula method for calculating the lethal
value of thermal processes. Journal of Food Science. 1979; 44(1):292-293.
21. Steele, R.J.; Board, P.W. Thermal process calculations using sterilizing ratios. Journal of Food
Technology. 1979; 14:227-35.
22. Steele, R.J.; Board, P.W.; Best, D.J.; Willcox, M.E. Revision of the formula method tables for
thermal process evaluation. Journal of Food Science. 1979; 44:954-7.
23. Steele, R; Board, P; BEST, D J; WILLCOX, M. Revision of the formula method for thermal
process evaluation. Food Science. 1979; 44:954-957.
24. Board, P.W. Sampling plan for the Australian Defence Force Food Specifications. Food
Technology in Australia. 1978; 30(4):154-157.
25. Board, P.W.; Montgomery, W.A.; Rutledge, P.J. Collagen content of some Australian canned
meats. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 1978; 29:569-573.
26. Board, P.W.; Steele, R.J. Calculating heat sterilisation processes for canned foods. Food
Technology in Australia. 1978; 30(5):169-173.
27. Board, P.W.; Stekly, V. Fitting thermocouples into cans. CSIRO Food Research Quarterly.
1978. 38(2): 45-7 4 refs illus..
28. Mitchell, R.S.; Rutledge, P.J.; Board, P.W. Cooling of vined peas in Australia. CSIRO Food
Research Quarterly. 1978. 38(3): 56-61 7 refs illus..
29. Board, P.W.; Steele, R.J. Internal corrosion of cans of frozen egg pulp III. Corrosivity of pulp
made from city and country eggs. Food Research Report. Division of Food Research. CSIRO
Australia. 1977. (126): 6p..
30. Board, P.W.; Steele, R.J. Internal corrosion of tinplate cans of frozen egg pulp II. Studies of
commercial cans stored at different temperatures. Food Research Report. Division of Food
Research. CSIRO Australia. 1977. (125): 7p., illus..
31. McBride, R.L.; Kuskis, A.; Board, P.W. How should frozen chicken be roasted?. CSIRO Food
Research Quarterly. 1977. 37(3): 49-53 9 refs.
32. Board, P.W.; Steele, R.J. Internal corrosion of cans of frozen egg pulp. Food Research Report.
Division of Food Research. CSIRO Australia. 1976. no.114, 6p..
33. Board, P.W.; Vignaroli, L. Electrolytic tinplate for some Australian canned foods. Food
Technology in Australia. 1976. 28(12):486-7.
34. Holland, R.V.; Board, P.W. Determination of ozone by gas chromatography. Analyst. 1976;
101:887-891.
35. Board, P.W.; Steele, R.J. Diagnosis of Corrosion Problems in Tinplate Food Cans. CSIRO Aust.
Division of Food Research Technical Paper. 1975; (41):1-16.
36. Board, P.N. Ethics and reality - the technologists' dilemma. Food Technology in New Zealand.
1975. 10(10):21-4.
37. Board, P.W. Heat processing and retort operation. In: Manual for inspectors and quality
controllers in Australian meat canneries. 1975. typescript, 8-1 - 8-12.
38. Board, P.W. Manual for inspectors and quality controllers in Australian meat canneries.
1975. typescript, various pagination.
39. Board, P.W. Sterilized foods. Australian Process and Engineering. 1975. 3(8):19-23.
40. Board, P.W.; Davis, E.G. Principles of food packaging. Food Technology in Australia. 1975.
27(11):497-8, 8 refs.
41. Board, P.W.; Steele, R.J. Diagnosis of corrosion problems in tinplate food cans. Technical
Paper. Division of Food Research. CSIRO Australia. 1975. (41): 16p..
42. Board, P.W.; Vignaroli, L. Final report of investigation to select electrolytic tinplate for some
Australian canned foods. Food Research Report. Division of Food Research. CSIRO Australia.
1975. no.107, 25p., 29 refs.
43. Davis, E.G.; Board, P.W. Corrosion of aluminium containers by frozen bakery products. Food
Research Report. Division of Food Research. CSIRO Australia. 1975. 111, 6p..
44. Board, P.W. How might technology help the fruit canning industry. Food Technology in
Australia. 1974. 26(4):128-9,131.
45. Board, P.W. Chemistry of nitrate-induced corrosion of tinplate. Food Technology in Australia.
1973; 25(1):15-16.
46. Board, P.W.; Vignaroli, L. Progress report of investigations to select electrolytic tinplate to
replace hot dipped tinplate for some Australian canned foods. Food Research Report.
Division of Food Research. CSIRO Australia. 1973. no.88.
47. Davis, E.G.; Board, P.W. Corrosion of aluminium containers by frozen bakery products.
Second interim report. Food Research Report. Division of Food Research. CSIRO Australia.
1973. no. 92.
48. McBride, R.L.; Board, P.W. Sensory quality and lipid composition of leg meat from sheep fed
a diet containing a seed oil supplement. Food Research Report. Division of Food Research.
CSIRO Australia. 1973. no.90.
49. Powers, M.J.; Board, P.W. Apparatus for measuring time to breakdown of heated fleshy
plant tissues. Journal of Texture Studies. 1973; 4:278-283.
50. Thomas, M. A.; Baumgartner, P. A.; Board, P. W.; Gipps, P. G. Evaluation of some non-meat
proteins for use in sausage. Journal of food technology. 1973; 8:175-184.
51. Board, P.W. Calculation of sterilization values of thermal processes for canned foods.
Specialist Courses for the Food Industry. Division of Food Research. CSIRO Australia. 1972.
no.2:27-32.
52. Board, P.W. Calculation of temperatures in canned meats for quarantine purposes. Food
Research Report. Division of Food Research. CSIRO Australia. 1972. no.61.
53. Board, P.W. Food engineering at CSIRO. Australian Process and Engineering. 1972. pp.33-5.
54. Board, P.W.; Casimir, D.J. Technology of vegetable proteins. Food Research Report. Division
of Food Research. CSIRO Australia. 1972. no.64.
55. Board, P.W.; Holland, R.V.; Steele, R.J. Prediction of pitting corrosion in tinplate from
capacitance measurement. British Corrosion Journal. 1972; 7(2):87-9.
56. Holland, R.V.; Board, P.W.; Richardson, K.C. Sterilization by electrohydraulic discharges.
Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 1972; 14(3):459-72.
57. Mcbride, R.L.; Board, P.W. Quality attributes of some new varieties of sweet potato. Food
Research Report. Division of Food Research. CSIRO Australia. 1972. no.69.
58. Board, P.W. Corrosion control in the food industry. Australian Chemical and Process
Engineering. 1971; 24(10):13-15.
59. Board, P.W. Flavour of milk and meat from cattle fed on a diet containing a feed attractant.
Food Research Report. Division of Food Research. CSIRO Australia. 1971. no.52.
60. Board, P.W. Temperature measurements in the food industry. Specialist Courses for the
Food Industry. Division of Food Research. CSIRO Australia. 1971. no.1, pp.5-14.
61. Board, P. W.; Bain, J. M.; Gove, D. W.; Mullett, J. T. Structural changes in whole milk during
the production of sterile concentrates: an electron microscope study. Journal of Dairy
Research. 1970; 37(3):513-19.
62. Board, P.W. Australian canning industry from 1949-1970. Food Technology in Australia.
1970; 22(8):406-9.
63. Board, P.W.; Mullett, J.T. Improved method for canning 3-fold concentrated whole milk.
Journal of dairy science. 1970; 37:505-511.
64. Board, P.W.; Stekly, V. Retorting of luv pet foods. Food Research Report. Division of Food
Research. CSIRO Australia. 1970. no.28.
65. Board, P.W. Errors in measuring temperatures during the evaluation of canning processes.
Lebensmittel-Wissenschaft und Technologie. 1969; 2:144.
66. Board, P.W. Notes on the measurement of temperature with thermocouples. Food Research
Report. Division of Food Research. CSIRO Australia. 1969. no.12.
67. Board, P.W. Phosphate corrosion in canned meat. CSIRO Food Preservation Quarterly. 1969.
29(4):72-5.
68. Board, P.W. Possible developments in fruit canning. CSIRO Food Preservation Quarterly.
1969. 29(3):41-3.
69. Board, P.W. Practical heat sterilization. Proceedings of the Royal Australian Chemical
Institute. 1969; 36(5):125-30.
70. Board, P.W. Processing of prawns. Food Technology in Australia. 1969. 21(4):179.
71. Board, P.W.; Holland, R.V. Hydrogen swells in canned sauerkraut. Food Research Report.
Division of Food Research. CSIRO Australia. 1969. no.2.
72. Board, P.W.; Holland, R.V. Inhibition of nitrate-induced corrosion of tinplate cans. British
Corrosion Journal. 1969; 4(3):162-5.
73. Board, P.W.; Stekly, V. Aluminium cans for Australian foods. Food Research Report. Division
of Food Research. CSIRO Australia. 1969. no.14.
74. Davis, E.G.; Board, P.W. Recent research on food packaging problems. Food Research
Report. Division of Food Research. CSIRO Australia. 1969. no.15.
75. Board, P. W.; Britz, D.; Holland, R. V. Improved method for using the koryta adsorption
equation: adsorption of erythrosin. Electrochimica Acta. 1968; 13(7):1633-9.
76. Board, P. W.; Britz, D.; Holland, R. V. Reduction of erythrosin in the dropping mercury
electrode. Electrochimica Acta. 1968; 13(7):1575-1579.
77. Board, P. W.; Holland, R. V.; Britz, D. Solid electrode chronopotentiometry for studying the
reaction of erythrosin on tinplate. British Corrosion Journal. 1968; 3:
78. Board, P.W. Canning technology overseas. CSIRO Food Preservation Quarterly. 1968.
28(3/4): 39-42.
79. Board, P.W.; Holland, R.V.; Britz, D. Dithiocarbamates, carbon disulphide and the corrosion
of tinplate. British Corrosion Journal. 1968; 3(5):238-241.
80. Mitchell, R.S.; Board, P.W.; Lynch, L.J. Fluidized-bed blanching of green peas for processing.
Food Technology. 1968; 22(6):717 - 718.
81. Board, P. W.; Holland, R. V.; Elbourne, R. G. P. The effect of sulphur-containing fungicides on
the corrosion of plain cans of fruit. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 1967;
18(6):232-236.
82. Board, P.W. New materials for food cans. CSIRO Food Preservation Quarterly. 1967;
27(4):95-98.
83. Board, P. W. Principles and practice of heat sterilization in canning. CSIRO Food Preservation
Quarterly. 1966; 26(2,3,4):
84. Board, P.W.; Gallop, R.A.; Sykes, S.M. Quality of canned berry fruits. I. The influence of
sucrose concentration and of low-methoxyl pectin added to the syrup. Food Technology.
1966; 20(9):109-111.
85. Board, P.W.; Gallop, R.A.; Sykes, S.M. Quality of canned berry fruits. II. The influence of
exhausting and thermal processing methods. Food Technology. 1966; 20(9):116-119.
86. Board, P. W.; Elbourne, G. P. Pitting corrosion in plain cans containing acid foods. Food
Technology. 1965; 19(10):115-118.
87. Board, P. W.; Haque, I. U. Discoloration of canned cured meats caused by copper. Food
technology. 1965; 19(11):117-120.
88. Board, P. W.; Elbourne, G. P. Dispersing agents for the tin-dithiol complex. The Analyst: The
Journal of the Society for Analytical Chemistry. 1964; 89(1061):555-556.
89. Board, P. W.; Elbourne, G. P. Laboratory examination of canned foods: XX. New methods for
examining headspace gases. CSIRO Food Preservation Quarterly. 1964; 24(2):25-9.
90. Board, P. W.; Elbourne, R. G. P. New methods for determining tin and iron. CSIRO Food
Preservation Quarterly. 1964; 24(3-4):53-56.
91. Middlehurst, J.; Board, P. W.; Elbourne, R. G. P. Electrochemical effects in thermocouples.
Journal of Scientific Instruments. 1964; 41:676-678.
92. Board, P. W. Heat penetration and rapid heating techniques with canned foods. CSIRO Food
Preservation Quarterly. 1963; 23(2):33-37.
 93. Board, P.W.; Cowell, N.D.; Hicks, E.W. Studies in canning processes: III. The cooling phase of
processess for products heating by conduction. Food Research. 1960; 25(4):449-459.
94. Board, P. W. Tomatoes for processing. C.S.I.R.O. Food preservation Quarterly. 1958; 18(4):73
- 75.
95. Board, P. W. Problems of stability of canned foods enzymic aspects. 1957.
96. Board, P.W. Glass-like deposits in canned foods. Food Preservation Quarterly. 1957;
17(4):75.
97. Gallop, R.A.; Board, P.W. Canning apple products in Tasmania. Food preservation quarterly.
1956; 16(2):22 - 25.
98. Board, P.W.; Seale, P.E. Canning Bananas. Food Preservation Quarterly. 1954; 14(1):2 - 3.
99. Evans, H. L.; Board, P. W. Studies in canning processes. I. effect of headspace on heat
penetration in products : heating by conduction. Food technology. 1954; 8(5):258-62.

Conference papers/Conference proceedings

1. Board, P. W.; Bain, J. M.; Gove, D. W.; Mullett, J. T. Study by electron microscopy of the
structural changes occuring in whole milk during production of sterile concentrates. In:
CSIRO Division of Food Preservation, North Ryde, NSW;Hunter Valley Cooperative Dairy Co.
Ltd, Hexham, N S W., editor/s. Proceedings of the 18th International Dairy Congress (Sydney,
NSW: 1970); 1970; Sydney, NSW. 1970. Ie:258.
2. Board, P. W. Principles and practice of heat sterilization. In: CSIRO, Division of Food
Preservation, Ryde, NSW, editor/s. Proceedings of the ... Winter School : The Foreman in the
Food Plant; [Sydney]: Food Technology Association of NSW; 1968. 49-59.

Books/Book chapters

1. Board, P.W.; Coote, G.G. The maturation of green stringless bush beans. Melbourne: CSIRO;
1959.

Reports

1. Board, P. W. Determination of thermal processes for canned foods. Sydney, NSW.: CSIRO.
Div. Food Research; 1977. procite:16ecf3fc-0773-46e2-a835-5070ebe12621
2. Board, P; COOTE, G. The maturation of green stringless bush beans. 1959. procite:7685e0d4-
3d77-42dd-b7e6-2f8027ae84a5
3. Empey, W.A.; Board, P. W. Canning of Hams. 1952. Report No.:Canning memo no. 338.
procite:126ca1cc-257c-463c-a220-6a798ae82f85

UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY

1946-49 B.Sc. Honours. “Measurements of the stability of Metal Chelates using Radio

Cobalt” and short term projects involving polarography, spectroscopy,

crystallography and magnetic properties. Supervisor: Dr. D.P. Mellor.