Thava Vasanthan
Contact
Professor, Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sci - Ag, Food & Nutri Sci Dept
- tv3@ualberta.ca
- Phone
- (780) 492-2898
- Address
-
3-18H Agriculture/Forestry Centre
9011 116 St NWEdmonton ABT6G 2P5
Overview
About
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
Major Responsibilities/Research Interests
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
Courses
AFNS 507 - Science and Technology of Cereal and Oilseed Processing
Biological, biochemical, chemical, and technological aspects of the processing of cereals and oilseeds. Not to be taken if credit received for NU FS 406. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.
AFNS 598 - Integrative Project in Food Safety and Quality
A team-based capstone course exploring broad areas of food safety and quality. Students will work in groups with mentors on a project involving experiential learning and skill development related to the field. Restricted to students in the MSc Specializations Food Safety and Quality and Meat Quality that have completed 20 units of the program requirements. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
NU FS 374 - Food Fundamentals and Quality
Chemical, physical, and sensory properties of food products and factors affecting food quality in relation to preparation, processing, and storage of foods in the home and institution. Pre or corequisite: NU FS 372 or 373.
NU FS 400 - Undergraduate Reading Project
Individual study. Critical reviews of selected literature under the direction of a staff member. Note: For third- and fourth-year students only. Students must obtain approval from Department before registration. May be taken more than once provided topic is different.
NU FS 406 - Science and Technology of Cereal and Oilseed Processing
Biological, biochemical, chemical, and technological aspects of the processing of cereals and oilseeds. Prerequisite: 3 units in introductory Biochemistry or Biological Science, or NU FS 374.
Featured Publications
Naguleswaran, S., Li, J., Vasanthan, T., Bressler, D. and Hoover, R.
Carbohydrate Polymers. 2012 January; 88
Li, J., Vasanthan, T. and Bressler, D.C.
Carbohydrate Polymers. 2012 January; 87
Li, J., Vasanthan, T., Bressler, D. C.
Carbohydrate Polymers. 2011 January; 83
Kandil, A., Li, J., Vasanthan, T., Bressler, D.C., and Tyler, R.T.
Food Research International. 2011 January; 44
Naguleswaran, S., Li, J., Vasanthan, T., Bressler, D.
Cereal Chemistry. 2011 January; (88):87-94
Srichamroen, A., Vasanthan, T., Acharya, S.N., Basu, T.K.
Current Nutrition and Food Science. 2011 January; 7
Moriartey, S, Temelli, F, and Vasanthan, T.
J Food Science. 2011 January; 76
Hooda, S, Metzler-Zebeli, B U, Vasanthan, T. and Zijlstra, R T.
British Journal of Nutrition. 2011 January; 106
Varatharajan, V., Hoover, R., Li, J., Vasanthan, T., Nantanga, K.K.M., Seetharaman, K., Liu, Q., Donner, E., Jaiswal, S., Chibbar, R.N.
Food Research International. 2011 January; 44
Moriartey, S., Temelli, F., Vasanthan, T., and Ganzle, M.
Cereal Chemistry. 2011 January; 88