
- Qualification
Ph.D, M.Tech, B.Tech
- Designation
Guest Faculty
- Thrust Area
Food Packaging, Waste Utilization, Food Processing and Preservation
- Address
Centre for Food science and Technology
- Mobile
7006650527
- Email
junaidpir24@gmail.com
- Time Table
I am a Food Science Researcher and Educator specializing in Sustainable Packaging, Food Quality Analysis, and Innovative Material Development. I hold a Ph.D. in Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology from Aligarh Muslim University. I also did my M.Tech in Agricultural Process and Food Engineering from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and my B.Tech in Food Technology from the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Kashmir, India.
My expertise lies in biodegradable films, edible coatings, and nanocomposite materials aimed at improving food safety and extending shelf-life. I have gained diverse experience across research, academia, and industry, having worked as a Senior Research Fellow at National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship and Management, Thanjavur (NIFTEM-T), Project Associate-II at CSIR-Central Scientific Instruments Organisation, Chandigarh, and Lab Analyst at AMU, along with industry experience as a Quality Control Analyst.
I have authored 16+ research articles and 13 book chapters and actively contribute to the scientific community as a reviewer and editorial board member for reputed journals. My research interests include biopolymers, nanomaterials, 3D/4D food printing, agro-waste utilization, and circular economy approaches in sustainable food systems.
- Plasma Activated Water in Enhancing Food Safety and Quality: A Comprehensive Review
Plasma-activated water (PAW) is an innovative, eco-friendly technology that offers significant potential as a disinfectant in the food processing. Plasma-activated water is produced by subjecting water to cold plasma containing reactive species. This renders numerous microbes, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, inactive by breaking their cell membranes and DNA, thereby imparting antibacterial characteristics. PAW is highly effective in reducing microbial load on the surfaces of diverse food items, including vegetables, fruits, cereals, meat, fish, shellfish, and dairy products. In contrast to traditional thermal disinfection methods, PAW is a nonthermal approach that improves food safety while preserving product quality. The interaction of plasma with water endows it with exceptional chemical characteristics that confer microbicidal activity. The work elucidates the mechanisms of antibacterial action by PAW, primarily through the production of oxidative and physical stress in bacterial cells. Empirical research substantiates PAW’s efficacy in surface decontamination of food products across several categories and in promoting seed germination and plant growth. The purpose of the review is to examine the impact of PAW on food processing, food safety, and food quality. The review encompassed the impact of Plasma Activated Water on the disinfection of fruits and vegetables. It examines the antibacterial mechanisms of PAW and the chemical decontamination processes utilising PAW. The impact of PAW on biochemical properties, vitamins, antioxidants, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, and sensory attributes is analyzed.
- Polysaccharide-based biopolymers: exploring film fabrication techniques, molecular interactions, and their potential food applications
Polysaccharide-based biopolymers have emerged as sustainable alternatives to conventional petroleum-derived plastics in food packaging because of their natural abundance, biodegradability, and film-forming ability. Common polysaccharides, such as starch, cellulose, alginate, and chitosan, offer eco-friendly packaging solutions that reduce environmental impact while maintaining food quality. This review explores the development of polysaccharides-based films, emphasizing recent advances in their mechanical, barrier, and functional properties. Various fabrication methods and the incorporation of bioactive compounds have significantly improved their antimicrobial and antioxidant performance, contributing to enhanced shelf life and safety of packaged foods. The integration of nanomaterials has addressed limitations, such as poor water resistance and mechanical weakness, enabling the creation of nanocomposite systems with superior properties. The review discusses regulatory aspects, biodegradability, and challenges in commercializing these materials, including cost, scalability, and compliance. A special focus is placed on the molecular-level interactions between polysaccharides and additives, which play a crucial role in determining the stability and functionality of films. Polysaccharide-based biopolymers present a promising pathway toward environmentally responsible, active, and intelligent packaging solutions in the food industry.
- A Critical Review of Chlorine Dioxide as a Versatile Food Preservative: Mechanisms, Generation Methods, Potential Applications, Opportunities, and Challenges
Polysaccharide-based biopolymers have emerged as sustainable alternatives to conventional petroleum-derived plastics in food packaging because of their natural abundance, biodegradability, and film-forming ability. Common polysaccharides, such as starch, cellulose, alginate, and chitosan, offer eco-friendly packaging solutions that reduce environmental impact while maintaining food quality. This review explores the development of polysaccharides-based films, emphasizing recent advances in their mechanical, barrier, and functional properties. Various fabrication methods and the incorporation of bioactive compounds have significantly improved their antimicrobial and antioxidant performance, contributing to enhanced shelf life and safety of packaged foods. The integration of nanomaterials has addressed limitations, such as poor water resistance and mechanical weakness, enabling the creation of nanocomposite systems with superior properties. The review discusses regulatory aspects, biodegradability, and challenges in commercializing these materials, including cost, scalability, and compliance. A special focus is placed on the molecular-level interactions between polysaccharides and additives, which play a crucial role in determining the stability and functionality of films. Polysaccharide-based biopolymers present a promising pathway toward environmentally responsible, active, and intelligent packaging solutions in the food industry.

