Division of Food Safety and Nutrition
Microbial contamination of food can result in major illnesses and in some occasions even deaths. Thus, knowledge about foodborne pathogens is extremely important for creating awareness among the public regarding the potential health hazards associated with food borne pathogens. The Division of Food Safety and Nutrition focuses on research related to fundamental and applied aspects of pathogen biology, understanding their mode of action, the molecular mechanisms involved and developing rapid and sensitive molecular detection techniques for major foodborne infectious agents. The division encourages the concept of transfer of technology, enabling the scientists to develop techniques and tools with potential commercial applications. The division is also involved in educating and training of undergraduate and graduate students in various molecular, immunologic, epidemiologic, and biologic aspects of foodborne microbial pathogenesis, as well as monitoring, control and prevention of such diseases. The division is also committed to training health professionals through the various outreach program
Dr. MAMATHA BS
- DesignationAssistant Professor G-II
- Email mamatha.bs@nitte.edu.in
- Contact No..
- Joining date 03-05-2017
Dr. Mamatha BS completed her Ph.D. from CFTRI, Mysore. Pursued teaching as my career and joined St. Aloysius College (Autonomous), Mangalore from 2014- 2017. Later, she joined NUCSER in 2017. She have 18 research articles and external reseach projects to her credits. Her research interest lies in two areas of food science, the bioavailability of lutein (xanthophyll carotenoid) in mice model and antihypertensive peptides from fish protein hydrolysates.
Doctor of Philosophy (Nutritional Biochemistry), Central Food Technological Research Center (CFTRI), University of Mysore, Mysore, 2013
Master of science (Food Science and Nutrition), University of Mysore, 2002
Assistant professor, Nitte University Centre for Science Education and Research, Mangaluru (2016- till date).
Assistant Professor, St. Aloysius College, Mangaluru (2014-2017).
Sr. Research Scientist, Supreem Pharmaceutical Pvt. Ltd., Nanjangud (2012-2013).
ICMR Research Fellow, Dept. of Biochemistry and Nutrition (2007-2012)
Project Assistant, Department of Sensory Science, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore (2004-2007).
Food Safety
Nutritional Biochemistry
Food Technology
Nutrition Society of India (NSI) prize for the Best Oral Presentation during, 2019
Certificate of appreciation awarded in recognition of achievement/ dedicated and valuable service towards enhancing quality of education in "Sambhrama" 2015 and 2017, St. Aloysius college, Mangalore
Senior Research fellowship by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 2007.
Awarded First prize for the poster presented, ICFOST-2005, NIMHANS, Bangalore.
Member, Hostel committee, NUCSER
Member, Academic committee, NUCSER
In-charge, Women cell, NUCSER
Member, Association of Food Technology Research Institute (AFSTI)
Member, Nutrition Society of India (NSI)
Undergraduate-
Food and Nutrition
Postgraduate-
Food Packaging and Storage, Food Standards Certification and Quality Control
PhD students: 04 (ongoing)
PG Students: 18 (completed)
UG Students: 04 (completed)
Journal publications-
Bhat, I., Yathisha, U.G., Karunasagar, I., Mamatha, B.S. (2020) Nutraceutical approach to enhance lutein bioavailability via nano-delivery systems. Nutrition reviews (In Press).
Yathish, U., Bhat, I., Karunasagar, Iddya., Mamatha, B.S. (2019) Antihypertensive Activity of fish protein hydrolysates and its peptides. Critical Reviews in Food Science 59(15):2363-2374.
Mamatha, B.S., Ranganathan, A., Bhatiwada, N., Talahalli, R.R., Vallikannan, B. (2015) Dietary components affect the plasma and tissue levels of lutein in aged rats with lutein deficiency a repeated gavage and dietary study. Journal of Food Science 80(10):H2322- 30.
Mamatha, B.S., Nidhi, B., Padmaprabhu, C.A., Pallavi, P., Vallikannan, B. (2015) Risk factors for nuclear and cortical cataracts: a hospital based study. Journal of Ophthalmic and Vision Research 10(3).
Nidhi, B., Mamatha, B.S., Baskaran, V. (2014) Olive oil improves the intestinal absorption and bioavailability of lutein in lutein-deficient mice. European journal of nutrition 53(1):117-126.
Ranganathan, A., Mamatha, B. S., Baskaran, V. (2014) Quality characteristics and lutein bioavailability from maize and vegetable-based health food. Journal of dietary supplements 11(2):131-144.
Nidhi, B., Mamatha, B. S., Padmaprabhu, C. A., Pallavi, P., Vallikannan, B. (2013) Dietary and lifestyle risk factors associated with age-related macular degeneration: a hospital based study. Indian journal of ophthalmology 61(12):722-727.
All Publications: Google scholar-
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=chyi97gAAAAJ&hl=en
As PI:
Nano-formulation of lutein to improve bioavailability in the prevention of Age-Related Macular Degeneration, funded by ICMR, 2019-2022 [Budget: 24.27 lakhs]
An approach to determine in vitro bioaccessibility of lutein, funded by NitteDU, 2018-2020 [Budget: 1.75 lakhs]
As Co-PI/Co-I:
NU-TEC farmers training Centre for development of value-added agriculture products, funded by DST-TEC, 2019-2024 [Budget: 500 lakhs].
Mrs. RAJESHWARI B VITTAL
- DesignationAssistant Professor G-I
- Email rajeshwari.vittal@nitte.edu.in
- Contact No..
- Joining date 14-08-2014
I am presently working as a Senior Lecturer in NUCSER, have 6 years of teaching experience and am pursuing my Ph.D. in Biological Science stream. In addition, my expertise is in analysis of water quality parameters, microbiological techniques (soil and water), molecular techniques and toxicological studies (acute and chronic toxicity tests). I have been guiding the PG students as a guide and a Co-guide. I am also involved in analyzing external samples of food and water, and also involved in providing training to the personnel form different parts of the country. I have few GenBank submission in my name.
Master of Science (Ecology & Environment), KVAFSU, 2009
- Senior Lecturer, Nitte University Centre for science education and research, Mangaluru, (2018-till date)
- Lecturer, Nitte University Centre for science education and research, Mangaluru (2014 – 2018 )
- Senior Research Fellow, Department of Microbiology, KVAFSU (2014 to 2014)
- Senior Research Fellow, Department of Ecology & Environment, KVAFSU, (2008 to 2010)
Microbiology
Infectious Disease
Environment &toxicology
- Japan- Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science (SAKURA exchange), awardee 2017
- Training workshop on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing at PGIMER, Chandigarh, 2016
- Participant, Responsible Conduct of Science Research sponsored by US National Academy of Science, 2015
- Member, Student welfare committee, NUCSER
- Institutional Alumni (Coordinator)
- Institutional committee against substance abuse(member)
- Institutional women cell (member)
- Student grievance cell (member)
Member of The Society of Biological Chemists (SBC), India
Undergraduate-
Cell and Developmental Biology, General lab Practice
Postgraduate-
Food microbiology, Research Ethics & IPR, Food Processing and Preservation, Techniques in Biomedical Science, Food additives & adulterants, Techniques in Food Science
PG Students: 04 (completed), 02 (ongoing)
UG Students: 03 (completed)
- Journal publications-Das, A., Vittal, R., Raj, J.R., Akhila, D.S. (2019) Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Listeria species isolated from ready-to-eat dairy products. Indian Journal of Comparative Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases 40(1):11-4.
- Shivakumaraswamy, S.K., Deekshit, V.K., Vittal, R., Akhila, D.S., Mundanda, D.M., Raj, J.R., Chakraborty, A., Karunasagar, I. (2019) Phenotypic & genotypic study of antimicrobial profile of bacteria isolates from environmental samples. Indian Journal of Medical Research 149(2):232.
- Shetty, S.S., Deekshit, V.K., Jazeela, K., Vittal, R., Rohit, A., Chakraborty, A., Karunasagar, I. (2019) Plasmid-mediated fluoroquinolone resistance associated with extra-intestinal Escherichia coli isolates from hospital samples. Indian Journal of Medical Research 149(2):192.
- Raj, J.R., Vittal, R., Shivakumaraswamy, S.K., Deekshit, V.K., Chakraborty, A., Karunasagar, I. (2019) Presence & mobility of antimicrobial resistance in Gram-negative bacteria from environmental samples in coastal Karnataka, India. Indian Journal of Medical Research 149(2):290.
- Raj, J.R., Vittal, R., Shivakumaraswamy, S.K., Deekshit, V.K., Karunasagar. I. (2017) Comparison of antimicrobial resistance in Gram negative bacteria isolated from effluents in coastal districts of Karnataka, India. Nitte University Journal of Health Sciences 7 (4): 2249-7110.
- Mohan Raj, J.R., Vittal, R., Huilgol, P., Bhat, U., Karunasagar, I. (2018) T4‐like Escherichia coli Phages from the Environment Carry bla CTX‐M. Letters in applied microbiology 67:9-14.
All Publications: Google scholar-https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=wMdbV4IAAAAJ&hl=en
Research projects
Intramural Funding
Intramural Funding
- Biocontrol of biofilm forming bacteria isolated from diabetic ulcers using phage, funded by NitteDU, 2018-2020 [Budget 1.7 lakhs]
- Detection of micro and nanoplastics in bottled water and devaluation of the associated health effects using the zebrafish model system" Principal Investigator, funded by Nitte DU, 2020.
