Thavar Vasanthan

Biography

Degree Ph.D in Food Science, 1989-1994 Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada M.Sc in Food Technology, 1986-1988 University of Reading, United Kingdom B.Sc in Agriculture - Food Science and Technology Major, 1982-1986 University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka Job/Research Area: Grain Processing Science and Technology (Starch, dietary fiber/beta-glucan, etc)

Research Interest

My research focuses on value-added processing of grains (cereal and pulse grains) and tubers with an emphasis on fractionation, characterization and utilization of carbohydrates, especially starch and mixed linkage beta-glucans. Studies have included milling and air-classification of cereal grains; evaluation of physicochemical properties of prime and small granule cereal and pulse starches; oats and barley beta-glucan extraction, characterization and food applications; starch digestibility profiling (RS, SDS and RDS) and low glycemic food formulation strategies; pilot scale technical and economic feasibility studies on oat/barley starch, beta-glucan and protein refining. I have been serving as a consultant to grain, starch, fiber and food processing industries and assisted them in chemical analysis, new product development, by-product utilization and preparation of industrial research grant applications