Research Interests

• Plant based food
• Tea
• Bioactivity of functional compounds

Ongoing Research Themes

Applications of refused tea in different sustainable applications

Indexed Journal Articles

1. S.D.T. Maduwanthi, R.A.U.J. Marapana, Total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity following simulated gastro-intestinal digestion and dialysis of banana (Musa acuminata, AAB) as affected by induced ripening agents, Food Chemistry, ELSEVIER , 339 (2021),
   127909, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2020.127909
2. S.D.T. Maduwanthi, R.A.U.J. Marapana, Comparative Study on Aroma Volatiles, Organic Acids and Sugars of Banana (Musa acuminata, AAB) Treated with Induced Ripening Agents, Journal of Food Quality, Hindawi – Volume 2019,
   https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/7653154
3. S.D.T. Maduwanthi, R.A.U.J. Marapana, Comparison of pigments and some physicochemical properties of banana as affected by ethephon and acetylene induced ripening, Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, ELSEVIER, 33 (2021), 101997,
   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcab.2021.101997
4. R.A.S.N. Ranasingha, S.D.T. Maduwanthi, R.A.U.J. Marapana, Nutritional and Health Benefits of Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.): A Review. International Journal of Food Science, Hindawi, Volume 2019, 10.1155/2019/4327183
5. S.D.T. Maduwanthi, R.A.U.J. Marapana, Induced Ripening Agents and Their Effect on Fruit Quality of Banana – International Journal of Food Science, Hindawi, Volume 2019,
   https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/2520179

Non-Indexed Journal Articles

1. S.D.T. Maduwanthi, R.A.U.J. Marapana, Smoking Treatment in Enhancing Banana Ripening and its Effects on Physical and Biochemical Attributes of Ambul Banana (Musa acuminata, AAB), Journal of Food and Agricuture, 2019, Dec, 12 (2), DOI: 10.4038/jfa.v12i2.5221
2. M. Silva, U. Premathilaka, S.D.T. Maduwanthi, T.G.G. Uthpala, Development of fermented Mormodica charantia and analysis of biochemical properties- International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Research, Volume 7, Issue 3, March 2016,
3. S.D.T. Maduwanthi, R.A.U.J. Marapana, Biochemical changes during ripening of banana: A review – International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition, ISSN: 2455-4898, Volume 2; Issue 5; September 2017; Page No. 166169, https://www.foodsciencejournal. com/assets/archives/2017/vol2issue5/2-5-31-566.pdf
4. A.D.R. Madurangi, S.D.T. Maduwanthi, Edible flowers in herbal beverage development – Review, Asian Food Science Journal, pp.1-21, 2024,

Conference Papers

1. Physicochemical and sensory characteristics of fermented bitter gourd (Mormodica charantia)- 70th annual sessions 2014, at SLAAS (Sri Lanka Association for Advancement of Science)
2. Survival of Lactic Acid Bacteria isolated from Sri Lankan finger millet variety – 36th Annual Sessions, The Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka, September 2016
3. Effect of induced ripening agents on physicochemical properties of Ambul banana (Musa acuminata, AAB) – Uwa Wellassa International Research Symposium, 2018
4. Aroma volatile production during natural ripening of Ambul banana (Musa acuminata, AAB) – International Symposium on Agriculture & Environment (ISAE), Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, 28th Feb 2019
5. Aroma volatiles of Ambul banana (Musa acuminata, AAB) as affected by artificial ripening agents- 3rd International Symposium of Uwa Wellassa International Research Symposium, 2019
6. Effect Of Ethephon and Acetylene Treatments On Chlorophylls and Carotenoids Pigments In Banana (Musa acuminata, AAB)- 4th International Research Symposium on Pure and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, 25th Oct 2019
7. Comparative effects of ethephon and acetylene induced ripening on physicochemical parameters of banana (Musa acuminata, AAB) – The International Conference on Agriculture, Food Security and Food Safety (Agro Food 2019) – 7th and 8th November 2019, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
8. Effect of ethylene and acetylene treatments on phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity of Ambul banana (Musa acuminata, AAB) Peradeniya University International Research Sessions (iPURSE) 2021, Volume 23, 11th and 12th November, 2021.
9. Assessment of selected microbial quality parameters in Ceylon black tea FBOP grade as affected by Ceylon natural Cinnamon flavor. – 7th International Research Conference of Uva Wellassa University , 17th-18th August, 2023.
10. Assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Tea Land Owners on Leaf Harvesting Policies in Sri Lanka, International Conference on Innovation and Emerging Technologies 2024, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, 2024 Nov.
11. Effect of brewing on reducing microbial load in Black tea, International Conference on Agriculture and Plantation Management, 16 – 18 May, 2025, Wayamba University.
12. Student Perception and Comparative Effectiveness of Traditional Teaching and E- Learning Methods in Food Technology Education at Higher Education Institution, 2nd Research Conference on Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, Jun 2025 – University of Kelaniya.
13. Comparative study of organic acid variations of Ambul banana (Musa acuminata, AAB) as affected by different ripening agents – National Postharvest Research Symposium, Institute of Post-Harvest Technology, 2018.
14. Refused Tea as a Resource: A Review of Its Practical Applications – 9 th International Research Sysmposium, University of Vocational Technology, IRS UOVT 2025
15. Development and Physicochemical Characterisation of Bio-Sheets from Refused Tea for Sustainable Packaging Applications – 9th International Research Sysmposium, University of Vocational Technology, IRS UOVT 2025

Teaching Expertise

Food Chemistry, Food Analysis, Food Process Technology

Projects Completed

1. Survey on Tea Consumption Patterns in Selected Rural Areas of Sri Lanka
2. A Comparison of Volatile Aroma Characteristics of Ceylon Black Tea in Seven Tea Growing Regions
3. Comprehensive Survey of Consumer Preference, Knowledge and Consumption Patterns of Milk Powder in Kandy District
4. A Survey on different handmade tea types, processing methods and difficulties for production of handmade tea in handmade tea community in Sri Lanka
5. Evaluation of Microbial Quality of Ceylon Black Tea (Camellia sinensis) as Affected by Ginger (Zingiber officinale).
6. Assessment of tea leaf plucking policies practiced by tea land owners in Sri Lanka
7. Evaluation of Microbial Quality of Ceylon Black Tea (Camellia sinensis) as Affected by Ginger (Zingiber officinale).
8. Effect of Brewing Time and Temperature on Microbial Load in Ceylon Black Tea

Projects Ongoing

1. Development and Characterisation of Bio-Sheets from Refused Tea as Potential Packing Material
2. Assessment of antimicrobial properties of disinfectant potential of fresh green tea leaves (Camelia sinesis L) from various agro-climetic regions in Sri Lanka
3. Impact of Drying Method on Microbial Safety and Functional Quality of Handmade Ceylon Tea

Professional Experience

Awards & Honors

• PhD Gold medal for the research excellence achieving the highest international and national publications at the Board of Life Sciences at 47th Convocation of University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
• Sessions best presentation award for the presentation at the International Conference on Agriculture, Food Security and Safety 2019, 7-8th November Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Professional Memberships

Member in Biology, Institute of Biology, Sri Lanka (M.I. Biol)
Member in SLAAS in 2014 (Sri Lanka Association for Advancement of Science)

• Panel evaluator at Oral sessions of International Conference on Innovation and Emerging Technologies, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
• Worked as a reviewer in following journals; Asian Food Science Journal, Asian Food Science Journal, European Journal of Medicinal Plants, International Journal of Plant and Soil Science, Journal of Experimental Agriculture International, Energy Nexus, Elsevier – NEXUS-D-23-00121R1

Workshops & Training

• Development of laboratory quality management system as per ISO/IEC 17025:2017 held by Sri Lanka Accreditation Board.
• Quantitative/Qualitative Data analysis and Design of Experiments at Faculty of Graduate studies, University of Sri Jayewardenepura
• Research Methodology and Scientific Writing, conducted by Faculty of Graduate Studies, University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
• Staff Development Program for Probationary Lecturers at University of Kelaniya
• Bioactivity assays at Industrial Technology Institute

Skills & Expertise

• Laboratory skills
  • HPLC
  • GC-MS
  • SPME
  • in vitro gastrointestinal digestion
  • Bioavailability and Bioactivity assays
• Data analysis tools
  • Minitab
  • SPSS