Dr. Janitha P.D. Wanasundara, CFS, FAOCS

Image Janitha Wanasundara
Research Scientist

My role as a research scientist in protein bioproducts is to conduct, manage and communicate scientific investigations on chemistry, and structure- related biochemical and physico-chemical properties of seed proteins for value enhancement of oilseed and pulse crops of Canadian prairies.  

Current research and/or projects

Activities in this program are to conduct, manage and communicate scientific investigations on chemistry, and structure- related biochemical and physico-chemical properties of seed proteins for value enhancement of oilseed and pulse crops of Canadian prairies.   

Research and/or project statements

Research projects investigate characteristics of seed storage proteins of crucifer oilseeds (canola, camelina, yellow mustard) and pulses (faba bean, lentil) in relation to their unique as well as common properties. Investigations of research projects also assess these proteins in various model systems that direct their conversion routes for optimum utilization as nutrients (e.g., essential amino acid sources), functional biopolymers (e.g., colloidal aggregates, interface stabilizers), and their monomers (peptides and amino acids with biological activities).   

Professional activities / interests

Member, American Oil Chemists' Society

Professional member, Institute of Food Technologists

Associate Editor, Journal of American Oil Chemists' Society

Education and awards

  • B.Sc. (Hons.) Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka 1986
  • M.Phil. Food Science & Technology, University of Peradeniya Sri Lanka, 1990
  • M.Sc. Food Science, Memorial University, Canada, 1992
  • Ph.D. Food Science, Memorial University, Canada, 1996
  • Certified Food Scientist (CFS, International Food Science Certification Commission) 2013
  • Fellow of the American Oil Chemists' Society (FAOCS) 2022  

International experience and/or work

Lecturer, Department of Food Science and Technology, University of Peradeniya Sri Lanka (1987-1996)

Key publications

  1. Hoogencamp, H., Kumagai, H., and Wanasundara, J.P.D. (2015). "Rice protein.", .

    2015 - View publication details

  2. Mupondwa, E.K., Li, X., Wanasundara, J.P.D., and Tabil, L.G. (2015). "Technoeconomic analysis of bio-ethanol and co-product production from Triticale feedstocks in Western Canada.", 106th Annual Meeting and Expo of American Oil Chemists' Society, Orlando, FL, USA, May 3-6, 2015.

    2015 - View publication details

  3. Wanasundara, J.P.D. and McIntosh, T.C. (2015). "Properties of napin from scaled-up canola meal fractionation process.", 14th International Rapeseed Congress, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, July 5-9, 2015, Oral presentation.

    2015 - View publication details

  4. Ouazib, M., Moussou, N, N., Oomah, B.D., Zaidi, F., and Wanasundara, P.K.J.P.D. (2015). "Effect of processing and germination on nutritional parameters and functional properties of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) from Algeria.", Journal of Food Legumes, 28(2), pp. 35-42.

    2015 - View publication details

  5. Perera, S.P., Withana-Gamage, T.S., McIntosh, T.C., and Wanasundara, J.P.D. (2015). "Major proteins of canola have distinct structural and physico-chemical properties.", 14th International Rapeseed Congress, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, July 5-9, 2015. (Poster)

    2015 - View publication details

  6. Wanasundara, J.P.D. and McIntosh, T.C. (2015). "Changes in canola seed protein structure and properties during pre-press solvent extraction process.", 14th International Rapeseed Congress, Saskatoon, SK, Canada, July 5-9, 2015. (Poster)

    2015 - View publication details

  7. Nadathur, S.N., Scanlin, L., and Wanasundara, J.P.D. (2015). "Proteins in the diet – Challenges of feeding the global population.", in Nadathur, S.N., Wanasundara, J.P.D. and Scanlin, L. (eds.) - Sustainable Protein Sources, Elsevier Science LTD., Chapter Introductory.

    2015 - View publication details

  8. Villeneuve, S., Power, K.A., Guévremont, E., Mondor, M., Tsao, R., Wanasundara, J.P.D., Zarepoor, L., Mercier, S. (2015). Effect of a Short-Time Germination Process on the Nutrient Composition, Microbial Counts and Bread-Making Potential of Whole Flaxseed. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, [online] 39(6), 1574-1586. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jfpp.12385

    2015 - View publication details

  9. Pathiratne, S.M., Shand, P.J., Pickard, M., Wanasundara, J.P.D. (2015). Generating functional property variation in lentil (Lens culinaris) flour by seed micronization: Effects of seed moisture level and surface temperature. Food Research International, [online] 76(P1), 122-131. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2015.03.026

    2015 - View publication details

  10. Marambe, H.K., McIntosh, T.C., Cheng, B., Wanasundara, J.P.D. (2015). Structural stability and Sin a 1 anti-epitope antibody binding ability of yellow mustard (Sinapis alba L.) napin during industrial-scale myrosinase inactivation process. Food and Function, [online] 6(7), 2384-2395. http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/c4fo00806e

    2015 - View publication details

  11. Withana-Gamage, T.S., Hegedus, D.D., Qiu, X., Wanasundara, J. (2015). Solubility, Heat-Induced Gelation and Pepsin Susceptibility of Cruciferin Protein as Affected by Subunit Composition. Food Biophysics, [online] 10(2), 103-115. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11483-014-9370-3

    2015 - View publication details

  12. Cheung, L., Wanasundara, J., Nickerson, M.T. (2015). Effect of pH and NaCl on the Emulsifying Properties of a Napin Protein Isolate. Food Biophysics, [online] 10(1), 30-38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11483-014-9350-7

    2015 - View publication details

  13. Mupondwa, E.K., Wanasundara, P.K.J.P.D., and Li, X. (2014). "Technoeconomic and life cycle analysis of commercial production of high-value canola protein fractions and co-products using aqueous extraction technology.", 105th Annual meeting and expo of American Oil Chemists’ Society, San Antonio, USA, May 4-7, 2014, Oral presentation. (Abstract)

    2014 - View publication details

  14. Perera, S.P., McIntosh, T.C., Tyler, R.T., and Wanasundara, P.K.J.P.D. (2014). "Oil body proteins of Camelina sativa (L) Crantz (False flax).", 105th Annual meeting and expo of American Oil Chemists’ Society, San Antonio, USA, May 4-7, 2014. (Poster)

    2014 - View publication details

  15. Zarepoor, L., Lu, J.T., Zhang, C., Wu, W., Lepp, D., Robinson, L., Wanasundara, J., Cui, S., Villeneuve, S., Fofana, B., Tsao, R., Wood, G.A., Power, K.A. (2014). Dietary flaxseed intake exacerbates acute colonic mucosal injury and inflammation induced by dextran sodium sulfate, 306(12), http://dx.doi.org/10.1152/ajpgi.00253.2013

    2014 - View publication details

  16. Marambe, H.K., McIntosh, T.C., Cheng, B., Wanasundara, J.P.D. (2014). Quantification of major 2S allergen protein of yellow mustard using anti-Sin a 1 epitope antibody. Food Control, [online] 44 233-241. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2014.03.053

    2014 - View publication details

  17. Cheung, L., Wanasundara, J., Nickerson, M.T. (2014). The Effect of pH and NaCl Levels on the Physicochemical and Emulsifying Properties of a Cruciferin Protein Isolate. Food Biophysics, [online] 9(2), 105-113. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11483-013-9323-2

    2014 - View publication details

  18. Marambe, H.K., McIntosh, T.C., Cheng, B.F., and Wanasundara, J.P.D. (2013). "Denaturation of 2S Albumin Napin and Implication of Structural Changes on Allergenic Properties of Yellow Mustard (Sinapis alba).", Agricultural biotechnology International Conference, Calgary, Canada, September 15-18, 2013.

    2013 - View publication details

  19. Pathiratne, S.M., Shand, P.J., and Wanasundara, P.K.J.P.D. (2013). "Changes in protein-related functional properties of lentil due to micronization.", 104th Annual meeting and expo of American Oil Chemists’ Society, Montreal, QC, Canada, April 29 - May 02, 2013, Poster.

    2013 - View publication details

  20. Cheung, L.L., Wanasundara, P.K.J.P.D., and Nickerson, M. (2013). "Effect of pH and salt on the physicochemical and emulsifying properties of cruciferin and napin-rich protein isolates.", 104th Annual meeting and expo of American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS), Montreal, QC, Canada, April 28 - May 02, 2013, Poster.

    2013 - View publication details

Research facility

107 Science Place
Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X2
Canada

Affiliations

Adjunct Professor, University of Saskatchewan (Department of Food and Bioproduct Sciences)

Language

English

Other languages

Sinhala