Vasantha Rupasinghe

Undergraduate

• CHMA 2002 Introduction to Biochemistry 
• FOOD 3002 Impact of Food in Health
• FOOD 4005 Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals
• FOOD 4000 Directed Studies in Food & Bioproduct Science

Graduate

• AGRI 5730 Directed Studies in Food & Bioproduct Science
  
• AGRI 5710 Graduate module: Plant Secondary Metabolites
  
• AGRI 5710 Graduate module: Biochemistry of Fruit Ripening

Medicinal biochemistry of phytochemicals; Disease-fighting properties of plant flavonoids and their analogues; Polyphenol micronutrients of cool climate fruits and disease prevention.

Development and evaluation of value-added health food and feed ingredients, natural food additives, functional foods, natural health products and other horticultural bio-products.

Postharvest biology and technology of fruits; Biochemistry of fruit ripening; Novel and improved value-added processing technologies; Shelf life and quality.

Food Bioactives Research program

Flavonoids in Plant Food and their Health Benefits

In our research, we strongly believe what Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.), the father of medicine, stated thousands of years before: "Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food”.  Rapid advancements in food production after the green revolution and changing life style has made our regular diet nutritionally imbalanced. Now, not only the industrialized countries but rapidly developing countries of the world face significant challenges from epidemics of chronic disease that are directly or indirectly linked to diet, lifestyle and the environment. For example, deaths from cancer worldwide are projected to continue rising, World Health Organization has estimated 13.1 million deaths in 2030 due to cancer. Cancer treatment in many countries has already become a social-economic challenge due to the treatment and patient-care expenses and medical infrastructure required. We believe, prevention as the most cost-effective, long-term approach for controlling disorders such as cancer.  The last two decades of scientific evidence, epidemiological evidence and recent meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies clearly demonstrates the relationship between habitual adequate consumption of fruits and vegetables and reduce incidence of oxidative-stress and chronic inflammation regulated disorders. 

Our recent research were mainly focused on flavonoids, the major antioxidant components in fruits, which have remarkable power in preventing the development of chronic diseases and promoting human health and wellness. In particular, our research hypotheses is that some unique flavonoids in cool climate fruits such as apples and berries can play as the major biologically active components of our diet to reduce the risk of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders and various cancers. My research team has been attempting to answer to the questions of: what are the most important types of dietary flavonoids? what amount of flavonoids are needed for the therapeutic efficacy? could isolated flavonoid supplements provide the efficacy and safety? what are their mechanism of action(s) at cellular level? Our applied research is designed to translate the new discoveries into functional foods and nutraceuticals. 

(A) Cardio-protective properties of fruit flavonoids and their products

Using pre-clinical studies, we have demonstrated that a specific apple flavonoid extract (AFE) possesses multiple target-based mechanisms toward the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and coronary heart diseases. The apple flavonoids showed the reduction of the risk of atherosclerosis by remarkably decreasing the oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol in vitro. When the diet of hypercholesterolemic male Golden Syrian hamsters was supplemented with the AFE, plasma total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels were significantly reduced compared to the control. Similarly, when the extract was supplemented in the diet of hyperlipidemic male Wister rats, not only LDL-cholesterol level significantly reduced but also high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level significantly increased. When lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce inflammation of Wister rats, pro-inflammatory markers (IL-6 and CRP) in blood were significantly reduced by the extracts indicating the anti-inflammatory properties. AFE and their constituent flavonoids inhibited the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), a therapeutic target of anti-hypertension drugs, at very low concentrations (20 nM to 3 µM) in HUVEC cells. The dietary supplementation of AFE and a fruit-based functional beverage reduced the blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats. 

• Gunathilake, K.D.P.P., H.P.V. Rupasinghe, and Y. Wang. 2013. J. Functional Foods. 5: 1392-1401. 

• Gunathilake, K.D.P.P., H.P.V. Rupasinghe, N.L. Pitts. 2013. Food Research International. 52:535-541. 

• Thilakarathna, S.H., H.P.V. Rupasinghe, P.W. Needs. 2013. Food Chem. 138:463-470. 

• Thilakarathna, S.H., Y. Wang, H.P.V. Rupasinghe, K. Ghanam. 2012. J. Functional Foods. 4: 963-971. 

• Balasuriya, N. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2012. Food Chem. 135, 2320-2325. 

• Balasuriya, N. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2011. Functional Foods for Health and Disease. 5:172-188.

(B) Flavonoids-based natural health products for neurodegenerative diseases

Despite modern drug discovery approaches, no therapeutic product is available to halt the degenerative processes responsible for stroke, multiple sclerosis (MS) or Alzheimer’s disease. We have found a specific flavonoid fraction derived from apple peels (AF4) with strong neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effects when examined in mice subjected to hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain damage, an experimental model for stroke. Oral administration of AF4 (25 mg/kg/d) for at least three days prior to HI markedly reduced subsequent motor impairments, brain damage, and inflammation after an experimental stroke. AF4-mediated neuroprotection was accompanied by changes in gene expression suggestive of improved mitochondrial function and activation of pathways that promote cell survival. AF4 has also reduced clinical signs of MS in an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model of mice by decreasing neuroinflammatory damage in the spinal cord and improving the expression of genes necessary for remyelination. Similarly, flavonoids-rich fraction isolated from partridgeberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) exhibited cytoprotection ability in peroxyl radical-induced fibroblasts through activation of the transcription factor Nrf2-antioxidant responsive element (ARE) pathway and protection of rat primary cortical and hippocampal neurons against β-amyloid toxicity and oxygen-glucose deprivation-reperfusion-induced injury via suppression of inflammatory adipokines and regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ).

• Bhullar, K.S. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2015. Food Research International. 74: 237–249.

• Bhullar, K.B. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2015. Food Chemistry. 168:595-605.

• Bhullar, K.S. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2015. Nutritional Neuroscience. doi.org/10.1179/1476830515Y.0000000026.

• Warford, J., R. Quinton, D. Jones, M. Nichols, V. Sullivan, H.P.V. Rupasinghe, G.S. Robertson. 2014. Journal of Neuroinflammation 268:71-83. 

• Bhullar, K.S. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2013. Oxidative Medicine & Cellular Longevity. Article ID 891748. 2013:1-18. 

• Keddy, P., K. Dunlop, J. Warford, M.L. Samson, D. Jones, H.P.V. Rupasinghe, G.S. Robertson. 2012. PLoS ONE 7:1-18. 

• Jones, Q.R.D, J. Warford, H.P.V. Rupasinghe, G.S. Robertson. 2012. Trends in Pharm. Sci. 33:602-610. 

(C) Novel anti-cancer therapeutic agents synthesized from food biomolecules:

To enhance the bioavailability and biological activities of flavonoids, we have synthesized a series of novel flavonoid derivatives with higher hydrophobicity. The lipase-catalyzed acylation of phloridzin (PZ) and isoquercetrin (Q3G) with six long chain fatty acids was optimized. We have identified an effective and safe flavonoid derivative with potential for treating hepatocellular carcinoma, acute monocytic leukemia, and breast cancer. The antiproliferative potency of fatty acid esters of PZ was comparable to the potency of the chemotherapeutic drugs. The fatty acid esters of PZ inhibited DNA topoisomerases IIα activity that might induce G0/G1 phase arrest, induced apoptosis via activation of caspase-3, and decreased ATP level and mitochondrial membrane potential in HepG2 cells. Antiproliferative efficacy of one of the derivatives, docosahexaenoic acid acylated PZ (PZ-DHA) was investigated using a triple negative breast cancer cell line (MDA-MB-231). PZ-DHA, but not PZ, caused the death of MDA-MB-231 in vitro which was both time- and dose-dependent. PZ-DHA-induced apoptosis was indicated by DNA fragmentation and activation of caspase 3/7. PZ-DHA showed low cytotoxicity toward human normal cells. Anticancer efficacy observed in cell cultures and mice suggest PZ-DHA as a potential treatment for breast cancer. Advanced pre-clinical experiments of intravenous injection and oral administration of PZ-DHA using animal models are in progress. 

• Nair, S.V.G., Ziaullah, and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2014. PLoS ONE 9(9): e107149. 

• Rupasinghe, H.P.V. 2015. Acylated derivatives of phloridzin and isoquercetrin as anticancer therapeutics and methods of use thereof. WO2015/019193A2. (Patent-pending).

• Ziaullah and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2013. Tetrahedron Letters 54:1933-1937. 

• Ziaullah, K.S. Bhullar, S.N. Warnakulasuriya, and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2013. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 21:684-692. 

• Thilakarathna, S. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2013. Nutrients 5:3367-3387. 

(D) Prevention of omega-3 lipid oxidation by apple peel flavonoids

Natural food antioxidants for stabilization of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) have received much attention due to the restrictions of synthetic antioxidants in foods in some countries. The effectiveness of quercetin glycosides (QG) in inhibiting lipid oxidation in oil-in-water emulsion systems when oxidation was induced by heat, light, peroxyl radical or ferrous ion was greater than that of α-tocopherol. Antioxidant activity of QG was greater than butylated hydroxytoluene in bulk fish oil. QG-rich ethanol extracts of apple peels strongly inhibited omega-3 PUFA oxidation. QG isolated from apple peels showed ability to stabilize omega-3 PUFA-oxidation induced heat.  

• Sekhon, S., H.P.V. Rupasinghe, and F. Shahidi. 2013. Food Chem. 140:189-196.

• Huber, G.M., H.P.V. Rupasinghe, and F. Shahidi. 2009. Food Chem. 117: 290-295.

• Huber, G.M., and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2009. J. Food Sci. 74:693-700.

• Rupasinghe, H.P.V., N. Erkan, and A. Yasmin. 2010. J. Agric. Food Chem. 58:1233-1239.

• Rupasinghe, H.P.V. and A. Yasmin. 2010. Molecules 15:251-257.

Publications can be found at Research Gate

• Cross Appointment, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
• Cross-listed, Department Process Engineering & Applied Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
• Cross-listed, Department Biology, Faculty of Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia.
• Adjunct Professor, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (2009-2015)
• Adjunct Professor, Postgraduate Faculty, Sichuan Agricultural University, China. (2014-2018)
• Board of Director, Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology (CIFST). (2015-2021)
• Co-chair, Scientific Advisory Panel, CIFST.
• Fellow of CIFST

Memberships continued

• Arthur B. McDonald Chair of Research Excellence - 2023
• The Experienced Faculty Research Excellence Award 2022 - Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture
• The Outstanding Graduate Supervision Award 2021 - Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture
• Honorary Membership – BC Haskap Association - 2019
• Fellow of the CIFST – 2018, Canadian Institute for Food Science and Technology
• Killam Chair - 2016
• Canada Research Chair (Tier II) - 2011
• Canada Foundation for Innovation Awards – 2004 and 2011
• Research Excellence Award – 2009, Nova Scotia Agriculture College (NSAC)
• Ontario Food Innovation Award – 2003, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food (OMAF)

• Amararathna, M., D.W. Hoskin, K.B. Goralski, and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2024. Suppression of NNK metabolism by anthocyanin-rich haskap berry supplementation through modulation of P450 enzymes. Pharmaceuticals. 17(12):1615. 23 pages.

• Fernando, R., X. Sun, and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2024. Production of bioactive peptides from microalgae and their biological properties related to cardiovascular disease. Macromolecules. 4(3): 582-597.

• Wijesundara, N.M., S.F. Lee, D.N. Langelaan, A. Lefsay, and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2024. Carvacrol alters the membrane phospholipid in erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pyogenes. Phytomedicine Plus. 4(3):100614. 8 pages.

• Fernando, W., E. MacLean, S. Monro, M.R. Power Coombs, P. Marcato, H.P.V. Rupasinghe, and D. W. Hoskin. 2024. Phloridzin docosahexaenoate, an omega-3 fatty acid ester of a flavonoid precursor, inhibits angiogenesis by suppressing endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Biomolecules. 14(7):769. 15 pages.

• Dharmawansa, K.S., A.W. Stadnyk, and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2024. Dietary supplementation of haskap berry (Lonicera caerulea L.) anthocyanins and probiotics attenuate dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis: Evidence from an experimental animal model. Foods. 13(13):1987. 25 pages.

• Sivapragasam, N., S. Maqsood, and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2024. Berry bioactive compounds immobilized in starch matrix for active and intelligent packaging: A review. Future Foods. 10:100397. 16 pages.

• Fagbohun, O.F., J.P. Hui, J. Zhang, G. Jiao, and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2024. Application of response surface methodology and artificial neural network to optimize the extraction of saponins and polyphenols from North Atlantic Sea cucumber. Food Chemistry Advances. 5:100748. 13 pages.

• Fagbohun, O.F., A. Rollins, L. Mattern, K. Cipollini, and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2024. Frondoside A of Cucumaria frondosa (Gennerus, 1767): Chemistry, biosynthesis, medicinal applications, and mechanism of actions. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. 2024, rgae059. 11 pages. 

• Valisakkagari, H., C. Chaturvedi, and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2024. Green extraction of phytochemicals from fresh vegetable waste and their potential application as cosmeceuticals for skin health. Processes. 12(4), 742. 26 pages. 

• Fagbohun, O.F., W.P.D.W. Thilakarathna, J. Zhou, C. Lehmann, G. Jiao, and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2024. Sea cucumber and blueberry extracts suppress inflammation and reduce acute lung injury through the regulation of NF-κB/MAPK/JNK signaling pathway in Lipopolysaccharide-treated C57BL/6 mice. Molecules. 29, 1–18.

• Wagle, S., W.P.D.W. Thilakarathna, J.A. Lee, and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2024. Anti-inflammatory effect of extracts of Inonotus obliquus and microalgae. Medical Research Archives. 12(2). 9 pages.

• Thilakarathna, W.P.D.W. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2024. Proanthocyanidins-based synbiotics as a novel strategy for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) risk reduction. Molecules. 29(3), 709. 31 pages. 

• Wagle, S., J.A. Lee, and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2024. Synergistic cytotoxicity of extracts of Chaga mushroom and microalgae against mammalian cancer cells in vitro. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. Article ID 7944378. 13 pages.

• Thilakarathna, W.P.D.W. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2024. Proanthocyanidins biotransformed by Saccharomyces cerevisiae prevent the pathogenesis of steatosis and progression to steatohepatitis in vitro. Journal of Functional Foods. 112:105961. 16 pages.

More publications can be found here

Rupasinghe, H.P.V. (Ed) 2021. Flavonoids and Their Disease Prevention and Treatment Potential. Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, Switzerland. ISBN 978-3-0365-0000-3 (Hbk); ISBN 978-3-0365-0001-0 (PDF). pp 346. 

• Joshi, V.K., H.P.V. Rupasinghe, A. Kumar, P. Kumari. 2021. Biochemistry of winemaking. In: Wine Making: Basic and Applied Aspects. (Eds) Joshi, V.K. and R.C. Rays. CRC Press, Tayler and Francis Group, Boca Raton, FL, USA. ISBN 9781138490918. pp. 331-380.

• Khattab, R., H.P.V. Rupasinghe, S-L. Brooks, and G.B. Celli 2020. Health Benefits of Haskap Berries (Lonicera caerulea L.). In: Asian Berries – Health benefits. (Eds) G. Xiao, Y. Xu, U. Yu. CRC Press, Tayler and Francis Group, Boca Raton, FL, USA. ISBN 9780367251994. pp 280-326.

• Rupasinghe, H.P.V. and N. Arumuggam. 2019. Health benefits of anthocyanin. (Eds.) M. Su-Ling Brook and G.B. Celli. Anthocyanin from Natural Sources. The Royal Society of Chemistry. ISBN: 978-1-78801-261-4. pp. 121-158.

• Rupasinghe, H.P.V., N. Balasuriya, and Y. Wang. 2017. Prevention of type 2 diabetes by phenolic constituents of fruits. In: Nutritional Antioxidant Therapies: Treatments and Perspectives (Ed. Kaïs H. Al-Gubory & Ismail Laher). 978-3-319-67623-4. Springer. ISBN: 978-3-319-67623-4. Pp. 447-466.

• Rupasinghe, H.P.V., V.K. Joshi, A. Smith, I. Parmar. 2016. Chemistry of fruit wines. In: Science and Technology of Fruit Wine Production. (Eds) M.T. Kosseva, V.K. Joshi, P.S. Panesar. ISBN: Elsevier, London, UK. ISBN: 978-0-12-800850-8. pp. 105-176.

• Rupasinghe, H.P.V. and S. Thilakarathna. 2016. Apple juice. In: Handbook of Functional Beverages and Human Health. (Ed.) F. Shahidi and C. Alasalvar. CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, Boca Raton, FL, USA. 978-1-4665-9642-9. pp. 93-106.

• Ziaullah and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2015. Application of NMR spectroscopy in plant phenolics associated with human health. In: Application of NMR Spectroscopy in Food Sciences (Eds.) Atta-ur-Rahman and M. Iqbal Chaudhary. Bentham Science Publishers, Oak Park, IL, USA. ISBN: 978-1-60805-999-7. pp. 03-92.

• Parmar, I., K.S. Bhullar, and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2015. Anti-diabetic effect of ferulic acid and derivatives: An update. In: Ferulic Acid: Antioxidant Properties, Uses and Potential Health Benefits (Ed.). Bryce Warren. Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Hauppauge, NY, USA. ISBN: 978-1-63463-299-7. 

• Rupasinghe, H.P.V., S. Nair, and R. Robinson. 2014. Chemopreventive properties of fruit phenolics and their possible mode of actions. In: Studies in Natural Products Chemistry. Volume 42 (Ed.) Atta-Ur-Rahman. Elsevier Science Publishers, Amsterdam. ISBN: 978-0-444-63281-4. pp. 229-266.

• Parmar, I. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2014. Proanthocyanidins in cranberry and grape seeds: metabolism, bioavailability and biological activity. In: Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods: Natural Remedy (Ed.) S.K. Brar, S. Kaur and G.S. Dhillon, Nova Science Publishers. ISBN: 978-1-62948-793-9. pp. 119-145.

• Fernando, F. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2013. Anticancer properties of phytochemicals present in medicinal plants of North America. In: Using Old Solutions to New Problems - Natural Drug Discovery in the 21st Century. (Ed.) Marianna Kulka. InTech - Open Access Publisher. Rijeka, Croatia. ISBN:  978-953-51-1158-0.  pp. 159-180.

• Rupasinghe, H.P.V. and A.P.K. Joshi. 2013. Phytochemicals and health benefits of dried apple snacks. In: Dried Fruits: Phytochemicals and Health Effects (Ed.) C. Alasalvar and F. Shahidi, Wiley-Blackwell Publishers, Inc. Oxford, UK. ISBN: 978-0-8138-1173-4. pp 213-225.

• Rupasinghe, H.P.V. and L. J. Yu. 2013. Value-added fruit processing for human health. In: Food Industry (Ed. I. Muzzalupo, InTech - Open Access Publisher. Rijeka, Croatia.. ISBN: 978-953-51-0911-2. pp. 145-162

• Warnakulasooriya, S.N. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2012. Physiological role of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in reducing the coronary heart diseases. In: Eicosapentaenoic Acid: Sources, Health Effects and Role in Disease Prevention. Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Hauppauge, NY, USA. ISBN: 978-1-62257-480-3. pp. 143-154.

• Rupasinghe, H.P.V., S. Thilakarathna, and S. Nair. 2012. Polyphenols of apples and their potential health benefits. In: Polyphenols: Chemistry, Dietary Sources and Health Benefits (Eds.) J. Sun, K. N. Prasad, A. Ismail, B. Yang, X. You and L. Li, Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Hauppauge, NY, USA. ISBN: 978-1-62081-868-8. pp. 333-368.

• Rupasinghe, H.P.V. and L. J. Yu. 2012. Emerging preservation methods for fruit juices and beverages. In: Food Additives (Ed. Y. El-Samragy), InTech - Open Access Publisher. Rijeka, Croatia. ISBN: 979-953-307-112-0. pp. 65-82.

• Kathirvel, P. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2012. Plant-derived antioxidants as potential omega-3 PUFA stabilizers. In: Fish Oil: Production, Consumption and Health Benefits (Ed.) M. Van Dijk and J. Vitek, Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Hauppauge, NY, USA. ISBN: 978-1-61470-963-3. pp. 157-186.

• Rupasinghe, H.P.V. 2008. The role of polyphenols in quality, postharvest handling, and processing of fruits. In: Postharvest Biology and Technology of Fruits, Vegetables and Flowers (Ed.) Paliyath, G., Murr, D.P., Handa, A.K., and S. Lurie, S. Blackwell Publishing. ISBN: 978-0-8138-0408-8. pp. 260-281.

• Schofield, A, H.P.V. Rupasinghe, and G. Paliyath. 2008. Biosynthesis of isoprenoid in fruits and their impact on fruit quality. In: Postharvest Biology and Technology of Fruits, Vegetables and Flowers (Ed.) Paliyath, G., Murr, D.P., Handa, A.K., and S. Lurie, S. Blackwell Publishing. ISBN: 978-0-8138-0408-8. pp. 282-300.

• Rupasinghe, H.P.V. et al. Antioxidant extract from fruit skin. A US provisional Patent application (61/014958); PCT Publication Number WO 2009/076776 A1 (Published on June 25, 2009).

• Rupasinghe, H.P.V. et al. Non-fried apple food products processing for their preparation. A US provisional Patent application (61/106008) (submitted on October 16, 2008).

• Rupasinghe, H.P.V. and G.S. Robertson. Phenolic compositions derived from apple skin and uses thereof in the prevention and treatment of oxidative stress. A US provisional Patent application (61/333,091) (submitted on May 10, 2010).

• Rupasinghe, H.P.V. et al.. Apple skin extracts for reduction of cholesterol levels. A US provisional Patent application (61/349,177) (submitted on May 27, 2010).
  
  
• Lee, J. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. “Natural product extracts and methods of use thereof”. US provisional patent (U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/065021, August 13, 2020). PCT filling (PCT/CA2021/051117, August 12, 2021). PCT publication W0/2022/032394 (February 17, 2022). US Application No. 18/041,476 (February 13, 2023). US 2023/0293611 A1 (September 21, 2023).

• Rupasinghe, H.P.V. and W.P.D.W. Thilakarathna. 2024. Next generation of prebiotics: Biotransformed grape seed proanthocyanidins exert benefits against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The 22nd World Congress of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST 2024). Rimini, Italy. (September 8-12, 2024).
• Rupasinghe, H.P.V. 2024. Cancer-management therapeutics from dietary flavonoids and their derivatives. The 10th World Congress on Cancer Research and Therapy. Hotel Duo, Prague, Czech Republic. (June 21-22, 2024).
• Rupasinghe, H.P.V. and W.P.D.W. Thilakarathna. 2024. Next generation of prebiotics: Postbiotics of condensed tannins have the potential to reduce the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). International Scientific Conference on Probiotics, Prebiotics, Gut Microbiota and Health. Congress Centre, Prague, Czech Republic. (June 18-20, 2024).
• Chathurvedi, C. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2024. Cosmeceutical ingredients from food waste: The anti-elastase, anti-tyrosinase and anti-collagenase activity of betalains-rich extracts prepared from upcycled beetroot. Atlantic BIOCON 2024. Saint Marries University, Halifax, NS (May 29-30, 2024).
• Costa, D. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2024. Developing an optimized scalable process for extracting anthocyanins from haskap berries for value-added use. Atlantic BIOCON 2024. Saint Marries University, Halifax, NS (May 29-30, 2024).
• Valisakkagari, H. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2024. Creating cosmeceutical ingredients from upcycled Kale: Optimization of a green extraction process using response surface methodology. Atlantic BIOCON 2024. Saint Marries University, Halifax, NS (May 29-30, 2024).
• Gamage, D.K. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2024. Adding value to wild blueberries through dual fermentation and microencapsulation to develop functional food ingredients. Atlantic BIOCON 2024. Saint Marries University, Halifax, NS (May 29-30, 2024).
• Chathurvedi, C. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2024. Betalains of beetroot (Beta vulgaris): Optimization of extraction and evaluation of antioxidant, and anti-elastase properties in vitro. Science Atlantic Nutrition and Food Conference - 2024, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St John, NL (April 24, 2024).
• Valisakkagari, H. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2024. Optimization of bioactive phytochemical extraction from upcycled kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) for natural health product development. International Trainee Symposium in Agri-Food, Nutritional and Health. Canadian Centre Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB. (January 25-26, 2024).
• Gamage D.K. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2024. Microencapsulation of fermented wild blueberry to improve the stability and bioactivity of (poly)phenols. International Trainee Symposium in Agri-Food, Nutritional and Health. Canadian Centre Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB. (January 25-26, 2024).
• Thilakarathna, W.P.D.W. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2023. Proanthocyanidins biotransformed by Saccharomyces cerevisiae reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma by ameliorating nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in vitro. The 2023 Canadian Cancer Research Conference (CCRA2023), Halifax Convention Center, Halifax, NS (November 12-14, 2023).
• Wijesundara, N., and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2023. Carvacrol-enriched herbal tea for the management of pharyngitis: Inhibition of Streptococcus pyogenes and anti-inflammatory properties. The 7th Edition of Innovations in Food Science and Human Nutrition (IFHN-2023). Frankfurt, Germany (July 19-20, 2023).
• Amararathna, M., D.W. Hoskin, and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2023. Berry Anthocyanins exert anti-cancer properties against lung carcinogenesis. The 31st International Conference on Polyphenols (ICP 2023). Nantes, France (July 3-6, 2023).
• Valisakkagari, H. and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2023. Application of response surface methodology for the extraction of carotenoids from upcycled kale. 2023 Canadian Food Summit - CIFST National Conference, RBC Place, London, ON (June 7 -9, 2023).
• Amararathna, M., D.W. Hoskin, and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2022. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside-rich haskap berry dietary supplementation modulates carcinogen-induced inflammation in A/Jr mice. The 2022 Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute/Terry Fox Research Institute Cancer Research Conference, The Lord Nelson Hotel, Halifax, NS (November 7-8, 2022).
• Comeau, A., L. Fowlow, S.G. Robertson, W. Fernando, H.P.V. Rupasinghe, D.W. Hoskin, and M.R. Power-Coombs. 2022. Anti-cancer effects of PZ-DHA on colon cancer cells. The 2022 Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute/Terry Fox Research Institute Cancer Research Conference, The Lord Nelson Hotel, Halifax, NS (November 7-8, 2022).
• Rupasinghe, H.P.V., M. Amararathna, and D.W. Hoskin. 2022. Anthocyanin-rich haskap berry as a cancer-preventive superfood. The 21st World Congress of Food Science & Technology. Future of Food: Innovation, Sustainability & Health (IUFoST-2022. Singapore. (October 30 – November 03, 2022).
• Amararathna, M., D.W. Hoskin, and H.P.V. Rupasinghe. 2022. Haskap berry, is it a miracle fruit? The Annual Conference of the Canadian Society of Horticultural Sciences (CSHS-2022). The Lord Nelson Hotel, Halifax, NS (August 18-20, 2022).

More Conference Proceedings

• Food as medicine: Cancer prevention and treatment potential of dietary flavonoids. The Research Symposium of the School of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China. (November 4, 2024).
• Dietary flavonoids and their cancer prevention and treatment potential. The 22nd Conference on International Exchange of Professionals, Shanghai, China. (November 01-03, 2024).
• Plants as medicine: Applications of natural product chemistry in cancer prevention and treatment. Chemistry and Biochemistry Seminar Series. Mount Allison University, Sackville, NB. (October 11, 2024).
• Next generation of prebiotics: Biotransformed grape seed proanthocyanidins exert benefits against nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The 22nd World Congress of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST 2024). Rimini, Italy. (September 8-12, 2024).
• Cancer-management therapeutics from dietary flavonoids and their derivatives. The 10th World Congress on Cancer Research and Therapy. Hotel Duo, Prague, Czech Republic. (June 21-22, 2024).
• Next generation of prebiotics: Postbiotics of condensed tannins have the potential to reduce the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). International Scientific Conference on Probiotics, Prebiotics, Gut Microbiota and Health. Congress Centre, Prague, Czech Republic. (June 18-20, 2024).
• Food as Medicine: Investigations on bioactive phytochemicals to innovate supplemented foods and natural health products. Seminar Series of Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Halifax, NS (April 30, 2024).
• Flavonoids and their derivatives: Applications in cancer prevention and treatment. MTU Chemistry Seminar. Department of Chemistry, Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI, USA. (November 10, 2023).
• Ancient haskap berry for developing phytomedicine. 2023. Dr. Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co. KG, Willmar-Schwabe-Str. 4 76227 Karlsruhe, Germany (July 21, 2023).
• Carvacrol-enriched herbal tea for the management of pharyngitis: Inhibition of Streptococcus pyogenes and anti-inflammatory properties. 2023. Keynote presentation. The 7th Edition of Innovations in Food Science and Human Nutrition (IFHN-2023). Frankfurt, Germany (July 19, 2023).
• Investigation of bioactive compounds of historical functional foods. 2023. Ifremer – National Institute for Ocean Sciences (Ifremer - Centre Atlantique), Nantes, France. (July 4, 2023).
• Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of berry flavonoids: Potential applications in fitness and sports nutrition. 2023. ReachSci Mini-PhD Global Program on Sports & Nutrition. Cambridge University, UK. Online. (June 23, 2023).
• Anti-inflammatory properties of haskap berry bioactives. 2023 AGM of Haskap Canada. Online. (March 31, 2023).
• Guest lecture 2.0 Functional foods and nutraceuticals. Faculty of Science & Technology. Jambi University, Jambi. Indonesia. (February 22, 2023).
• Development and assessment of functional foods and nutraceuticals from Canadian natural resources. Department of Food Science & Technology. National University of Singapore (NUS). Singapore. (November 07, 2022).
• Investigation of health benefits of bioactive phytochemicals isolated from Canadian fruit crops. School of Materials Science & Engineering, Nanyang Technological University. (NTU), Singapore. (November 03, 2022).
• Traditional haskap berry of Asia as a future food for cancer prevention. The 21st World Congress of Food Science & Technology. Future of Food: Innovation, Sustainability & Health (IUFoST-2022). Singapore. (October 30 – November 03, 2022).
• Cancer-management efficacies of dietary flavonoids and their derivatives. Virtual Conference Food-derived NHPs in Health and Disease. The 2022 Annual Conference of the Natural Health Product Research Society of Canada. (June 6-9 and June 13-15, 2022).
• Assessment of haskap berry as a functional food ingredient. 2022 Canadian Food Summit – CIFST National Conference. University of Guelph, Guelph, ON (June 1-3, 2022).
• Food bioactives research program at Dal-AC. Research Reels Program of IMPART net-work of Dalhousie Medicine New Brunswick, Saint John, NB (January 19, 2022).
• Haskap: a small berry with big health benefits. Virtual Annual General Meeting of Haskap Canada. (March 27, 2021).
• Food flavonoids that promote human health. The 5^th World Congress on Food and Nutritional Sciences. San Diego, CA, USA (October 05-06, 2020).
• Flavonoids and their derivatives as potential anticancer agents. 2019. The fourth International Conference on Natural Products Utilization: from Plants to pharmacy shelf (ICNPU-2019). Albena, Bulgaria. (May 29 – June 01, 2019).
• Haskap Research: Health benefits and value-added opportunities. 2019. Annual Seminar of the BC Haskap Association. Samon Arm, Kelowna, BC (April 06, 2019).
• Apple flavonoids and their health benefits. 2019 Annual Convention of Nova Scotia Fruit Growers’ Association. Kentville, NS (January 29-31, 2019). 
• Natural health products for the management of chronic and infectious human diseases. Sichuan Agricultural University, Yaan, China (December 10, 2018).
• Multipotent biological activities of flavonoids isolated from cool climate plants of Atlantic Canada. Mini-research symposium of Sichuan Industrial Institute of Antibiotics, Chengdu University, Chengdu, China (December 4, 2018).
• Plant food flavonoids: promising dietary bioactives to reduce the risk of chronic and metabolic diseases. NRC-Dalhousie Research Symposium, the Steele Ocean Science Building, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS (October 11, 2018).
• Nutraceuticals and functional foods from cool climate fruit crops. The 62nd Annual Conference of Canadian Society of Horticultural Science (CSHS). Niagara Falls, ON (October 04-06, 2018).
• Plant food flavonoids for human health promotion. The 52th Annual Conference of Canadian Food Science & Technology (CIFST). Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON (May 27-29, 2018).
• Plant flavonoids: promising natural (health) products to reduce the risk of chronic and metabolic disorders. The 14th International Natural Products Research Conference, Cuernavaca, Mexico (May 22-25, 2018).
• Fruit flavonoids-inspired functional food and nutraceuticals: Opportunities for CICY and Yukatan. Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán, Mérida, Yucatán, México. (May 21, 2018).
• Haskap: a new berry crop in Canada - health benefits and value-added opportunities. The annual Conference of New Zealand Tree Crops Association, Tauranga, New Zealand (April 6-8, 2018).
• Flavonoids and biological activity: Exploring the value-added opportunities for cool climate fruits. Riddet Institute of Food-Innovation-Health, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. (April 5, 2018).
• Food innovation: Exploring the value-added opportunities for cool climate fruits. Food, Nutrition and Health Division, Plant and Food Research, Palmerston North, New Zealand. (April 4, 2018).
• Flavonoids and biological activity: Exploring the value-added opportunities for cool climate fruits. School of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand. (March 29, 2018).
• Anticancer efficacy of novel acylated flavonoids. Department of Applied Sciences, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University, New Castle, UK. (March 23, 2018).
• Haskap research and development at Dal-AC: An update. Seventh Haskap Research Symposium, Halifax, NS. (November 10, 2017).
• Haskap health benefits and value-added opportunities for cool climate fruits. North 60 Agriculture Conference, Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada (November 3-5, 2017).
• Cancer chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activities of apple peel flavonoids. The 8th International Conference on Polyphenols & Health. Quebec City, QC (October 3-6, 2017).
• Haskap and health: What do we know and current research at Dalhousie University. Research symposium of Haskap Days 2017, Haskap Canada Association, University of Saskatchewan, SK. (July 21, 2017).
• Pleiotrophic antioxidant and biological functions of apple flavonoids. Symposium on food antioxidants: recent progress in in research and clinical evidence. Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax., NS. (March 10, 2017). 
• Food Innovation: Food and nutraceutical opportunities for Qatar. College of North Atlantic-Qatar, Doha, Qatar. (December 5, 2016). 
• Health benefits of haskap berry. Fall Workshop of Haskap Growers’ Association of Nova Scotia. Dalhousie University Agricultural Campus, Truro, NS. (October 29, 2016).
• Apple peel flavonoids AF4 inhibit triple negative breast cancer cell proliferation and migration. The 20th International Conference "Functional and Medical Foods for Chronic Diseases: Bioactive Compounds and Biomarkers". Harvard Medical School, Boston, NY,  USA. (September 22-23, 2016).
• Functional foods and nutraceuticals from cool climate fruit crops. Master Gardener Summer School, Dal-AC, Truro, NS (July 07, 2016).
• Plant flavonoids: Bioefficacy in chronic disease models. 2016. The 13th Annual Natural Health Product Research Society Conference, Charlottetown, PE (May 17-20, 2016).
• Natural products in food chemistry: Flavonoids and their acylated derivatives. NHPRS Pre-Conference Workshop on Analytical Technologies for Natural Product Research.  The 13th Annual Natural Health Product Research Society Conference, Charlottetown, PE (May 16, 2016).
• Disease fighting power of plant-food flavonoids. 2016. Dr. S. Paul Handa Annual Health Research Lecture – Keynote presentation. Interprofessional Health Research Day 2016. Saint John, NB. (March 18, 2016).
• The future of food: Plant food flavonoids for human health. University Seminar Series, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, BC. (February 24, 2016).
• Beyond antioxidants: Plant food flavonoids for human metabolic health. 2016 National Conference of the Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology. Burnaby, BC. (February 22-23, 2016).
• Apple Flavonoids based Functional Foods and Ingredients for the Prevention of Chronic Disorders. Euro Global Summit and Expo on Food & Beverages (Euro-Food 2015). Alicante, Spain (June 16-18, 2015).
• Dietary flavonoids: Can they keep the doctor away? Grand Rounds Seminar Series. Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax. NS. (November 13, 2014).
• Cytoprotective and neuroprotective properties of Canadian partridgeberry. Our Food, Our Future, Research that Feeds Newfoundland and Labrador – 2014. Corner Brook, NL. (November 4-6, 2014).
• Anti-proliferative properties of selected plant polyphenols and their analogs. Beatrice Hunter Cancer Research Institute Seminar Series. Faculty of Medicine, Dalhousie University, Halifax. NS. (June 02, 2014).
• Cardio- and neuro-protective functions of bioactive flavonoids present in cool climate fruits. The 5th International Conference on Natural Products for Health and Beauty. Phuket, Thailand (May 6-8, 2014).
• Haskap: Antioxidant activity and health benefits. Haskap Berry Symposium, Dalhousie University, Halifax (February 20, 2014).
• Biological properties of fruit flavonoids and their acylated derivative long chain fatty acids. Acadia University. Wolfville, NS (October 24, 2013).
• Biocatalytic synthesis, structural elucidation, and Biological activity of long chain fatty acid acylated derivatives of phloridzin and isoquercitrin. The 246th American Chemical Society (ACS) National Meeting. Indianapolis, IN, USA (September 8-12, 2013).
• Cardioprotective and neuroprotective properties of apple flavonoids. University of Moncton, Moncton, NB (November 15, 2012).
• Nutraceuticals from processing waste: Disease fighting properties of fruit bioactives. Atlantic Canada Bio-refinery Conference. Shediac, NB (June 19, 2012).
• Antioxidant, nuroprotective and cardioprotective properties of apple flavonoids. The 50th National Conference of the Canadian Institute of Food science and Technology (CIFST), Niagara Falls, ON. (May 27, 2012).
• Value-added fruit processing and human health: Global perspectives. International Conference on Postharvest Management and Technology for food Security, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia (May 21, 2012).
  
• Biological active compounds of cool climate fruits. Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Addis Ababa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (May 18, 2012).
• Inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) by fruit flavonoids in regulation of hypertension. The second World Congress on Diabetes and Metabolism. Philadelphia, PN, USA (December 6-8, 2011).
• Antioxidant properties of glycosylated flavonols. BIT’s 4th Annual World Congress of Industrial Biotechnology – 2011 (iBio2011),  Dalian, China (April 25-30, 2011).
• Antioxidant capacity and PUFA oxidation inhibition properties of berry extracts. The 6th International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies (PacifiChem2010), Honolulu, Hawaii. USA. (December 15-20, 2010).
• Value-added processing and bioproducts of fruit crops. The Southern Labrador Development Corporation, Labrador, NL. (July 29, 2010).
• Antioxidant protection of omega-3 fatty acids by bioactive apple flavonoids. The 7th Annual Conference of Natural Health Product Research Society of Canada (NHPRS), Halifax, NS Pharmaceutical Biology 48S1: 16-17. (May 23 – 26, 2010).
• Apple-derived antioxidants and value-added food products. The 146th Annual Meeting of the Nova Scotia Fruit Growers’ Association. Kentville, NS. (Jan. 28, 2010).
• Flavonoids from fruits for human health promotion. Department of Pharmacology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS. (April 23, 2009)
• Dietary quercetin glycosides: A review of current understanding of metabolism and antioxidant action. International Conference and Exhibition on Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods - 2008, Taichung, Taiwan. (November 14-17, 2008)