University of Peradeniya holds Agricultural Symposium
View(s):Therani Kumarsinghe was awarded this year’s gold medal for her research on a functional set-yoghurt at the Faculty of Agriculture Undergraduate Research Symposium (FAuRS 2025) held at the University recently.
Dr Pabodha Weththasingha the Chairperson for the Fundraising and Publications Subcommittee of FAuRS 2025 said ms Kumarasinghe, was recognised as the Most Outstanding Emerging Researcher for her research paper titled “Isolation, Identification and Selection of Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) producing Lactic acid bacteria for the development and characterisation of Functional set-yoghurt.” conducted under the supervision of Prof. Janak K. Vidanarachchi, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture.
Detailing about the set-yoghurt Ms Kumarasinghe mentioned that this functional set-yoghurt had therapeutic benefits considering that it was enriched with Gamma Amnio Butyric Acid (GABA) which was produced by specific Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) naturally during their Fermentation Process. Ms Kumarasinghe also added that the stated set-yoghurt helps reduce neurological disorders, regulates blood pressure, prevents diabetes, reduces stress, improves sleep.
GABA concentration values obtained from Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) analysis was used to select the highest GABA-producing lactic acid bacteria. The developed product showed high GABA content, excellent physicochemical properties, and strong consumer appeal. This is the first time such a GABA-enriched set-yoghurt has been developed in Sri Lanka, and there are plans for its commercial release.
Dr Wethasingha meanwhile related that the closing ceremony held at the Diamond Jubilee Auditorium at the Faculty of Agriculture of the University of Peradeniya was graced by His Excellency David Pine High Commissioner of New Zealand to Sri Lanka, the Maldives and Bangaladesh, who was the Chief Guest for the event as well as Dr Patrick McNamara Executive Director of the United States Fullbright Commission who delivered the key note address.
She went on to explain that the Faculty of Agriculture offers three-degree programmes BSC in Agriculture Technology and Management, BSC in Animal Sciences and Fisheries and BSC in Food Science and Technology. As part of the final year academic requirement all Undergraduates complete an independent research assignment. In 2025 330 students completed their final year research assignments. The studies of the research spanned fundamental and applied research including industry collaboration and research that represented diverse fields such as animal science, crop science, soil science, food science, agricultural biology, agricultural engineering, agricultural economics and business management and agricultural extension.
From this year’s batch of students, the top 56 students were selected for a presentation at FAuRS. All presentations were evaluated by expert judging panels that selected the best research presentations under four themes: Agricultural Production and Productivity Improvement, Technological Interventions and Applications in Agriculture, Food Quality, Safety and Product Development and Community Environment and Management.
Additionally, 28 high quality projects were recognised with the Merit Awards for Undergraduate Research that acknowledged their scientific merit and contribution to agricultural knowledge. FAuRS 2025 also allowed students to participate in several open competitions that were designed to encourage science communication, creativity and innovation.
Examples of these competitions included the Research Video Competition, Scientific Eye Photography Competition and The Three Minute Thesis (3MT) Competition. The outstanding entries of these competitions were awarded certificates and prizes
Meanwhile all 330 student research abstracts were published in the Proceedings of FAuRS 2025 representing the breath and depth of undergraduate research across the three-degree programmes.
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