Research Interest

• Health foods/Functional foods/Bioactive foods
• Nutraceuticals/Dietary supplements
• Bioactive cereals/Bioactive natural products
• Health food technology

Student Supervision

• MSc/MPhil/PhD
• Ms. Madara Samaranayake – PhD – Ongoing, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo Thesis Title: A study on selected nutritional properties and seed chemical characteristics of a range of Sri Lankan rice varieties
• Ms. Nayani Senarathne – PhD – Ongoing, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura Thesis Title: A Comprehensive study on skin whitening and anti-aging properties of bark of Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume) and development of a value-added cosmeceutical
• Ms. Kushlani Deshapriya - PhD - Ongoing, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Anti-cancer and and anti-inflammatory activities of widely cultivating new improved and traditional rice varieties of Sri Lanka: Identification of Medicinal Rice for Value Addition
• Ms. C.M. Peries - PhD degree Research title: Determination of anti-glycation activity and phytochemicals of selected medicinal plants in Sri Lankan for the development of dietary supplements
• Ms. G.V.S. Pabasara - MPhil Degree, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo - Ongoing
• MSc - Savidya Liyanage University of Sri Jayewardenepura
• MSc - Nethmini Senevirathne, Faculty of Science, University of Colombo
• Final Year Research Projects/Industrial Training
• E.A.D.S.N. Kumara. Undergraduate research project. Extraction and characterization of lignified fiber and cellulose from Kithul leaves. Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Complete in February, 2023.
• K.G.S.J. Madushanka. Undergraduate research project. Establishment of a trained sensory panel at the Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo. Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Complete in February, 2023.
• S.H.S.D. Senarath. Undergraduate research project. Development of a value added tea from thebu (costus speciosus) leaves. Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Complete in February, 2023.
• D.M.A.D. Bandara. Undergraduate research project. Development of an anti-diabetic bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) tea. Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Complete in February, 2023.
• S.S.V. Sumanadasa. Undergraduate research project. Effect of flavoring practices on selected physiochemical, sensory and health properties in widely exporting Ceylon black tea consumer packs. Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Complete in February, 2023.
• K.M.V. Kalaldora. Undergraduate research project. Developing a spice cube using selected spices as substituent for monosodium glutamate. Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Complete in February, 2023.
• T. Vithyalanee Undergraduate research project. Antioxidant and anti-glycation properties of a range of Sri Lankan plants and profiling of their flavors and flavonols: Suitability in cosmeceutical applications. Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Complete in February, 2023.
• G. A. C. Kumari. Undergraduate research project. Antimicrobial Potential of Brans of Sri Lankan Traditional Rice and Improved Rice Advanced Breeding Lines Against Staphylococcus aureus. Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, 2020.
• G. N. H. Senevirathne, Undergraduate research project. Novel anti-diabetic related health food properties of selected millet types and sorghum varieties of Sri Lanka: an in vitro study, Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, 2019.
• S. I. Jayathilaka, Undergraduate research project. Antioxidant and anti-lipidemic properties of selected millet types and sorghum varieties of Sri Lanka: an in vitro study, Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, 2019.
• S.A.T. Lakshan. Undergraduate research project. Development of a herbal drink by using blue pea flower (Clitoria ternatea L.) extract and investigation of antioxidant and anti-diabetic properties. Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, 2018
• Nisangika S.A.G. Undergraduate research project. A study on selected physicochemical and functional properties of two newly formulated multigrain breads in comparison to selected commercially available multigrain breads and wheat bread. The Department of Chemistry, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, 2016.
• P.G.I. Dias. Undergraduate research project. Low fat, low sugar and no sugar rice extract incorporated yoghurts with enhanced physicochemical and antioxidant properties. Department of Food Science & Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, 2016
• U.P.T.C. Abayarathna. Undergraduate research project. Glycemic regulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and physicochemical properties of fenugreek (Trigonellafoenum graecum) seeds. Department of Food Science & Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, 2016.
• G.H.D.I.U. Dodamgoda. Undergraduate research project. Antioxidant activity of selected red and white rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties of Sri Lanka. Faculty of Science and Technology, Uva Wellassa University, 2014.
• D.A.C.K. Dalukdeniya. Undergraduate research project. A study on physicochemical properties and selected bioactivities of newly formulated rice noodles in comparison with selected commercially available noodles. Department of Food Science & Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, 2015.
• H.P.D Srimali. Undergraduate research project. Enhanced physicochemical and antioxidant properties of rice extracts added yoghurts in comparison to plain yoghurt. Department of Food Science & Technology, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka, 2015.
• S.A.K. James. Undergraduate research project. Resistant starch content and different processing methods of improved, old improved and traditional rice varieties (Oryza sativa L.) of Sri Lanka. Institute of Chemistry Ceylon. 2014.
• Nayanthara Upeksha Darmaratne. Undergraduate research project. Rice fortification with iron fumarate by spherication. Institute of Chemistry Ceylon. 2014
• K W N D Kiriella. Undergraduate research project. Antioxidant properties of peptide hydrolysates derived from selected traditional red rice varieties cultivated in Sri Lanka. Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka. 2014.
• S R H Kandamby, Physiochemical and nutritional properties of selected traditional foods of Sri Lanka. Institute of Chemistry Ceylon. 2017.
• H.M.G.P.P.K.Herath from Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Training at Food Technology Section, Industrial Technology Institute, 2022.06.15 - 2022.12.14
• J.H.A.A.Jayamaha from Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Training at Food Technology Section, Industrial Technology Institute, 2022.06.15 - 2022.12.14
• R.M.U.D.Niwarthana from Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Training at Food Technology Section, Industrial Technology Institute, 2022.06.15 - 2022.12.14.
• S.L.N.Pathirana from Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Training at Food Technology Section, Industrial Technology Institute, 2022.06.15 - 2022.12.14.
• R.M.J.Thiwanka from Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Training at Food Technology Section, Industrial Technology Institute, 2022.06.15 - 2022.12.14.
• U.Thushana from Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Training at Food Technology Section, Industrial Technology Institute, 2022.06.15 - 2022.12.14.
• S.E.k Fernando from Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Training at Residual Analysis Laboratory, Industrial Technology Institute, 2022.7.11- 2022.12.26.
• D.V. Maduwanthi from Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Training at Microbiology laboratory in Chemical and Microbiology division Industrial Technology Institute, 2022.07.18 - 2022.12.30.
• Supervision of K.M.V Kalaldora from Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Training at Food Technology Section, Industrial Technology Institute, 19.07.2021 - 18.01.2022
• Supervision of S.H.S.D. Senarath from Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Training at Herbal Technology Section, Industrial Technology Institute, 19.07.2021 - 19.01.2022.
• Supervision of W.L.S.M.I.D.M. Thilakarathne from Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Training at Food Technology Section, Industrial Technology Institute, 19.07.2021 - 18. 01. 2022.
• Supervision of D.S. Vidanapathirana from Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Training at Plant breeding division, Grain Legume and Oil Seed Research and Development Center, Agnunukolapelessa, 03.05.2021-03.11.2021
• Supervision of E A D S N Kumara from Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Training at Herbal Technology Section, Industrial Technology Institute, 19.07.2021 – 18.01.2022.
• Supervision of H.A.G. Dilan Randima from Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Training at Plant breeding section, Grain Legume and Oil Crops Research and Development Centre, Angukolapelessa, 03. 05.2021 - 03. 11. 2021.
• Supervision of M.W.C.I. Perera, Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo, Training at Agriculture Division, (CBL) Plenty Foods Pvt Ltd Kekirawe, 01.07.2021-31.12.2021

Bio-assays Established/Studied

• Anti-diabetic Assays: α-amylase inhibition assay, α-glucosidase inhibition assay, Anti-glycation assays (BSA-glucose and BSA-MGO mediated glycation models), Glycation reversing assays (BSA-glucose and BSA-MGO mediated glycation reversing models), Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition assay, Butyrylthiocholinesterase (BChE) inhibition assay, In vitro glycaemic index (in vitro dialysis), Amylose content, Dietary fibre (enzymatic assay)
• Anti-oxidant assays: DPPH radical scavenging assay, ABTS radical scavenging assay, Oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay (ORAC), Superoxide radicals scavenging assay, Nitric oxide radicals scavenging assay, Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP), Ferrous iron chelating assay, H2O2 radical scavenging assay, Hydroxyl radical scavenging assay, Thiobarbituric acid-reactive species (TBARS) assay, Total polyphenolic assay, Total flavonoid assay
• Anti-inflammatory assays: COX1 and COX2 enzyme inhibition assays, Superoxide radicals scavenging assay, Nitric oxide radicals scavenging assay, Oxidative burst assay for whole blood, Oxidative burst assay for polymorphonuclear leukocytes, Oxidative burst assay for macrophages, Nitric oxide (cell-based assay), Inhibition of TNF-α production (cell-based assay), Inhibition of IL-1 β production (cell-based assay)
• Anti-cancer bioassays: Cytotoxicity by MTT Assay, Sulforhodamine-B cytotoxicity assay, Glutathione-s transferase enzyme inhibition assay
• Anti-hypertension bioassays: Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition assay

Products Developed from Research Grants

• Nutritionally and functionally enhanced Moringa oleifera Lam. (Murunga) tea

• Clinically proven low glycaemic multigrain bread

• Rice bran based value-added range of functional yoghurts

• Rice bran-based value-added functional beverage

• Rice bran incorporated functional noodle

• Nutritionally and functionally enhanced Moringa oleifera Lam. (Murunga) capsule

• Skin whitening and Anti-aging Moringa oleifera Lam. (Murunga) cream

Laboratory Establishment

• Food Science & Technology Laboratory, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo

• Establishment of High Throughput Screening/Bioactivity Testing Facility at the Department of Agricultural Technology, Faculty of Technology, University of Colombo

• Involved in Functional Food Laboratory Establishment at the Industrial Technology Institute

• Bioactivity Testing Laboratory Improvement by Establishing Range of Bioassays at the Herbal Technology Section, Industrial Technology Institute

• Served for Biotechnology Unit Establishment at the Industrial Technology Institute