Staff
|
Head |
Dr. G A S Premakumara |
|
Senior Research Officers |
Mr. K R Dayananda |
R & D Projects
| Name | Dr. J.K.R. Radhika Samarasekara |
| Academic Qualifications |
Ph. D., Organic Chemistry – IACR-Rothamsted, Harpenden Herts, UK/The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK, December, 1997 B. Sc. – Special Degree in Chemistry University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, 1991 |
| Areas Of Expertise |
Bio – pesticides, Bacterial and fungal Biological control agents, plant based products Organic synthesis Essential oils and spices Chromatography NMR spectroscopy Bioassay screening techniques |
| Projects Completed |
Synthesis Studies of Essential Oils for Development of Insecticidal Products Against Mosquitoes and Houseflies. |
| Ongoing Projects |
Biological Control of Mosquitoes by Bacteria and Fungi. Biological Control of Agricultural Pests by Sri Lankan Environmental Isolates of Bacillus thuringiensis . Extraction and Analysis of Anti-oxidant and Anti-tyrosinase Active Compounds from Lotus Stamen. Development of Mycoacaricide Formulation to Manage Coconut Mites (2006) |
| Name | Mr. K.R.Dayananada |
| Qualifications | M.Phil Kelaniya , Grad I.Chem,Cey, Dip. Uppsala |
| Areas expertise | Spices, essential oils, aflatoxins, flavours, fragrances , spirits, alcoholic liquor |
| Projects completed |
Analysis of aflatoxins in food, feed and spices Adulteration of essential oils and field test methods for detection Sulphur fumigation and evaluation of residue SO2 in Ceylon cinnamon Processing technologies for value added products from spices Distillation of essential oils , cinnamon , citronella, lemon grass, clove ,cardamom etc. and establishment of large scale distillation facility. Feasibility study on extraction of oleo pine resin and separation of pinus gum rosin and turpentine. Technology for the production of ointments and balms with special reference to herbal medicinal ingredients. |
| Ongoing research projects | Alternate method for fumigation of cinnamon R & D work on upgrading existing traditional oil distillation units. Development of basic infrastructure for the establishment of value added products originating from essential oil and aroma chemicals. |
| Name | Dr.G.A.S.Premakumara |
| Qualifications | BSc PhD MIBiol CBiol MIChemC |
| Areas of Expertise | Natural Products Chemistry, Pharmacology, Herbal & Biotechnology |
| Projects completed |
Quantitative estimation of active ingredients in some Sri Lankan medicinal plants using Ion Induced Desorption Techniques – National Science Foundation (RG/98/C/08). Chemical and agronomical studies on Piper betle (S:Bulath) and development of value added products – Centre for Agricultural Research Policy (CARP 12/406/296). Evaluation of human sperm motility stimulant S-ACT-1of Sri Lankan marine red alga Gelidiella acerosa as a potential sperm stimulant in medically assisted reproduction – National Research Council (NRC – 99.31). Development of Bio-pesticides from Neem – National Research Council (NRC-00.12) Development of therapeutic products based on plant derived immunomodulatory compounds – SIDA(IL)/2000/BT/03 National project on Upliftment of Kithul Industry to meet the challenges of local and export market – Ministry of Small & Rural Industries. |
| On going projects |
Bio-mapping for Bio-prospecting – Industrial Technology Institute. Systematic search for anti malarial compounds from different eco-types of Munronia pinnata (Wall) Theob.(S=Binkohomba) a Sri Lankan medicinal plant used in traditional medicine for Malaria. Molecular characterization of economically useful yeast strains found in Kithul sap, identification of bio-active pigments in the strains and effect of the strains on bio-transformation of oligosaccharides. Study of the constituents of Kithul sap for the control of colour, flavour and crysllization during jaggery & treacle production. KASPER production Systematic serch for antimalarial compounds from different ecotypes of munronia pinnata (wal binkohomba) Sri Lanka medicinal plant used in traditional medicine for malaria |
