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Department of Nutrition and Dietetics
About the Department
Genesis
“Nutrition Is The Only Remedy, That Can Provide Full Recovery And It Can Be Used With Any Treatment. Remember, Food Is Our Best Medicine“
– Dr. Bernard Jensen

The Department of Nutrition and Dietetics was established in the year 2023. It offers a two- year M.Sc., Programme in Nutrition and Dietetics from the Academic year 2023 - 2024. Our work focuses on nurturing the students in solving the nutritional issues and setbacks faced by the community to create a society with fitness and finesse. The department makes a deep study of the following components: basic component of food, their nutrient chemistry and metabolism, technology of food processing and preservation, food safety, functional food, meal planning, quantity of food production and therapeutic dietary modifications with a focus on human health and well-being. Nutrition is the foundation of good health that is a vital component of national development. The department is making concerted efforts to achieve the national goal of “Healthy diet going affordable to all” through its continuous societal outreach activities in the rural areas serving the women and children, thereby realizing the vision of our esteemed organization. Since its inception, the department has directed its activities towards the development of the community by giving significance to the insights of the following sections of people like administrators, academicians, researchers, entrepreneurs and health conscious citizens.

Vision
  1. To enhance the quality of the national health status by means of nutrition and community service.
  2. To explore the unexplored avenues in the domain of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Mission
  1. To create awareness among the stakeholders on the enhancement of national health status.
  2. To make students stay abreast of latest developments in the domain of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Contact Us
head

  1. Dr. P. Rameshthangam

  2. Associate Professor & Head i/c
  3. Department of Nutrition and Dietetics
  4. Alagappa University, Karaikudi – 630003, Tamil Nadu, India.


  2. dnad@alagappauniversity.ac.in
  3. (+91) 04565-228088
  4. (+91) 04565-223326
Faculty
dean

Dr. P. Rameshthangam

Associate Professor &
Head i/c


Profile

director

Dr.L.Gomathirajashyamala

Teaching Assistant

Profile

director

Dr. P. Prabakaran

Teaching Assistant

Profile

director

Ms. R. Ramya

Teaching Assistant

Profile

Visiting Professor
Sl.No. Photo Name with Designation Area of Specialization Years of Academic Experience
1 Dr. Gopinath Packirisamy
Visiting Professor
(Professor, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee -247 667, Uttarakhand, India.)		 Food Nanotechnology and Biosensor 16 years
Faculty Credentials / Achievements
Sl.No. Name of the Faculty Name of the Award / Achievement / Recognition Awarding Body Year
1 Dr.P.Rameshthangam Best Researcher Award Scifax Company, Approved and Registered by Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Govt. of India. 2024
2 Promising Researcher Award Alagappa University 2022
3 Research Excellence of RSquareL Global Academicians & Research Network 2022
4 Karoly Ereky Teaching Excellence Award International Multidisciplinary Research Foundation 2022
5 Certificate of honour The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China 2021
6 Vallal Alagappar Research Recognition Award Alagappa University 2021
7 Fellow of Academy of Sciences The Academy of Sciences, Chennai 2018
8 INSA visiting scientist award Indian National Science Academy, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi. 2018
9 Har Gobind Khorana Best Young Scientist Award Tamilnadu Scientific Research Organization, Tamilnadu, India 2018
Programmes on Offer
Sl. No. Programme Level Name of the Programmes Action
1PGM.Sc. Nutrition and Dietetics
Value Added Courses
(in PG Programme)

558VAC01 - Food Product Development

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558VAC02 - Food Analysis and Instrumentation

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558VAC03 - Nutritional Psychology

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Fees Structure
S. No Name of the Programme Fees in INR (For Indian Nationals) for one year Mode of Study Duration (Years)
1 M.Sc., Nutrition and Dietetics I Year ₹.16,500 Full-Time 2 Years
II Year ₹ 15,500
Facilities
Experimental Lab Facilities
• Agarose Gel electrophoresis • Autoclave
• Biochemical - Semi Auto-Chemistry analyzer • Cooling Centrifuge (Remi)
• Food grade thermometer • Food weighing balance
• Freezer -20 • Heating Mandle
• Incubator cum shaker • Laminar air flow chamber
• Micro wave oven • Photo electric colorimeter
• Distillation unit • Soxhlet Apparatus
• pH meter • Ultrasonic cleaner
• Water bath • Muffle Furnace
• Moisture Analyzer
Nutrition Lab
Nutrition Lab
Incubator
Biochemistry Analyser
Hot Air Oven
Microwave Oven
Laminar Air Flow Chamber
Autoclave
Vortex Mixture
Waterbath
Cooling Centrifuge
Light Microscope
Microscope
Agarose Gel Electrophoresis
Centrifuge
Hot Plate
Orbital Shaker
Titration
Ultra Sonic Cleaner
Vertical Gel Electrophoresis
Waterbath
Muffle Furnace
Research
Major Research Areas
Functional foods & Nutrition Sports Nutrition
Prebiotics and Probiotics Food safety and Quality Assurance
Clinical nutrition Public Health Nutrition
Community nutrition Microbial Biotechnology
Food microbiology Nanobiotechnology
Research Funds from Various Agencies ( Ongoing Projects)
S. No Agency Period Project Title Budget (Rs. In lakhs)
From To
1 Entrepreneur in residence scheme under EIC Hub of RUSA 2.0 2023 2024 Microbial production of high purity prebiotic isomalto-oligosacharides 3.55
2 Theme Based Research Project – RUSA 2.0 (Phase II) 2023 2024 Development of anti-microbial synbiotics using potential prebiotic isomalto-oligosaccharides with probiotic bacteria 3.44
Research Funds from Various Agencies (Completed Projects *)
S. No Agency Period Project Title Budget (Rs. In lakhs)
From To
1 Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) 2.0 (Phase I) 2019 2020 Development of anti-microbial synbiotics using potential prebiotic isomalto-oligosaccharides with probiotic bacteria 3.00
2 UGC, Govt. of India 2011 2014 Molecular characterization, molecular docking studies and biocontrol effect of Vibrio bacteriophages from shrimp aquaculture environment (Co- PI) 8.50
3 Tamilnadu State Council for Science and Technology, Govt. of Tamilnadu 2009 2011 Antiviral activity of Chitin Nanoparticles against White Spot Syndrome Virus of Penaeus monodon Fabricius 9.89
4 UGC, Govt. of India 2011 2014 Antiviral activity of Chitin Nanoparticles against White Spot Syndrome Virus of Penaeus monodon Fabricius 9.89
5 Alagappa University Research Fund (AURF) 2009 2010 Exploring protein carbonylation as biomarker(s) in serum from subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (prediabetes) and patients with Type 2 diabetes 0.64

* I did the above projects at the Department of Biotechnology.

Research Collaborations
National Collaborations
Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee CSIR - Central Food Technological Research Institute – Mysuru
National Institute of Technology, Warangal National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management- Thanjavur
Britannia Industries, Pvt. Ltd, Bangalore Tata chemicals Ltd, Innovation centre, Andhra Pradesh.
University of Madras Bharathidasan University
SRM University Periyar University
Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Madras Diabetic Research Foundation (MDRF), Chennai
Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (DU), Chennai
International Collaborations
University of Reading, United Kingdom North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND, USA
University of Nebraska Medical Centre, Omaha, NE, USA Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
University of Athens, Athens, Greece University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Selected Research Publications
Sl.No Authors/Title of the paper/Journal Impact Factor
1 Rameshthangam Palanivel, Muthulakshmi Muthumanickam, Ambiga chinnathambi Sindhamani Subbiah (2025). GC/MS Analysis and Green-synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using Senna auriculata flower Extract: Antibacterial, Antioxidant Effects and Anticancer Effects. Microbial Pathogenesis. 199.107274 (Elsevier). 3.3
2 Saravanan, R., Rameshthangam, P. (2024). Purification, characterization of a novel α-glucosidase from Debaryomyces hansenii strain MCC 0202 and chromatographic separation for high purity isomalto-oligosaccharides production. Process Biochemistry, 136,109-118. [Elsevier, Netherlands] 3.7
3 Rameshthangam, P., Kumar, P., Muthulakshmi, M., Kumar, S.R. (2022). Anti-cancer and bactericidal activity of electrospun chitosan/poly (ethylene oxide)/papaya nanofibres, Applied Nanoscience, 13(9),6105-6113. [Springer, Switzerland]. 4.11
4 Subbulakshmi, A., Durgadevi, S., Anitha, S., Govarthanan, M., Biruntha, M., Rameshthangam, P., Kumar, P. (2022). Biogenic gold nanoparticles from Gelidiella acerosa: bactericidal and photocatalytic degradation of two commercial dyes, Applied Nanoscience, 13(6),4033-4042. [Springer, Switzerland]. 4.11
5 Arulkumar, A., Paramasivam, S., Rameshthangam, P., Paramithiotis, S. (2021). Detection of Biogenic Amines in Indian Fish and Fishery Products Consumed in Southeast Coast Region of India, Journal of Aquatic Food Product Technology, 30(1), 95-106. 2.0
6 Saravanan, R., Rameshthangam, P. (2020). High purity prebiotic isomalto-oligosaccharides production by cell associated transglucosidase of isolated strain Debaryomyces hansenii SCY204 and selective fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae SYI065, Process Biochemistry, 98, 93-105. [Elsevier, Netherlands] (IF-, Citation: 3). 3.7
7 Solairaj, D., Rameshthangam, P., Suryanarayanan, V., Singh, S. K., Sri Ramkumar, V. (2018). In vitro and in silico studies of chitin and chitosan based nanocarriers for curcumin and insulin delivery, Journal of Polymers and the Environment. [Springer, United States] 26(10): 4095-4113. 4.7
8 Rameshthangam, P., Chitra, J.P. (2018). Synergistic anticancer effect of green synthesized nickel nanoparticles and quercetin extracted from Ocimum sanctum leaf extract, Journal of Materials Science & Technology, 34, 508–522. [Elsevier, Netherlands] 11.2
9 Chitra, J., Rameshthangam, P., Usha,B. (2017). Green synthesized nickel nanoparticles for targeted detection and killing of S. typhimurium, Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 174, 58–69. [Elsevier, Netherlands]. 3.9
10 Solairaj, D., Rameshthangam, P., Arunachalam, G. (2017). Anticancer activity of silver and copper embedded chitin nanocomposites against human breast cancer (MCF-7) cells, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 105, 608–619. 7.7
11 Solairaj, D., Rameshthangam, P., Muthukumaran, P., J. Wilson. (2017). Studies on electrochemical glucose sensing, antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of fabricated copper nanoparticle immobilized chitin nanostructure, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. 101:668-679. [Elsevier, Netherlands] 7.7
12 Solairaj, D., Rameshthangam, P. (2017). Silver nanoparticle embedded α-chitin nanocomposite for enhanced antimicrobial and mosquito larvicidal activity, Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 25(2): 435–452. [Springer, United States] 4.7
13 Chitra, J., Rameshthangam, P. (2016). Application of L-arginine functionalized green synthesized nickel nanoparticles as gene transfer vector and catalyst, Journal of Experimental Nanoscience, 1193-1212. [Taylor & Francis, United Kingdom]. 2.6
14 Solairaj, D., Rameshthangam, P., Srinivasan, P. (2016). Adsorption of Methylene Blue, Bromophenol Blue and Coomassie Brilliant Blue by α-chitin nanoparticles, Journal of Advanced Research, 7(1):113–124. [Elsevier, Netherlands]. 11.4
15 Chitra, J., Rameshthangam, P., Solairah, D. (2015). Green synthesis of nickel nanoparticles using Ocimum sanctum and their application in dye and pollutant adsorption, Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 23, 1307–1315. [Elsevier, Netherlands]. 3.7
16 Arulkumar, A., Satheesh kumar,K., Paramasivam, S., Rameshthangam, P., Miranda, M. (2020). Chemical Biopreservative Effects of Red Seaweed on the Shelf Life of Black Tiger Shrimp (Penaeus monodon), Journal of Foods, 9 (5), 634. [MDPI]. 4.7
17 Rekha, K., Mohan Kumar, R., Rameshthangam, P., Usha, B. (2019). Impact of Pseudomonas putida RRF3 on the root transcriptome of rice plants: defense response, secondary metabolism, and root exudation, Journal of Biosciences, 44:98. [Springer, United States]. 2.1
18 Arulkumar, A., Paramasivam, S., Rameshthangam, P., Paramithiotis, S. (2019). Evaluation of psychrophilic, mesophilic, histamine forming bacteria and biogenic amine content in the muscle of mud spiny lobster, Panulirus polyphagus (HERBST, 1793) during ice storage, Journal of Food Safety, 39(1): e12582. [Wiley publisher, United States]. 1.9
19 Arulkumar, A., Paramasivam, S., Rameshthangam, P., Rabie, M.A. (2017). Changes on biogenic, volatile amines and microbial quality of the blue swimmer crab (Portunus pelagicus) muscle during storage, Journal of Food Science and Technology. 54 (8), 2503-2511. [Wiley publisher, United States]. 2.9
20 Arulkumar, A., Balamurugan, A., Paramasivam, S., Rameshthangam, P., Paramithiotis, S. (2017). Physicochemical and microbiological changes during drying of Wolf Herring (Chirocentrus dorab) and Coastal Trevally (Carangoides coeruleopinnatus), Journal of Aquatic Food Product Technology. 26:8, 929-939. [Taylor & Francis, United Kingdom]. 1.9
21 Arulkumar, A., Paramasivam, S., Rameshthangam, P. (2017). Effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa) on shelf life extension and biogenic amine control of cuttlefish (Sepia brevimana) during chilled storage, CyTA - Journal of Food, [Taylor & Francis, United Kingdom]. 2.0
22 Muthukumaran, P., Raju,C., Sumathi, C., Ravi, S., Solairaj, D., Rameshthangam, P., Wilson, J., Alwarappan, S., Rajendran, S. (2016). Cerium doped nickel-oxide nanostructures for riboflavin biosensing and antibacterial applications, New Journal of Chemistry, 40:2741-2748. [Royal Society of Chemistry, United Kingdom]. 2.7
23 >Rameshthangam,P., Solairaj, D., Gnanapragasam, A., Ramasamy, P. (2018). Chitin and Chitinases: Biomedical and environmental applications of chitin and its derivatives,Journal of Enzymes. 1(1):20-43. [Open access pub.org, United States]. 5.9
24 Arulkumar, A., Paramasivam S., Rameshthangam, P. (2017). Changes on biogenic, volatile amines and microbial quality of the blue swimmer crab (Portunus pelagicus) muscle during storage, Journal of Food Science and Technology. [Springer, United States]. 3.7
25 Chitra, J, Rameshthangam,P., Solairaj, D. (2016). Screening antimicrobial activity of nickel nanoparticles synthesized using Ocimum sanctum leaf extract, Journal of Nanoparticles, 13 Pages. [Hindawi, Egypt]. 2.2
Books Published
Sl.No Title Year Authors Publisher ISBN
1 Nanoengineered antimicrobial coatings: Action mechanisms and biomedical applications 2023 P. Rameshthangam, D. Solairaj & S.Ganeshkumar LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing Dodo books Indian Ocean Ltd and OmniScriptum S.R.L publishing group, Republic of Moldova 978-620-6-15141-8
2 Green Synthesis and applications of nickel nanoparticles 2019 J. Chitra & P. Rameshthangam J. Chitra & P. Rameshthangam 978-3-659-25466-6
3 Pathogenesis and novel herbal drug for White Spot Syndrome Virus 2011 P. Rameshthangam & P. Ramasamy LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing GmbH & Co. KG, Saarbrucken, Deutschland 978-3-8473-1273-4
4 A basic laboratory manual for Biochemistry 2017 P.Rameshthangam, D. Solairaj & J.P. Chitra LAP LAMBERT Academic Publishing GmbH & Co. KG, Saarbrucken, Deutschland 978-3-330-03250-7
Books Chapter Published
Sl.No Title Year Authors Publisher ISBN
1 Properties and Applications of Chitosan Based Nanocomposites in “Marine Polysaccharides- Advances and Multifaceted Applications” 2019 P.Rameshthangam, Solairaj, D., Chitra J. Pan Stanford Publishing Pte. Ltd, Singapore 978-981-4800-49-5
MoU's
Ongoing
S. No. International / National Period
1 Department Of Nutrition And Dietetics, Alagappa University, Karaikudi And The National Institute Of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship And Management, Thanjavur (Niftem-T), Tamilnad 2024-2029
Alumni

Since it is a newly started department, Alumni association has not yet been established.

Student Council

The Student Council in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Alagappa University is the formal representative body for all students in Nutrition and Dietetics, dedicated to addressing challenges and improving student welfare. It serves as a vital link between students and the university administration, actively engaging in tasks to enhance the overall student experience. The council identifies and resolves issues, facilitates communication, and promotes student participation in departmental activities. The Student Council also contributes to the development of educational initiatives, acknowledging student contributions and providing recommendations for enhancing student life. Individual members, including the President and Vice Presidents, have specific responsibilities related to leadership, coordination, feedback collection, event planning, support for entrepreneurial endeavours, promotion of physical fitness, and participation in corporate social responsibility initiatives. Student councils are integral to the academy of Nutrition and Dietetics as they represent the future of the dietetics profession. The council's dedicated efforts aim to ensure the holistic development and well-being of students in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Alagappa University.

Academic Year : 2024-2025
S.No Passport size Photograph Name of the Representative Class/year Position E.mail. ID
1 P.Vishnukanth II President vishnupraba221@gmail.com
2 K. Vasunthara sri I Vice-President vasuntharasri451@gmail.com
3 G. Biruntha II Secretary birunthakeerthi@gmail.com
4 K.Abinaya II Joint Secretary abinaya16012003@gmail.com
5 M. Kokila II Joint Secretary mkokila992@gmail.com
6 K. Azhagurani II Joint Secretary alagurani2001kalidass@gmail.com
7 K. Mohanasri II Joint Secretary mohanasri0303@gmail.com
8 G.Kalaikannan I Joint Secretary kalaikannan3811@gmail.com
9 K.Meenatchi I Joint Secretary meenatchikalimuthu@gmail.com
10 A.R. Reena II EC Member reenaar843@gmail.com
11 R. Kalpana II EC Member kalpanaramaraj2003@gmail.com
12 R. Ramya II EC Member ramyaramachandran2003@gmail.com
13 V. Abirami II EC Member vabee06@gmail.com
14 S. Sanjana II EC Member sanjanasivayogam@gmail.com
15 S. Pavithra II EC Member pavithrasuresh211@gmail.com
16 R. Sowmeya I EC Member sowmeyaramesh11@gmail.com
17 M. Mohanadevi I EC Member mohanadevimoorthi@gmail.com
18 Nikhila Thanki I EC Member nikhilathanki287@gmail.com
Placement

The first batch students will complete their M.Sc., Nutrition and Dietetics in April 2025. After that, earnest endeavours will be made for their employment and jobs by conducting campus interview.

Events & Extension Activities



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