Keya Himanshu Patel

Profile

I’m a PhD researcher in Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Leeds, where my work focuses on exploring how alternative protein sources like duckweed and Chlorella can impact food quality and gut health. My interest lies in creating sustainable, functional food solutions that not only support health but also address global nutritional challenges. With a background rooted in microbiology, biotechnology, and food science, I enjoy connecting lab-based research with real-world applications. At Leeds, I completed an MSc in Food Science, where I investigated how chitosan-based coatings with lemongrass essential oil could extend the shelf life and enhance the antioxidant profile of sweet potatoes. Prior to that, during my MSc in Biotechnology at Vellore Institute of Technology, I explored probiotic potential in fermented foods using natural sources like banana flower and Asian palmyra palm. Earlier, my undergraduate research in microbiology earned recognition for developing hairy root cultures in Catharanthus roseus to produce medicinal alkaloids.

Alongside my academic work, I gained hands-on experience in the dairy industry through an internship at AMUL Fed Dairy in India.That experience reinforced my passion for food safety and deepened my understanding of how science translates into everyday practice. I'm driven by a desire to contribute to a more sustainable food future through innovation, collaboration, and evidence-based research.

Research interests

• Sustainable and alternative protein sources

• Functional foods and bioactive compounds

• Natural food preservation and edible coatings

• Probiotic fermentation and microbial metabolite profiling

• Plant-based biotechnological systems for bioactive compound production

• Food quality assurance and safety systems (HACCP, GMP)

• Microbiological risk assessment in food processing environments

• Nutritional enhancement of plant-based food products

Qualifications

• MSc Food Science, University of Leeds
• MSc Biotechnology, Vellore Institute of Technology, India
• Bsc (hons) Microbiology, Amity University Rajasthan, India