Chitra Bhattacharya | Food Science | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Chitra  Bhattacharya |  Food Science | Best Researcher Award

Assistant Professor at Atmiya University, Rajkot, Gujarat, India

Dr. Chitra Bhattacharya is an Assistant Professor of Microbiology at Atmiya University, Rajkot. She holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from MATS University, Raipur, with her doctoral research focused on the “Isolation and Identification of Prominent Fungal Strains from Agricultural Soil for Lipase Production.” Her academic background also includes an M.Phil from Rani Durgawati Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur, and M.Sc. and B.Sc. degrees in Microbiology from Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Chhattisgarh.

Profile:

🎓 Educational Background:

  • Ph.D. in Microbiology – MATS University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh (2020)
    Thesis: “Isolation and Identification of Prominent Fungal Strains from Agricultural Soil for Lipase Production”

  • M.Phil in Microbiology – Rani Durgawati Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur (2011)

  • M.Sc. in Microbiology – Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University (2010)

  • B.Sc. in Biology – Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University (2008)

  • DCA (Computer Applications) – Rajiv Gandhi Computer Saksharta Mission, New Delhi (2009)

🧫 Research Interests:

  • 🌾 Agricultural Microbiology

  • 🧪 Enzymology (Lipase Production)

  • 🌱 Microbes-Plant Interactions

  • 🍄 Mycology

🧪 Research Profile & Projects:

  • 🧬 Co-Principal Investigator in a UGC-sponsored Minor Research Project on Lipase Enzyme Production and its Industrial Applications

  • 👩‍🔬 3 years of active research experience

  • Research aligns with sustainable agriculture and industrial biotechnology

📚 Teaching Experience:

  • Over 12 years of teaching in microbiology and life sciences

  • Formerly served at:

    • Bhilai Mahila Mahavidyalaya (C.G.)

    • Rungta College of Science & Technology, Bhilai

    • Gyanyagna College of Science & Management, Rajkot

    • Currently at Atmiya University, Rajkot since 2020

🧑‍🏫 Subjects Taught:

  • 🧫 Fundamentals of Microbiology

  • 🌍 Environmental & Agricultural Microbiology

  • 📈 Biostatistics and Instrumentation

  • 🦠 Microbial Diversity, Ecology, Mycology & Virology

  • 🌿 Plant Pathology & Disease Management

Publication Top Notes:

  • Study of Effect of PGPR on Growth and Disease Resistance in Selected Economically Important Crops of Saurashtra Region – India
    Dissertation or Thesis, 2024
    Contributors: Shivani D. Patel, Chitra Bhattacharya, Neepa Pandhi

  • Design and Operation of New Microbial Product Bioprocessing System
    In: Microbial Products for Future Industrialization, Book Chapter, 2023
    Contributors: Ravi Ranjan Kumar, Chitra Bhattacharya

  • Isolation and Identification of PGPR Traits from Soil Samples of the Saurashtra Region
    Indian Journal of Scientific Research, 2023
    Contributors: Shivani Patel, Amisha Parmar, Jensi Nandaniya, Saloni Makadiya, Neepa Pandhi, Chitra Bhattacharya

  • Isolation of Fungi for Lipase Production from Paddy Fields
    Advances in Pharmacology & Toxicology, 2023
    Contributors: Bhawana Pandey, Chitra Bhattacharya

  • Microbial Biomaterials and Their Industrial Applications
    In: Microbial Products for Future Industrialization, Book Chapter, 2023
    Contributors: Chitra Bhattacharya, Mousumi Das

  • Screening of Bacillus sp. (OQ654027) Mediated Seed Bio-Priming Enhance Plant-Growth-Promotion for Sustainable Crop Production of Groundnut and Chickpea
    Current Agriculture Research Journal, 2023
    Contributors: Shivani Patel, Chitra Bhattacharya, Neepa Pandhi

  • In Vitro Study of Antagonistic Activity, Extraction and Optimization of Amylase Enzyme from Trichoderma harzianum Against Selected Soil-Borne Fungal Isolates
    Journal Article, 2022
    Contributors: Amisha Parmar, Chitra Bhattacharya, Ravi Ranjan Kumar, Mousumi Das, Parin Doshi

  • Application of Microbial Technology for Waste Removal
    In: Microbial Technology for Sustainable Environment, Book Chapter, 2021
    DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-3840-4_16
    Contributors: R.R. Kumar, Chitra Bhattacharya, N. Prakash Vishwakarma

  • Isolation, Screening and Optimization of Lipase Producing Fungal Strains from Agricultural Soil
    International Journal of Pharmacy and Biological Sciences (IJPBS), 2019

  • Isolation and Characterization of Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria from Paddy Field of Bhilai Region
    World Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2017
    Contributors: Chitra Bhattacharya, Neha Shrivastava, Hempushpa Urwsha, Rishpalika Mishra, Krutika Deshpande, Dipti Sahu, Akansha Lal, et al.

  • Study of Lipase Producing Bacterial Strains from Oil Contaminated Soil
    Journal of Basic and Applied Research in Biomedicine, 2016
    Contributors: Chitra Bhattacharya, Bhawana Pandey, Ashis Sarkar

 

Mohsen Mokhtarain | Food Science | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Mohsen Mokhtarain | Food Science |  Best Researcher Award

College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, China

Mohsen Mokhtarian is currently pursuing his Ph.D. at the College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University (CAU), Beijing. His academic interests lie in food science and nutrition, with a focus on research-driven innovation in food processing and safety. Mohsen is actively engaged in international academic collaboration and brings a strong interdisciplinary background to his research.

Profile:

🎓 Academic Background:

Holding an M.Sc. in Food Science and Technology, I specialize in food processing, preservation, and food engineering. Over the past decade, I have supervised graduate students and conducted innovative research, resulting in high-impact journal publications, translated books, and authored textbooks. My technical expertise spans HPLC, FTIR, rheology, and food drying technologies. Notably, I contributed to the development of cold plasma drying methods and the extraction of bioactive compounds, serving as a reviewer for international journals and contributing meaningfully to both academia and industry.

🔬 Research & Innovations:

  • Key Research Areas:

    • Food Engineering & Rheology

    • Drying of Food & Agri-Products

    • Advanced Technologies (Ultrasound, Cold Plasma)

    • ANN, RSM, Fuzzy Logic for Process Optimization

    • Dryer Design (Solar, Nano-Spray)

    • Bioactive Compound Extraction

    • Edible Coatings for Preservation

  • Notable Contributions:
    I’ve advanced food preservation methods by leveraging deep learning for monitoring drying processes, improving product quality via moisture and color tracking. I developed nutrient-rich yogurt fortified with bitter orange seed powder and created edible coatings to extend shelf-life. These innovations have improved both industrial practices and consumer health outcomes.

📚 Books Published (Selected Titles & ISBNs):

Total: 17 books (translated and authored)
Examples:

  1. Drying in the Dairy Industry – ISBN: 978-622-294-637-1

  2. Food Lipids – ISBN: 978-622-91867-0-1

  3. Probiotics in Mental Health – ISBN: 978-622-294-400-1

  4. Fundamentals of Osmotic Dehydration of Food – ISBN: 978-600-8588-72-6

  5. Adapting High Hydrostatic Pressure (HPP) for Food Processing – ISBN: 978-964-8195-61-3
    Full list available upon request.

🧪 Experience:

  • 2025–2024: TA, CAU–Cornell Dual Program

  • 2016–2023: Asst. Professor, Azad University, Tehran

  • 2014–2024: Lecturer, Universities in Iran

  • Executed roles in academic administration, curriculum development, and journal management.

Citation Metrics:

  • Total Citations: 771

  • Citations Since 2020: 587

  • h-index: 14 (since 2020: 13)

  • i10-index: 22 (since 2020: 16)

Publication Top Notes:

  1. Energy and exergy analysis in solar drying of pistachio with air recycling system
    M Mokhtarian, H Tavakolipour, A Kalbasi-Ashtari
    Drying Technology 34 (12), 1484-1500, 75 citations, 2016

  2. Application of innovative processing methods for the extraction of bioactive compounds from saffron (Crocus sativus) petals
    HH Gahruie, K Parastouei, M Mokhtarian, H Rostami, M Niakousari, …
    Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants 19, 100264, 71 citations, 2020

  3. Aflatoxin B1 in the Iranian pistachio nut and decontamination methods: A systematic review
    M Mohsen, T Hamid, B Foroud, OCA Fernandes, CC Humberto, …
    Quality Assurance and Safety of Crops & Foods 12 (4), 15-25, 69 citations, 2020

  4. Modeling of drying kiwi slices and its sensory evaluation
    A Mahjoorian, M Mokhtarian, N Fayyaz, F Rahmati, S Sayyadi, P Ariaii
    Food Science & Nutrition 5 (3), 466-473, 52 citations, 2017

  5. Effects of solar drying along with air recycling system on physicochemical and sensory properties of dehydrated pistachio nuts
    M Mokhtarian, H Tavakolipour, AK Ashtari
    Lwt 75, 202-209, 51 citations, 2017

  6. Optimisation of pumpkin mass transfer kinetic during osmotic dehydration using artificial neural network and response surface methodology modelling
    M Mokhtarian, MH Majd, F Koushki, H Bakhshabadi, AD Garmakhany, …
    Quality Assurance and Safety of Crops & Foods 6 (2), 201-214, 42 citations, 2014

  7. Neural network approaches for prediction of pistachio drying kinetics
    H Tavakolipour, M Mokhtarian
    International Journal of Food Engineering 8 (3), 39 citations, 2012

  8. Intelligent monitoring of zucchini drying process based on fuzzy expert engine and ANN
    H Tavakolipour, M Mokhtarian, A Kalbasi‐Ashtari
    Journal of Food Process Engineering 37 (5), 474-481, 30 citations, 2014

  9. Co‐encapsulation of vitamin D3 and saffron petals’ bioactive compounds in nanoemulsions: Effects of emulsifier and homogenizer types
    HH Gahruie, M Niakousari, K Parastouei, M Mokhtarian, I Eş, …
    Journal of Food Processing and Preservation 44 (8), e14629, 25 citations, 2020

  10. Effects of solar drying operation equipped with a finned and double-pass heat collector on energy utilization, essential oil extraction and bio-active compounds of peppermint
    M Mokhtarian, A Kalbasi-Ashtari, HW Xiao
    Drying Technology, 1-27, 23 citations, 2020