Current Position: Assistant Professor, DOS in Biotechnology
Qualification: M.Sc., M. Phil ., Ph. D
Teaching Experience: 18 years
Courses offered: Fundamentals of Biochemistry, Molecular diagnostics, Immunology, Molecular plant pathology, Bioprocess technology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Genetics, Animal Biotechnology.
Current research interests: With a comprehensive background in phytochemistry, enzyme kinetics and nutrigenomics, my expertise lies at the intersection of biochemistry and nutrition. In the realm of phytochemistry, I have a profound understanding of plant-derived compounds and their biological activities. This includes the identification and isolation of bioactive molecules from various botanical sources, elucidating their chemical structures, and exploring their potential health benefits.
In the field of enzyme kinetics, I possess in-depth knowledge of enzymatic reactions and the factors influencing their rates. My expertise extends to studying enzyme-substrate interactions, enzyme inhibition, and the modulation of enzymatic activity for therapeutic applications. I excel in designing experiments to characterize enzyme kinetics, employing state-of-the-art techniques to unravel the intricacies of biochemical reactions.
Furthermore, my proficiency in nutrigenomics enables me to investigate the interplay between dietary components and the expression of genes, unraveling the molecular mechanisms underlying the impact of nutrition on health.
I am adept at utilizing genomic information to personalize nutritional recommendations, considering individual genetic variations. Overall, my interdisciplinary expertise in phytochemistry, enzyme kinetics, and nutrigenomics positions me as a adaptable professional capable of contributing to advancements in lifesciences, nutrition, and personalized medicine.
Doctoral Research: When intake exceeds expenditure, a chronic energy imbalance poses perhaps the biggest risk to future health. This energy imbalance raises the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), chronic renal disease, and several malignancies. Increases in AMP/ADP in comparison to ATP cause AMPK to become active in response to modifications in intracellular adenine nucleotide levels. The rate of anabolic (ATP-using) pathways falls and the rate of catabolic (ATP-generating) pathways rises when AMPK is activated. Apart from its function to preserve intracellular energy equilibrium, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as a central regulator of energy homeostasis, AMPK activation is beneficial for both the prevention and treatment of a wide variety of chronic diseases. Fruits and vegetables are often rich in flavonoids, and eating a diet high in flavonoids is thought to protect against metabolic disorders, the doctoral research conducted by me was to check the efficacy of the seed and peel extracts of Persea americana to be activator of AMPK , the finding suggested that flavonoids, in particular quercetin and its glycosides stimulated the phosphorylation of AMPK.
Research Experience: 17 years
Publications:
No. of publications: 17
No. of Papers presented in National/International symposia/conference: 16
Achievements/Awards:
• UGC sponsored Minor research project on “Alpha amylase inhibitory activities of Persea americana”.
• NAIN-GOK sponsored project on “Tiny microbes with big impact: Value added Neutraceutical products from Cyanobacteria”.
• NAIN-GOK sponsored shortlisted project on ”AGBEE”-Biodegradable bottles .
• Awarded “SeedMoneyforResearch”fundedbyMahajana ResearchFoundation “Evaluating the efficacy of Annona muricata peel pytoconstitutents in synergy with methotrexate to induce apoptosisin MCF- 7 Human Breast Cancer cell line”.
Membership in Professional Bodies: Association of Microbiologists of India & Society of biological chemist, Protein Foods & Nutrition Development, Association of India (PFNDAI).

Publications:

1. Smitha Grace S.R.,Jyoti Bala Chauhan. (2023).Lectins from peel and seed extracts of Persea americana with anti- neoplastic activity.Journal of Fundamental & Comparative Research.Vol. IX, Issue-II, Book No.08, July – December: 2023. IF : 6.1
2. Jyoti Bala Chauhan.,Smitha Grace S.R.(2023).Biochemical characterization of peroxidase from the seed & peel extracts of Persea americana.Shodhasamhita : Journal of Fundamental & Comparative Research.Vol. IX, Issue-II, Book No.08, July – December: 2023. IF : 6.1
3. Smitha Grace S.R, Geetha N.T.(2022), Investigation on antioxidant and cytoprotective properties of Biogenic nanoparticles of Annona muricata peel, Shodhasamhita: Journal of Fundamental & Comparative Research,Vol.VIII, Issue-II, No.12 ,120-128.IF : 6.1
4. Smitha Grace S.R., Manasa H.Y., Jyoti Bala Chauhan. (2022),Evaluation of Antiurolithiatic Activity of Methanolic Seed Extracts of Persea americana Against Calcium OxalateInduced Urolithiasis in Rats.Journal of Pharmaceutical Negative Results Volume 13 Special Issue 5, DOI:10.47750/pnr.2022.13.S05.101.IF : 0.234
5. Smitha Grace S.R , Vishnu M.V , Chaithra Ratnakar ; Jyoti Bala Chauhan (2022), In vitro antiurolithiatic activity of methanolic peel extracts of Persea americana Shodasamhitha: Journal of Fundamental & Comparative Research Vol. VIII, Issue-II, No.11, IF : 6.1
6. Smitha Grace S.R., Apoorva Jain,.Jyoti Bala Chauhan.(2021), In-vivo Antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of Persea americana on CCl4 induced toxicity in rats, Journal of Xidian University, 14: 828-833.IF : 5.4
7. Smitha Grace S.R.,Vishnu M.V,, Chaithra Ratnakar & Jyoti Bala Chauhan. (2020).Assessment of anti-urolithiatic activity of methanolic peel extracts of Persea americana against calcium oxalate induced urolithiasis in rats, Journal of Xidian University, 14:606-614.IF : 5.4
8. Smitha Grace S.R., Amruthavarshini., Nagashree A R., Chaithra Ratnakar., and Jyoti Bala Chauhan,(2020). “A preliminary evaluation of antioxidant from flowers of Strongylodon macrobotrys” Journal of Xidian University Volume 14, issue 6,515-520https://doi.org/10.37896/jxu14.6/060IF: 5.4
9. Smitha Grace S.R., Nagashree A R ., Amruthavarshini ., Chaithra Ratnakar, and Jyoti Bala Chauhan.(2019)Phytochemical screening and Antioxidant analysis of flavonoids from flowers of Duranta repens, JETIR May 2019, Volume 6, Issue 5, 469-473.http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1905Q66.pdfIF: 5.87
10. Smitha Grace S.R., Girish Chandran & Jyoti Bala Chauhan.(2018) Anti-hyperlipidemic activity of Persea americana peel extracts against high fat diet in rats IJCRT |Volume 6, Issue 2 April 2018,1484-1488http://ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT1813289.pdfIF: 7.97
11. Smitha Grace S.R., Jyoti Bala Chauhan and Hemanth Kumar. K(2017) In Vitro Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Arthritic Activity in Methanolic Peel Extracts Of Persea americana,wjpls,Vol. 3, Issue 4, 195199.http://wjpls.org/home/article_abstract/511IF: 6.29
12. Smitha Grace S.R,, Jyoti Bala Chauhan and Chaithra Ratnakar Jain.(2016). In Vitro Alpha Amylase Inhibitory Effect And Antioxidant Activity By Peel And Seed Extracts of Persea americana , World journal of pharmaceutical and Life science Vol. 2, Issue 3, 261-269.https://www.wjpls.org/home/article_abstract/163IF: 6.29
13. Smitha Grace S. R., Jyoti Bala Chauhan and Chaithra Ratnakar Jain.(2015) Preliminary phytochemical investigation and TLC analysis of peel and seed extracts of Persea americana ,Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Science & Technology, Vol 5,Issue 3,167-171.http://www.ajpst.com/File_Folder/167-171(ajpst).pdfIF: 0.3
14. Wethroe Kapfo., R. Smitha Grace., Dr. Jyoti Bala Chauhan and Jaykant Yadav.(2013)Effect of non-aqueons solvent on structural stability of “α-Amylase : A cost effective prospective for protein stabalizations”, Process Biochemistry, May 2013.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.procbio.2013.05.006IF: 2.952
15. Jaykant Yadav, Jyoti Bala Chauhan,Smitha Grace, S.R ,Vinay (2010) Effect of Monosodium glutamate on alpha amylase activity. Biochemistry, an Indian Journal. Volume 4(2).https://www.tsijournals.com/abstract/effect-of-monosodium-glutamate-msg-onalphaamylase-activity-1067.htmlIF: 0.11

BOOK CHAPTER :

1. Smitha Grace S.R., Girish Chandran, Jyoti Bala Chauhan, (2019) Terpenoids: An Activator of “Fuel-Sensing Enzyme AMPK” with Special Emphasis on Antidiabetic Activity. In: Ozturk M., Hakeem K. (eds) Plant and Human Health, Volume 2. Springer International.pp 227-244, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03344-69.
2. Girish Chandran.,Smitha Grace S.R., Jyoti Bala Chauhan. (2019) Fern to Pharma: Potential Neuroameliorative Properties of Pteridophytes. In: Ozturk M., Hakeem K. (Eds) Plant and Human Health, Volume 3,pp 195-208| Springer International.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-04408-4_9

RESEARCH PAPERS PRESENTED IN NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIA

1. Smitha Grace S. R,, Amruthavarshini & Jyoti Bala Chauhan.(2019). Anthrocyanins: The Smart Molecules from Strongylodon macrobotrys with anticancer potential in 12th women science congress held in SBRRMFGC-PG wing,Mysuru,karnataka, India.
2. Likitha M.S, Pooja, A, Priya Beedimath , Smitha Grace S. R,, &Jyoti Bala Chauhan(2019). Tiny microbial factories as “NUTRACULTURE” for cancer, National conference on Recent Trends in Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology (RTBEB 2019),KLE technological Univeristy ,Vidya Nagar, Hubballi, Karnataka.
3. Apoorva S.Jain, Seema .P. Deshpande, Smitha Grace S. R,, Girish Chandran , Jyoti Bala Chauhan(2018).Persea americana in augmenting antioxidant enzyme activity Karnataka Science and Technology Academy, 10th Annual Conference on Science and Technology for Future of Humanity , Reva University, Bengaluru . Karnataka..
4. Apoorva.S. Jain , Jyoti Bala Chauhan, Smitha Grace S. R.(2018),Astrocytes as a target of transcranial direct current Stimulation n(tDCS )to treat depression , National conference on “Advances in Biotechnology-NCAB ,Tumkur, Karnataka.
5. Vishnu M.V, Jyoti Bala Chauhan, Smitha Grace S. R.(2018).Protective effects of Persea americana for urinary tract infirmity, National conference on “Advances in Biotechnology-NCAB,Tumkur, Karnataka.
6. Aishwarya Banakar ,Jyoti Bala Chauhan, Smitha Grace S. R.(2017).In Vitro Anti-Arthritic Activity of Persea americana peel extract. A Two Day National conference on “Scientific Advancemnet for Sustainable Development” organized by the Dept of Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Microbiology, SDM MMK MMV in association with Global Association of Scientific Young Minds. http://www.ijpbs.net/conference_.page.php
7. Aishwarya Kodolli, Jyoti Bala Chauhan, Smitha Grace S. R.(2017) Biodegradation of aflatoxin by peroxidase enzyme isolated from Persea americana. A Two Day National conference on “Scientific Advancemnet for Sustainable Development” organized by the Dept of Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Microbiology, SDM MMK MMV in association with Global Association of Scientific Young Minds. http://www.ijpbs.net/conference_page.php
8. Amrita Kambli, Jyoti Bala Chauhan Smitha Grace S. R.(2017) ,Saponins as Immunomodulatory agents A Two Day National conference on “Scientific Advancemnet for Sustainable Development” organized by the Dept of Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Microbiology, SDM MMK MMV in association with Global Association of Scientific Young Minds http://www.ijpbs.net/conference_page.php
9. Roja J, Jyoti Bala Chauhan Smitha Grace S. R..(2017)Isolation and Characterization of Lectins from Persea americana, A Two Day National conference on “Scientific Advancemnet for Sustainable Development” organized by the Dept of Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Microbiology, SDM MMK MMV in association with Global Association of Scientific Young Minds on 22- 23/02/2017.http://www.ijpbs.net/conference_page.php
10. Seema P.Deshpande, Jyoti Bala Chauhan, Smitha Grace S. R.(2017).DNA damaging inhibition activity of Persea americana, A Two Day National conference on “Scientific Advancemnet for Sustainable Development” organized by the Dept of Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Microbiology, SDM MMK MMV in association with Global Association of Scientific Young Minds http://www.ijpbs.net/conference_page.php
11. Manasa H.Y, Jyoti Bala Chauhan , Smitha Grace S. R.(2017) Protective effects of Persea americana against urinary tract infirmity A Two Day National conference on “Scientific Advancemnet for Sustainable Development” organized by the Dept of Biotechnology, Biochemistry and Microbiology, SDM MMK MMV in association with Global Association of Scientific Young Minds on 22- 23/02/2017.http://www.ijpbs.net/conference_page.php
12. Smitha Grace S. R., Jyoti Bala Chauhan.(2017). Anti-hyperlipidemi activity of Persea americana peel extracts against high-fat diet in rats 7th Indo-Euro International Conference on Holistic Medicine at Kottayam , Mahatma Gandhi university, Kerala, India.(1stPrize)
13. Veda V. Hegde, Smitha Grace S. R,, Jyoti Bala Chauhan, Girish Chandran, (2017). Scope of novel phytoconstituents as anti-analgesic and anti -depressant strategies against chronic rat model. 7th Indo-Euro International Conference on Holistic Medicine at Kottayam, Mahatma Gandhi university, Kerala, India(1stPrize)
14. Pavan LN, Smitha Grace S. R,, Girish Chandran & Jyoti Bala Chauhan , (2017). Chemotherapeutic potential of Prosapogenin A, a promoter of metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells.7th Indo-Euro International Conference on Holistic Medicine at Kottayam Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India.
15. Smitha Grace S. R,, Meenakshi Iyer & Jyoti Bala Chauhan., (2017). In vitro anti – inflammatory potential of proanthrocynandins from seeds of Persea Americana. Presented in the national conference on challenges and opportunities for research and health care professionals in management of metabolic disorders,Mysuru,Karnataka
16. Rajath .S. Shankar, Smitha Grace S. R, &Jyoti Bala Chauhan.(2017).Persea americana : A novel protagonist in periodontal healing, 1st Lifescience research symposium ,UOM, Mysuru,Karnataka