Anand Agricultural University

Preamble:

Dairy Microbiology is a constituent Department of SMC College of Dairy Science since its inception in 1959. The college was a constituents part of the then Institute of Agriculture, Anand and then became a Faculty under Gujarat Agricultural University in 1972. In 2004, Gujarat Agricultural University was split in to four universities by Gujarat Act No. 5, and the Faculty became a constituent of Anand Agricultural University. The Department is responsible for teaching courses related to Dairy Microbiology and Food Biotechnology at Undergraduate and Post Graduate levels. It also conducts research in the subject as per the demand of the industry and policy of the university and participates in various extension activities.

Goal/Objective:

To achieve excellence in the three mandated areas of the University, i.e. Teaching, Research and Extension.

Mission:

To acquire and disseminate up-to-date knowledge in the area of Dairy Microbiology and Food Biotechnology.
To develop manpower of B.Tech. (DT) students with adequate knowledge of Microbiology of milk and milk products, their shelf-life, quality assurance, safety aspects, sanitation and hygiene of a dairy plant and brief overview of Food & Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology.
To develop of manpower with excellence in Dairy Microbiology and Food Biotechnology at Masters and Doctorate level.
The principle of area of research work is exploitation of nutritional and therapeutic potential of lactic acid bacteria.
To serve the nation as Niche Centre in probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics.
To explore international and inter-institutional collaborations in education and research.
To strengthen SASNET-Fermented Foods and use this platform for initiating international collaborations.
To propose research projects of national and international importance and acquire maximum funding from other agencies.
To conduct training programs, seminars, workshops, etc in the area of functional fermented foods, quality assurance and starter cultures.
To help Vidya Dairy in conduct of the training programs organized by them in collaboration with SMC College of Dairy Science.
To participate in Krishi-melas, science exhibition and out-reach programs organized by the university and by other agencies.

Recognitions:

International :

Head Quarter of Swedish South Asian Network on Fermented Foods

National:

ICAR Niche Centre of Excellence on Functional Fermented Dairy Products with Synbiotics.

Awards/Honours to the Faculty of Dairy Microbiology Department:

Name of Award/Position	Awarded by	Awarded for	Year
Chancellor’s Gold Medal to Dr. JB Prajapati	Gujarat Agril. University.	For being the best post graduate student during the year 1984-85	1985
Best Paper Award from “Hari Ohm Ashram Prerit Bhaikaka Inter Univ. Smarak Trust” to JB Prajapati , RK Shah and JM Dave	Sardar Patel University	Our research paper entitled “Survival of Lactobacillus acidophilus in blended spray dried acidophilus preparation” published in Australian J. Dairy Technology.	1987
Visiting Fellowship to Dr. JB Prajapati	Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi	For conducting research on genetic improvement of probiotic Lactobacilli	1993-94
Hari Ohm Ashram sponsored Prof. J.P. Trivedi Award to Dr JM Dave and co-workers	GAAS, Ahmedabad	Outstanding Research work on “Biotechnological applications of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria for nutritional and therapeutic benefits”,	1993-94
Best Poster Award - First Prize to MN Ashar & JB Prajapati	Association of Food Scientists & Technologists, Mysore	Awarded to our poster research paper entitled “Effect of feeding Lactobacillus acidophilus on blood cholesterol level in human volunteers” at ICFoST-97	1997
Best Paper Award from “Hari Ohm Ashram Prerit Bhaikaka Inter Univ. Smarak Trust” to MN Ashar & JB Prajapati	Sardar Patel University, VV Nagar	Our research paper entitled “Verification of hypocholesterolemic effect of fermented milk on human subject with different cholesterol levels” published in Folia Microbiologica.	2001
Best Poster Award - Second Prize	SASNET-Fermented Foods, Anand	“Manufacture of Indian Kishk and a study of its nutritional properties” authored by Neha Prajapati, Rema Subhash and JB Prajapati presented at the Second International Conference on “Fermented Foods, Health Status and Social Well-being” organized by SASNET-FF, AAU, Lund University and IRMA, December 17-18, 2005 at AAU, Anand	2005
Second Best Poster Award	SASNET-Fermented Foods, Anand	“Adhesion of probiotic lactobacilli to human colonic cell line HT-29X” authored by Vishwanath K., JB Prajapati and Asa Ljungh presented at the Third International Conference on “Fermented Foods, Health Status and Social Well-being” organized by SASNET-FF, AAU, Lund University and NDDB, December 14-15, 2007 at AAU, Anand.	2007
Erasmus Mundus Fellowship to Dr J.B. Prajapati	European Commission	Working at Department of Biotechnology, Lund University, Sweden in the area of fermented foods..	2009
Best Poster Award	Pondicherry University	“Isolation and Characterization of EPS producing Lactic acid bacteria” authored by Arti Patel, Olle Holst and Prajapati JB presented at International Conference on Traditional Foods, organized by Pondicherry University during 1-3 December 2010 at Pondicherry.	2010
Best Poster Award	Indian National Academy of Engineers and Indian Institute of Technology at IIT, Karagpur	“Molecular characterization of probiotic culture Lactobacillus helveticus MTCC 5463” authored by Chitra J and Prajapati JB presented at National Symposium on Emerging innovative technologies for assurance of quality and safety in processed foods, organized by Indian National Academy of Engineers and Indian Institute of Technology at IIT, Karagpur during 24-25 February 2011.	2011
Best Poster Award	Anand Agricultural University	“Isolation of Bifidobacteria from human breast milk” authored by Goswami RP and Prajapati JB presented at National seminar on paradigm shift in Indian Dairy Industry duirng 21-22 May 2011 organized by Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat.	2011
Second Best Poster Award	Anand Agricultural University	“Development of probiotic chocolate” authored by Gadhiya DK, Prajapati JB, Jana AH and Shaikh AI, presented at National seminar on paradigm shift in Indian Dairy Industry duirng 21-22 May 2011 organized by Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat.	2011
Best Research Paper Award	Indian Dairy Association	Our paper published in Indian Journal of Dairy Science, 2011. Palak Jani, Sreeja V. and Prajapati JB (2011). Influence of Different Cryoprotectants and Packaging Materials on the Viability and Acidifying Activity of Freeze-dried Streptococcus thermophilus Cultures. Ind J Dairy Sci. 64(2):112-120	2011
Second best paper award	Indian Dairy Association	Our paper published in Indian Dairyman entitled “Thrust for Probiotic Drinks in Indian Market: Opportunities Ahead” authored by Kunal Gawai and J. B. Prajapati.	2012
IDA Fellowship Award to Dr J.B. Prajapati	Indian Dairy Association	In recognition of the valuable services rendered by Dr Prajapati in furthering the cause of the Indian Dairy Association in particular and the Indian Dairy Industry in general	2012
3^rd Best Young Researcher Award to Ms Suja Senan	Probiotic Association of India	Oral presentation at the 1^st International Symposium on “Probiotics for Human Health- New Innovations and Emerging Trends” held during 27-28^th August, 2012	2012
Best oral presentation award to Ms Suja Senan	AAU, Anand	Comparative genomic analysis of the stress response in Probiotic L. helveticus MTCC5463 and dairy starter culture L. helveticus DPC 4571 strains by Suja Senan and JB Prajapati presented at national seminar on innovative approaches in dairy industry, march 1-2, 2013, AAU, Anand	2013
Second best poster Award	SASNET-FF	Activity and stability of dry probiotic formulation for application as food ingredient by Panchal U., Sreeja V., Gawai K. and JB Prajapati presented at sixth International conference on Fermented Foods, Health Status and Social Well-being organized by SASNET-FF in collaboration with AAU and Lund University, Sweden, December 6-7, 2013	2013
Best poster Award (First Prize)	SASNET-FF	Plasmid profiling of lactic acid bacteria and their bacteriocin production activity by Rupal J. Solanki, Avani Kaushal, J.B. Trivedi, S. Hati and J.B. Prajapati presented at sixth International conference on Fermented Foods, Health Status and Social Well-being organized by SASNET-FF in collaboration with AAU and Lund University, Sweden , December 6-7, 2013	2013
Best poster paper award (Second Prize)	Yakult India Microbiota & Probiotic Science Foundation	“Influence of probiotic Lactobacillus heveticus MTCC 5463 on geriatric gut metagenome analyzed by ion torrent 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing” authored by Suja Senan and JB Prapati presented at “Probiotics Microbiome and Gut Function” symposium organized by Yakult India Microbiota & Probiotic Science Foundation, 15-16 February 2014, New Delhi (Cash prize of Rs 30,000/-).	2014
Prof. Sukumer Dey Gold Medal to Dr Subrota Hati	WBUAFS, Kolkata	Best Student during B.Tech (DT)	2006
Urmilabala Memorial Gold Medal	IDA, New Delhi	Best Student during B.Tech (DT)	2007
Best Oral Presentation Award to Dr Subrota Hati	SASNET-FF, Anand	“Hypocholesterolaemic effect of fermented soy milk in animal model” authored by Subrota Hati, Shilpa Vij, S. Mandal, BP Singh presented at sixth International conference on Fermented Foods, Health Status and Social Well-being organized by SASNET-FF in collaboration with AAU and Lund University, Sweden , December 6-7, 2013	2013
Best Poster Award (Second Prize)	IDA, New Delhi	“Antioxidative and biotransformation of isoflavones in fermented soy milk by probiotic Lactobacilli” presented in IDA Dairy Industry Conference, New Delhi on 4-6, 2013	2013
BioVed Young Scientist Award-2013 to Dr Subrota Hati	BIOVED Society, Allahabad	“Antioxidative activity and Polyphenol content in Fermented Soy Milk supplemented with WPC-70 by Probiotic Lactobacilli” coauthored by Subrota Hati, Shilpa Vij, S. Mandal presented in Indian Agricultural Congress and Farmers Asso in Allhabad on February 9-10, 2013	2013
Best Oral Presentation award (3^rd Prize) to Dr Subrota Hati	IIFANS, New Delhi	α-Galactosidase activity and oligasaccharides utilization by probiotic lactobacilli during fermentation of Soy Milk presented in ICMR and DST sponsored International Conference on Food Technology: impact on Nutrition and Health organized by IIFANS, New Delhi on 23-24 December, 2013 at JNU, New Delhi.	2013
Best Poster Award	IIFANS, New Delhi	Antioxidative and biotransformation of isoflavones in fermented soy milk by probiotic Lactobacilli presented in ICMR and DST sponsored International Conference on Food Technology: impact on Nutrition and Health organized by IIFANS, New Delhi on 23-24 December, 2013 at JNU, New Delhi.	2013
Best Paper award	IDA, New Delhi	“Process optimization of a Drinkable Acidophilus Milk” coauthored by Subrota Hati, DN Gandhi, S. Vij, S. Mandal published in Indian Journal Of Dairy Science. 63.(5). 350-357.	2012
Best Paper Award	IDA, New Delhi	“Antibiotic Resistance pattern of common disease causing pathogens” coauthored by S. Vij, S. Hati, S. Borkar published in Indian Journal of Dairy Science. 65(11). 47-51.	2013
Prof. J. P. Trivedi Award	Gujarat Association for Agricultural Sciences, Gujarat	Dr. J B Prajapati and his team from Dairy Microbiology Department has been conferred with the Prof. J. P. Trivedi Award (2013) sponsored by Shri Hari-Ohm- Ashram for development of first Indian Probiotic Culture till commercial application	2013
Best Poster Award	IDA, New Delhi	“Influence of Proteolytic activity of Lactobacillus helveticus MTCC5463 and release of bioactive peptides” by Dr Subrota Hati, Dr Sreeja V and Dr JB Prajapati has been awarded Best Poster Award (2^nd Prize in QSM group) at 43^rd Dairy Industry Conference, Science City, Kolkata on 21^st Feb, 2015.	2015
Best paper award	IDA, New Delhi	Dr Subrota Hati, Dr JB Prajapati won Best Paper Award (2^nd Prize) for their article “Biofunctional Whey based beverages” published in Indian Dairyman, Vol 65(5) : 62-69 at 43^rd Dairy Industry Conference, Science City, Kolkata on 21^st Feb, 2015.	2015
Best Poster Award	AAU, Anand	“Significance of Proteolytic Lactobacillus helveticus MTCC5463 on ACE inhibitory activity and release of bioactive peptides” by Dr Subrota Hati, Dr Bhumika Dhabi, Dr Amar Sakure and Dr. JB Prajapati” won Best Poster Award (2^nd Prize) at National Seminar, AAU, Anand on 8-9 January, 2015.	2015
Best Poster Award	AAU, Anand	“Formulation and evaluation of dosage forms of starter cultures and probiotics for use as inocula/ food ingredient/ dietary supplement in the household and industrial level” by Dr. Sreeja V and Dr. J B Prajapati won third prize at National Seminar, AAU, Anand on 8-9 January, 2015.	2015
Hari Ohm Ashram Award	ICAR, New Delhi	Dr. JB Prajapati has been conferred coveted “Hari Ohm Ashram Award” for Biennium 2012-13 (for animal and fisheries sciences) by Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. This award was given in recognition of his outstanding contributions in the area of probiotic research in ICAR award ceremony at Patna on 25th July 2015. The award carries a citation and a cash prize of rupees one lakh.	2015
Best Poster Award (First Prize)	North-Eastern Hill University, Meghalaya.	Dr. Subrota Hati, Dr. Keyur Patel, Dr. BK Mishra and Dr. JB Prajapati from Dairy Microbiology Department, have been awarded Best Poster Award (1st Prize) on “Antimicrobial, Antioxidative and ACE-inhibitory activity of Fermented Soy Milk with proteolytic Lactic acid bacteria” presented in a National Seminar on October 5th, 2015 at North-Eastern Hill University, Meghalaya.	2015
Best Poster Award (First Prize)	BHU, Varanasi	Dr. Subrota Hati, Ms. Nikita Patel, and Dr. JB Prajapati from Dairy Microbiology Department, have been awarded Best Poster Award (1st Prize) on Antioxidative activity, Beta-glucosidase activity and biotransformation of Isoflavones during fermentation in soy milk using potential Lactobacilli on International Conference, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi during April 05-06, 2016	2016

Patents and IPR

Patent Application No. 620/MUM/2011 for invention entitled “process for manufacture of herbal probiotic fermented milk product. (awaiting the granting of patent).

Bacterial cultures have been deposited as Indian Patent Deposits at MTCC, Chandigarh. (potential probiotics, L.helveticus MTCC 5463 and L. rhamnosus MTCC 5562; Dairy starter cultures, S. thermophilus MTCC 5460 and S.thermophilus MTCC 5461, L. rhamnosus MTCC 5945, L. rhamnosus MTCC 5946, W. cibaria MTCC 5947, W. cibaria MTCC 5948, L. rhamnosus MTCC 25062, L. fermentum MTCC 25067, L. lactis sub-sp. lactis MTCC 25066).

Education:

All courses taught for B.Tech. (DT), M.Tech. and Ph.D. program offered in Dairy Microbiology

Research:

Main research activity at the Department is exploitation of beneficial lactic acid bacteria for human health and development of products containing these probiotic bacteria. Significant work has been conducted on various probiotic and synbiotic product formulations and study of their shelf-life. Several feeding trials are also conducted to verify the health benefits of the probiotic cultures.

Department has also conducted work on Neera Preservation, Development of rapid quality control tests, Use of Lactoperoxidase system for preservation of milk, Bacterial spore, Microbiology of Shrikhand, Clean milk production, isolation and characterization of ACE inhibitory bioactive peptides from camel milk etc.

Research Projects at DM

Sr. No.	B.H. No.	Title
1	12351-02 (GOG-plan )	To Standardize a Method for Commercial Manufacture of Dahi with Enhanced Acceptability and Stability
3	12951-04 (GOG-plan )	Plasmid Profile of Lactic Acid Bacteria and their use as Bio-Medical Agents.
4	2704-32 (ICAR)	Dairy Microbes under the scheme veterinary type culture collection (ICAR)
5	18476 (DBT)	Metagenomic and Clinical investigation of symbiotic fermented dairy product containing probiotic Lactobacillus helveticus MTCC 5463 in Geriatric Volunteers (DBT)
6	18476-01 (DST)	Development of Technology for production of ACE-inhibitory Bioactive peptides through fermentation of soy milk and bovine milk (DST)
7	18476-04 DBT	Bio-prospecting of Lactic Cultures from ‘North-Eastern Regions’ to Develop Functional Fermented Soy Products with potential health benefits (DBT)
8	SIDA	New Knowledge and Innovative Food Design Leading to Sustainable Development of the Agro-Food Sector and Decreased Poverty (in collaboration with Lund University, Sweden)

We are feeling proud in announcing that we are the first in India to have isolated, characterized and deposited two probiotic cultures (Lactobacillus helveticus MTCC 5463 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus MTCC 5462) and 09 Dairy cultures (Streptococcus thermophilus MTCC 5460, Streptococcus thermophilus MTCC 5461, L. rhamnosus MTCC 5945, L. rhamnosus MTCC 5946, W. cibaria MTCC 5947, W. cibaria MTCC 5948, L. rhamnosus MTCC 25062, L. fermentum MTCC 25067, L. lactis sub-sp. lactis MTCC 25066 to MTCC) in an Internationally recognized culture repository at MTCC, Chandigarh as Indian Patent Deposits.
Lactobacillus helveticus MTCC 5463, Lactobacillus rhamnosus MTCC 5462, Streptococcus thermophilus MTCC 5460 and Streptococcus thermophilus MTCC 5461 cultures have been fully sequenced using 454 GS-FLX whole genome sequencing facility. The genome sequence of these cultures have been deposited in gene bank.
A Patent Application No. 620/MUM/2011 for invention entitled “Process for manufacture of herbal probiotic fermented milk product” involving use L.helveticus MTCC 5463 as probiotic culture has been filed.
Presently operate two ICAR, one DBT, one DST and three Plan research projects. Under these projects a grant of Rs 4.00 crores have been brought and used for research and development of the faculty.
Probiotic functional foods based on milk, rice and wheat containing live Lactobacillus in dried form has been developed.
Synbiotic dahi, lassi and beverages with fruit and vegetable blends have been developed.
Process for manufacture of probiotic herbal beverage as well as carbonated beverage are also optimized.
Developed package of practices for increasing the shelf-life of khoa, paneer and chhash.
A total of 18 recommendation for scientific community and food industry have been passed in Joint AGRESCO of AAU in last 5 years based on our research work.

Extension

Several Training Programs, conference and seminars are organized by the department.
Apart from these, the faculty of Dairy Microbiology participates as resource persons in several other training programs organized by other Departments of the Faculty.
Faculty of Dairy Microbiology Department participates in other training programs, especially Dairy Technology for Non Dairy Technologists every month as resource persons.
Regular participation in krishi-melas, science exhibitions, Mera Gaoan Mera Garv etc.
Organization of clean milk production contest through NSS.
Administration of Dr JR Patel Memorial Charitable Trust for the benefit of Students and Faculty of Dairy Science.

Publications:

Sr. No.	Type of Publication	Numbers
1	Ph.D. Thesis	11
2	M.Sc. Thesis	55
3	Project Reports	12
4	Compendium/Monographs (QC, Starters, Eureka, Synbiotics)	07
*5	Manuals for Teaching	05
6	Leaflets/Folders (Dahi)	05
7	Books Authored- Fundamentals of DM, Clean Milk Production, Edited - Quest for knowledge, Dahi and Related Products	06
8	Chapters in Books	35
9	Full Research Papers	93
10	Research Papers presented in conference/seminars/ symposia	145
11	Technical/Theme Papers presented in conference/seminars/ symposia	87
12	Technical Articles in conference/seminars/symposia	73
13	Review Articles	25
14	Technical/Popular Articles	78
15	News paper articles	13
	TOTAL	650

The faculty of DM Department is professionally affiliated to;Professional Affiliations:

Swedish South Asian Network on Fermented Foods (SASNET-FF)

International Dairy Federation, Indian National committee (IDF)
Indian Dairy Association (IDA)
Probiotic Association of India (PAI)
Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI)
Association of Food Scientists and Technologists India (AFST)
Alumni Association, Dairy Science College, Anand
Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA)
Gujarat Association for Agricultural Scientists (GAAS)
Biosensor Society of India
Dairy Technology Society of India (DTSI)

Present Faculty Position

Sr.No.	Name	Designation	Qualification
1	Dr. Sreeja V sreejamudgal@aau.in	Asst. Professor & Head	BSc (DT), MSc (DM), Ph D (DM)
2	Dr. Subrota Hati Subrota2012@aau.in	Asst. Professor	BTech(DT), MSc (DM), Ph D (DM)
3	Mr. Kunal M Gawai kunalgawai@aau.in	Asst. Professor	BTech(DT), MSc (DM)
4	Ms. Mital R Kathiriya mital@aau.in	Asst. Professor	BTech(DT), MSc (DM)