Starch structure and functionality, starch modification, resistant starch, grain science and technology, applications of rice starch, bioactive compounds in cereals and legumes

Academic Awards & Scholarships

President's award for scientific publications (2011, 2013, 2016, 2017), National Research Council, Sri Lanka

NRC merit award for scientific publications (2010, 2015), National Research Council, Sri Lanka

Endeavour Research Fellowship (2018) RMIT University, Australia

Visiting Scholar (2018). SJTU University, Shanghai China.

SUSRED, award (2018), NSF, Sri Lanka

Commonwealth academic fellowship (2014), Glyndwr University, UK

Outsanding researcher (2013), Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka in recongnition of the research exellence in the field of Food Science and Technology

University award  (2013) for the patent research work carried out for the innovative finding of Walligama coconut wilt disease, Sri Lanka.

University award for the highest number of citation counted for year 2013  in the feild of Food Science and Technology

Best university researcher (2011), Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka

Research Assistantship (2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016), to conduct collaborative research between Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka and The university of Hong Kong, The university of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong

Studentship (2004-2006)  to read doctoral studies, The university of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road Hong Kong

Winner of the George F. Stewart international research paper compitition IFT annual meeting (2001), New Orleans Louisiana, USA

"Fellow of the School of Graduate Studies" (2000-2001),  in recongnition of the continued academic excellence, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Canada

"Barrowman Biochemistry Travel Award" (2000-2001), in recongnition of outstanding achievement and pursuit of exellence by a Memorial university student at the graduate level, School of graduate, Memorial university of Newfoundland, Canada

Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=-PLA8PcAAAAJ&hl=en

Yang, Q.Q., Ge, Y.Y., Gunaratne, A. et al. (2020). Phenolic profiles, antioxidant activities and antiploriferatvie activities of different mung bean (Vigna radiata) from Sri Lanka. Food Bioscience 10075.

Gunaratne, A., Wu, K., Gan, R., et al. (2020). Physicochemical properties and glycemic index of six high amylose rice varties from Sri Lanka. International Journal of Food Sceince and Technology. 55: 74-81

Yang, QQ Cheng L, Long, ZY Li HB, Gunaratne, A., et al. (2019) Comparison of the Phenolic Profiles of Soaked and Germinated Peanut Cultivars via UPLC-QTOF-MS. Antioxidants, 8: 47

Gunaratne, A., Gan, R., Wu, K., Kong, X., Collado, L., et al. (2018) Physicochemical properties of mung bean starches isolated from four varieties grown in Sri Lanka- Starch‐Stärke,70: 1700129.

Wu, K., Gunaratne, A., Gan, R., Bao, J., Corke, H., and Jiang, F. (2018) Relationships Between Cooking Properties and Physicochemical Properties in Brown and White Rice. Starch‐Stärke, 70: 1700167.

Gan, R.Y., Li., H.B., Gunaratne, A., Sui, Z.Q., and Corke, H. (2017) Effects of fermented edible seeds and their products on Human health: Bioactive components and bioactivities. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety. 16 (30): 489-531.

Gunaratne, A., Wu, K., Collado, L., Gan, R.Y., Arachhchi, L.V., Kumara, K., Pathirana, S.M., and Corke, H. (2016) Physichochemical and functional properties of Caryota urens flour as compared to wheat flour. International Journal of Food Science and Technology. 51 (12): 2647-2653.

Wu, K., Lucas, P.W., Gunaratne, A., Collado, L.S., Corke, H., Almusllam, A.S., and Thai, L.A., (2016). Identation as apotential mechanical test for textural noodle quality. Journal of Food Engineering, 177: 42-49.

Kananke, T.C., Wansapala, J., and Gunaratne, A. (2016) Detection of heavy metal Ni, Cd and Cu in green leafy vegetables collected from in and around Colombo District, Sri Lanka. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. 188 (3) 1-12.

Wu, K., Gunaratne, A., Collado, L.S., and Corke, H. (2015). Adhesion, cohesion and friction estimated from combining cutting and peeling test results for thin noodle sheets. Journal of Food Science. 80 (2): E370-E376. 

 Kananke, T.C., Wansapala, J., and Gunaratne A. (2015) Pb and Cr contaminations of irrigation water, soils and green leafy vegetables collected from different areas of Colombo District Sri Lanka. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition. 14 (9): 593-

Kananke, T.C., Wansapala, J., and Gunaratne, A. (2015) Effect of heavy processing methods on heavy metal concentrations in commonly consumed green leafy vegetables available in Sri Lankan  makets. Pakistan Journal of Nutrion 14 (12): 1026-1033.

Seananayake, S., Ranaweera, K.K.D.S., and Bamunuarachchi, A., and Gunaratne, A. (2014) Comparative analysis of typsin inhibitor levels in sweet potato cultivars in Sri Lanka. Journal of the National Foundation of Sri Lanka. 42 (1) 63-69.

Munasinghe, J.,  De Silva, A., Weerasinghe, G., Gunaratne, A., and Corke, H. (2014) Food Safety in Sri Lanka: problems and solutions. Quality Assurance and s Safety of Crops &Foods 7 (1): 37-44.

Senanayake, S., Gunaratne, A., Ranaweera, K.K.D.S., and Bamunuarachchi, A. (2014). Effect of heat-moisture treatment on digetibility of different cultivars of sweet potato (Ipomea batatus (L.) Lam ) starch. Food &Nutrition 2 (4): 398-402

Gunaratne, A., Wu, K., Li, D., Bentota, A., Corke, H., and Cai, Y.Z. (2013) Antioxidnat activity and nutritional quality of traditional red-grained rice varieties containing proanthocyanidins. Food Chemistry 138 (2): 1153-1161.

Gunaratne, A., Kao, W., Ratnayake, J.,Collado, L., and Corke, H. (2013). Effect of parboiling on the formation of resistant starch and rice flour from different varieties grown in Sri Lanka. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture 93 (11): 2723-2729.

Rupasinghe, W., Yalegama, C., Vidanaarachchi, L.P., and Gunaratne, A. (2013). Characterization of coconut oil in different varieties in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agriculture (Trinidad) 90 (4): 205-216.

Senanayake, S., Gunaratne, A., Ranaweera, K., and Bamunuarachchi, A.,  (2013). Physichochemical properties of five cultivars of seet potato (Ipomea batatas Lam) roots grown  in Sri Lanka. Tropical Agriculture 90 (1): 96-110.

Gunaratne, A., Sirisena, N., Ratnayake, U.K., Ratnayake, J.,  Kong, X., Vidanaarachchi, L., and Corke, H. (2011). Effect of fertilzer on functional properties of  flour from four rice varieties grown in Sri Lanka. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. 91 (7): 1271-1276.

Gunaratne, A., Ratnayake, J., Sirisena, N., Ratnayake, J., Kong, X., Vidanaarachchi, L., and Corke, H. (2011). Effect of soil moisture stress from flowering to grain maturity on functional properties of Sri Lankan rice flour. Starch/Starke 63 (5): 283-290.

Gunaratne, A., Bentota, A., Cai, Y.Z., Collado, L., and Corke, H. (2011) Functional, digestibility and antioxidant properties of brown and polised rice flour from traditional and new-improved grown in Sri Lanka. Starch/Starke 63 (8): 485-492.

Gunaratne, A., Kong, X., and Corke, H,. (2010) Functional properties  and retrogradation of heat-moisture treated wheat and potato starches in the presence of hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin. Starch/Starke 62 (2): 69-77.

Gunaratne, A., and Corke, H. (2008) Effect of hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin on physical properties and transition parameters of amylose-lipid complexes of native and acetylated satrches. Food Chemistry 108 (1): 14-22.

Gunaratne, A., Somathilake, R., and Corke, H. (2007). Thermal, pasting and gelling properties of wheat and potato starches in the presence of sucrose, glucose, glycerol and betahydroxypropyl cyclodextrin. Carbohydrate Polymers 70 (1): 112-122.

Gunaratne, A., and Corke, H. (2007). Influence of prior acid treatment on acetylaion of  wheat, potato and maize starches. Food Chemistry 105 (3): 917-925.

Gunaratne, A., and Corke, H. (2007). Functional properties of hydroxypropylated, cross-linked and hydroxypropylated cross-linked tuber and root starches. Cereal Chemistry 84 (1): 30-37.

Gunaratne, A., and Corke, H. (2007). Effect of hydroxypropylation and alkaline treatment in hydroxypropilation of some structural and physichochemical properties of heat-moisture treated wheat, potato and waxy maize starches. Carbohydrate Polymers 68 (2): 305-313.

Gunaratne, A., and Corke, H. (2007). Influence of unmodified and modified  cyclohepaamylose (beta-cyclodextrin) on transition parameters of amylose-lipid complex and functional properties of starch. Carbohydrate Polymers 68 (2): 226-234.

Gunaratne, A., and Corke, H. (2007). Gelatinizing, pasting and gelling properties of potato and amaranth starch mixtures. Cereal Chemistry 84 (1): 22-29.

Gunaratne, A., and Hoover, R. (2002). Effect of heat-moisture treatment on the strcuture and physichochemical properties of tuber and root starches. Carbohydrate Polymers 49 (4): 425-437.

Book Chapters

Gunaratne, A.,  (2018). Heat-moisture treatment of starch. In Physical Modification of Starch. pp 15-36. Springer Publisher. 

Gan, R.Y., Chan, C.L., Yang, Q.Q., Li, H.B., Zhang, D., Ge, Y.Y., Gunaratne, A., Ge, J., and Harold Corke (2019). Bioactive compounds and beneficial functions of sprouted grains. In Sprouted Grains. Pp. 191-246. AACC International Press.

Gunaratne, A., and Corke, H. (2004). Starch: Analysis of Quality, In: Encylopedia Of Grain Science (C.W. Wrigley. H. Corke, and C.E. Walker, Eds.) Oxford. Elsevier, 2004, Vol. 3: pp. 202-21

 Gunaratne, A., and Corke, H. (2007). Influence of hydroxypropyl ß-cyclodextrin on the transition properties of native, acetylated and synthesized amylose-lipid complexes. Pages 319-328 In: “Starch: Progress in Basic and Applied Science”, (P. Tomasik, V.P. Yuryev, and E. Bertoft, eds.). Polish Society of Food Technologists, Malopolska, Poland.

Patent

Vidhana arachchi, L.P., Gunaratne, D.M.A., Malavipathirana, S., and Amarasighe, A.A.Y. (2012). Development of management strategies to control the Weligama coconut leaf wilt disease.