Biotechnology

Biography

Dr. Ara Kanekanian gained his PhD from Reading University – UK in 1983. He has been in academia for over 25 years with main interest in protein chemistry and fermentation technology, including probiotics and factors affecting their growth and survival in dairy products. He has also been working in the food industry and undertook several consultancy and turnkey projects for food and dairy processing within Europe and the Middle East. He is a member of the publication committee of the International Journal of Dairy Technology and other scientific journals and has published several scientific and technical papers. His research activities include the development of hypoallergenic milk and dairy products, immune modulation and colostrum, micro- and nano-encapsulation of nutraceuticals. Currently, he has been participating in several European projects regarding bioactive compounds in food for their health benefits as antioxidants, antihypercholesterolemic, antihypertensive and anticarcinogenic agents. Research interest also covers the isolation and purification of α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin and casinoglycomacropeptide from whey using ion-exchange for their use in baby milk formulation, improve certain functional properties of food systems and reduce dental erosion. Research collaboration has been successful which included partnership with other departments within the university such as Biomedical Sciences covering research on anti-inflammatory effects of bioactive components as well as wound healing using honey and other plant based ingredients. Outside the university, the collaboration included national and international institutions in research partnership with the School of Medicine, School Dentistry and the Department of Bioengineering Systems. He has been invited to many international conferences and presented his latest research findings. He has edited a book titled “Milk and Dairy Products as Functional Foods” commissioned by the Society of Dairy Technology – UK published by Wiley-Blackwell in 2014.

Research Interest

Probiotics & Prebiotics,Protein chemistry & enzymology, Product development; Membrane technology