Muzaffarpur/ Varanasi, Oct 28 : BHU Senior Professor and Vice-Chancellor of B.R. Ambedkar Bihar University (BRABU), Prof. Dinesh Chandra Rai, has his status as a global luminary in food technology and waste valorization powerfully confirmed by his latest groundbreaking study.

This research, "Bioactive profiling of valorized yoghurt incorporated with dragon fruit peel powder using LC-MS metabolomics," published in the high-impact Q1 journal Food Chemistry: Advances The journal is noted for its strong metrics, with a impressive Impact Factor of 4.8. The study is a significant development because it provides a scientifically validated roadmap for transforming discarded dragon fruit peel—rich in antioxidants and dietary fibre—into a premium, functional ingredient for products like yoghurt.
Prof. Dinesh Chandra Rai asserts that this is more than just academic research; it is a blueprint for the future of sustainable food manufacturing. The central message of this work is 'Nutrient Circularity'.
We must shift our mindset from 'waste' to 'resource'," Prof. Rai stated. "Agricultural by-products like the dragon fruit peel are not garbage; they are concentrated sources of health-promoting bioactives that consumers demand. This new methodology provides the food industry with a triple advantage: it dramatically reduces organic waste, offers a natural, clean-label ingredient, and significantly boosts the nutritional profile of the final product."
He elaborated on the economic and health implications: For the food industry, this means a pathway to developing next-generation functional foods without relying on expensive, synthetic additives. We’ve demonstrated that even a simple product like yoghurt can become a powerhouse of antioxidants using a discarded material. This is crucial for improving public health by making high-value nutrition accessible, while simultaneously promoting environmental sustainability across the supply chain. This is a model that is robust, replicable, and ready for commercial scale-up across India."
The groundbreaking paper was co-authored by Nyato Riba, Manish Kumar Singh, and Shankar Lal. This research involved a collaborative effort with scientists and researchers from three key institutions: Mizoram University, the National Dairy Research Institute, and Banaras Hindu University. Among the co-authors, Nyato Riba and Manish Kumar Singh were noted as being key contributors.
Prof. Rai paused to acknowledge the foundation of this sustained volume of high-impact work. "The credit for this truly belongs to my dedicated and brilliant research team. Their tireless effort and intellectual rigour make all these breakthroughs possible," he added.
The academic fraternity and alumni associations from both Banaras Hindu University (BHU) and B.R. Ambedkar Bihar University have extended profound congratulations to Prof. Rai on his exceptional research achievements and his visionary leadership.
Notable figures who have praised Prof. Rai's accomplishments include Proctor Prof. B.S. Rai, L.S. College Principal Prof. Kanupriya, Prof. Rajeev Kumar, Prof. T.K. Dey, Dr. Shartendu Shekhar and Dr. Navin Kumar, among others.