Personal Information
Name : Dr. R. B. Smitha
Designation: Assistant Professor
E-mail : rbsmitha@gmail.com
Mobile: 9446100148
Educational Qualifications
| SI. No. | Name of the Program/ Test | Institution & University/ Agency | Year |
| 1. | M. Sc. | University of Kerala | 2003 |
| 2. | B. Ed. | University of Calicut | 2004 |
| 3. | M. Phil | University of Kerala | 2006 |
| 4. | Ph. D | University of Calicut | 2010 |
Career Profile:
| SI.No. | Name of the Institution | Designation | Period of Service |
| 1. | St. Thomas College, Thrissur | FDP Lecturer | 2 |
| 2. | Central University of Kerala | Assistant Professor (Adhoc) | 2 |
| 3. | KSCSTE-MBGIPS, Calicut | Young Scientist
Principal Investigator Women Scientist |
3
3 2 |
Area of Specialization/Research Interests:
Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Tissue Culture, Biotechnology
Achievements
- Gregor Mendel Foundation of University of Calicut awarded “Best Organizer” for the best organization of the National Seminar organized on “Patents, Plant breeding, Biotechnology and Conservation” from 1-3rd Dec. 2015 at Malabar Botanical Garden & Institute for Plant Sciences (Co-Convener).
- Society for Education and Scientific Research (SESR) selected Best Microbiologist of the year 2015.
6 Inventions
- Invented Twenty Two new hydrocarbon degrading bacteria, from oil contaminated sites and submitted to Genbank (The Hindu & All Kerala News papers– August 14).
- Invented Five new hydrocarbon degrading fungi, from oil contaminated sites and submitted to Genbank.
- Invented 15 new plastic degrading bacteria from plastic recycling unit, West Hill, Calicut and submitted to Genbank (The Hindu – 2016).
Patent (Provisional Number 339/DEL/2012)
A process for the dual production of α-amylase and Bt-toxin by Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki and efficacy of Bt-toxin to combat coconut mite. Sailas Benjamin, Smitha RB and Jisha VN. (Patent Filed through the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India ).
Major projects Completed
- DST Sanctioned Young scientist Fellowship of 31.0 lakhs (No. SERB/LS-587/2013) Dated 20th September, 2013. Project titled “Isolation and purification of Catechol 2, 3 dioxygenase-a key Hydrocarbon degrading enzyme from industrial wastes”.
- Kerala Biotechnology Commission sanctioned Young Investigators Programme in Biotechnology of Rs. 23.32 Lakhs (No. 048/YIPB/KBC/2017/KSCSTE) dated 16th October 2017. Project titled “Application of Bacterial strains for the production of Biodegradable plastics from weed plants”
Ongoing
DST Sanctioned Women Scientist Fellowship of 34. 14 Lakhs (DST/WOS-B/2018/1272(G) dated 31st October 2019. Project titled “Potential applications of naturally isolated bacterial strains for the production of biodegradable plastics”.
Research Publications:
| SI.No. | Details of article |
| 1. | Smitha R.B., Bennans T., Mohankumar C. and Benjamin S. (2009). Oxidative stress enzymes in Ficus religiosa L.: Biochemical, histochemical and anatomical evidences. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, 95: 17 – 25. Impact factor 2.814. ISSN No. 1011-1344. |
| 2. | Abhilash P., Pradeep S., Smitha R.B., Jisha V.N., Balachandran S. and Benjamin S. (2009). Effect of certain anti-diabetic ayurvedic drugs against microbes causing diabetes- dependent infections. Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology, 3: 503-516. Impact factor – 1.0. ISSN No. 0973-7510. |
| 3. | C. Athira, Rilma Rappai, Joseph Louis Olekkengil and R.B. Smitha* (2011). Efficacy studies of δ- endotoxins from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki against Aphis craccivora and Ferrisia virgata. Journal of Actabiologica. eISSN No. 2279-0160. |
| 4. | Rilma Rappai, C. Athira, Joseph Louis Olekkengil and R.B. Smitha* (2011). Efficacy studies of δ- endotoxins from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki against Red cotton bug, Dysdercus singulatus. Journal of Actabiologica. eISSN No. 2279-0160. |
| 5. | R B Smitha, S Pradeep, S Sajith, S Sreedevi, VN Jisha, KN Unni, M K Sarath Josh and Sailas Benjamin (2013). A monograph on amylases from Bacillus spp. Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology, 4: 227-241. Impact factor 1.778. ISSN No. 2156-8502. |
| 6. | Smitha RB, Jisha VN and Sailas Benjamin (2013). Potato flour is an efficient supplement for the enhanced production of endospore and -endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki by solid-state fermentation. Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering 116: 595-601. Impact factor 2.149. ISSN No. 1389-1723 |
| 7. | Jisha VN, Smitha RB, Pradeep S, Sreedevi S, Unni KN, Sajith S, Priji P, Sarath JM and Sailas Benjamin (2013). Versatality of microbial proteases. Advances in Enzyme Research, 1 : 39 – 51. ISSN Online: 2328-4854. |
| 8. | Smitha RB, Jisha VN, Sajith S and Sailas Benjamin (2013). Dual Production of Amylase and δ-Endotoxin by Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki during Biphasic Fermentation. Microbiology, 82: 794–800. Impact factor – 2.852. |
| 9. | Jisha VN, Smitha RB and Sailas Benjamin (2013). An Overview on the Crystal Toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis. Advances in Microbiology, 3: 462-472. Impact factor – ISSN Online: 2165-3410 |
| 10. | Drisyadas P, Smitha RB, Benjamin S and Madhusoodnan PV (2014). Induction of in vitro flowering and callogenesis in Blepharis maderaspatensis L. (Acanthaceae), a medicinal plant. Annalas of Plant Sciences, 3(08): 799-803 |
| 11. | Sini S, Smitha RB and Madhusoodanan PV (2014). Induction of sporocarp development in vitro in the mosquito fern, Azolla rubra R. Br. Annals of Plant Sciences, 4(02): 994 – 1002. |
| 12. | Smitha RB, Madhusoodanan PV and Prakashkumar R (2014). Anticancer activity of Acanthus ilicifolius Linn. From Chettuva mangroves, Kerala, India. International Journal of Bioassays, 3(11): 3452-3455 |
| 13. | Madhusoodanan PV, Sreeranjini VK, Smitha RB and Prakashkumar R (2014). Invasion of Salvinia molesta D.S. Mitchell (African payal) in Kerala and its management. Indian Fern Journal, 31: 162-172. |
| 14. | Madhusoodanan PV, Prakshkumar R, Sreernjini VK and Smitha RB (2014). Ecology of South Indian Pteridophytes. Indian Fern Journal, 31: 173 -186. |
| 15. | Smitha RB, Priji P, Sajith S, Ramani N and Benjamin S (2015). Efficiency of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki in crude solid fermented matter against the coconut pest, Aceria guerreronis. Bt Research, 6 (2): 1-10 |
| 16. | Smitha RB, Sajith S, Priji P, Unni KN, Asokan T, Roy N and Benjamin S (2015). Purification and characterization of amylase from Bacillus thuringiensissubsp. Kurstaki. Bt Research, 6(3): 1-8. |
| 17. | Jisha VN, Smitha RB, Priji P, Sajith S and Benjamin S (2015). Biphasic fermentation is an efficient strategy for the overproduction of δ-endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, 175: 1519-1535. |
| 18. | Surya KP, Smitha RB, Anoop KP, Prakashkumar R and Madhusoodanan PV (2015). Induction of seed germination in the RET medicinal plant, Jyothishmathi (Celastrus paniculatus Willd.). International Journal of Plant, Animal and Environmental Sciences, 6(3): 18-24 |
| 19. | Jisha VN, Sajith S, Priji P, Smitha RB and Benjamin S (2015). Thermo and detergent stable alkaline protease from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki. Bt Research, 6(6): 1- 10. |
| 20. | Swetha T , Anusree P , Saranya BJCM, Smitha RB , Minoo D, Madhusoodanan PV and Prakashkmar R (2018). In vitro conservation and propagation of the endemic species of “floating hearts” (Nymphoides krishnakesara Joseph and Sivar. – Menyanthaceae) as a conservation strategy. Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology Vol. 6(04), pp. 9-13 |
| 21. | Jisha VN, Smitha RB, Priji P, Panichikkal AF, Ramani N, Babu GM and Benjamin S (2017). Crude Bacillus thuringiensis pellets efficiently combats Eutetranychus orientalis, the spider mite. International Journal of Pest Management, DOI: 10.1080/09670874.2017.1390622. |
Books
| SI.No. | Name of the book | Publisher | ISBN No. | Author/Co-Author/Editor |
| 1. | Fermentation Strategies for the production of α-amylase and δ-endotoxin from Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki. | Avid Sciences, Germany | ISBN No.: 978-93-88170-45-1. | RB Smitha, Sailas Benjamin and Prakashkumar R (2019) |
| 2. | Waste Management | MBGIPS | ISBN No.: 978-81-931285-4-1. | RB Smitha, NS Pradeep & S Pradeep Kumar (2019) |
| 3. | Book of Abstracts on Patents, Plant Breeding, Biotechnology & Conservation | MBGIPS | ISBN No.: 978-81-931285-1-0. | RB Smitha, NS Pradeep, KV Mohanan, PV Madhusoodanan and R Prakashkumar (2015) |
| 4. | Advances and Challenges in Plant Breeding, Biotechnology & Conservation | MBGIPS | ISBN No.: 978-81-931285-1-3. | RB Smitha, R Prakashkumar, NS Pradeep, KV Mohanan and PV Madhusoodanan (2016) |
Seminars /Workshops Attended/Papers Presented/ Invited talks
| SI.No. | Venue & Name of the program | Participation/Invited/Contributory | Title of the Paper |
| 1. | NGBT 2019 at Taj Lands Hotel Mumbai from 2nd to 4th October 2019 | Oral presentation | Isolation and partial purification of Catechol 2,3 dioxygenase from Aspergillus flavus-an oil degrading fungus. |
| 2. | International Biodiversity Congress (IBC 2018) 4-6 th October 2018 at Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, India. | Oral presentation | Isolation and partial purification of Catechol 2,3-dioxygenase from Paeciliomyces fumosus-an oil degrading fungus. |
| 3. | International conference on Biosciences-state of the art achievements held at Lake song Resort Kumarkom on 11-12th September 2014. | Oral presentation | Effect of endosulfan on certain biochemical and histochemical mechanisms in Vigna sinensis. |
| 4. | First International conference on Biotechnology, Bioinformatics and Bioengineering conducted on 28 – 29 June 2013 at Tirupati | Oral presentation | Isolation of bacterial and fungal pathogen and demonstration of Koch postulates. |
| 5. | International symbosium –cum-workshop in Acarology organized by Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalyani, West Bengal, India from 8th to 10th April 2010. | Oral presentation | Antioxidant effect of Nigella sativa and Cuminum cyminum. |
| 6. | Proceedings of the national Seminar on “Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology”, Gregor Mendel Foundation, University of Calicut. | Oral presentation | Isolation and characterization Bacillus spp. |
| 7. | Proceedings of the UGC sponsored National seminar on conservation and sustainable utilization of red listed medicinal plants of Western Ghats of India during September 2 – 3, 2010 at Newmann College Thodupuzha. | Oral presentation | Effect of Kinetin (6BA) on certain biochemical characteristics in rice under saline stress. |
| 8. | Proceedings of the UGC sponsored National seminar on conservation and sustainable utilization of red listed medicinal plants of Western Ghats of India | Oral presentation | Antioxidant effect of Nigella sativa and Cuminum cyminum against rats. |
| 9. | Proceedings of the UGC sponsored National seminar on conservation and sustainable utilization of redlisted medicinal plants of Western Ghats of India. | Oral presentation | Antibacterial Activity of Saraca asoca and Polyalthia longifolia against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia. |
| 10. | Proceedings of the UGC sponsored National seminar on conservation and sustainable utilization of red listed medicinal plants of Western Ghats of India. | Oral presentation | Antiviral activity of Azadirachta Indica, A. Juss. against Newcastle Disease Virus. |
| 11 | Proceedings of the national Seminar on “Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology”, Gregor Mendel Foundation, University of Calicut. | Oral presentation | Isolation and characterization Bacillus spp. |
| 12 | World Ocean Science Congress, 5-8 February, 2015 at Cochi | Oral presentation | Isolation and characterisation of hydrocarbon degrading bacteria from engine oil polluted areas of Thrissur district |
| 13 | National seminar on Modern Trends in Conservation, Utilization and Improvement of Plant Genetic Resources, 2017 at University of Kerala | Oral presentation | Isolation and characterization of C23O from Paeciliomyces fumoses-an oil degrading fungus. |
| 11. | North Corollina Agricultural University, Greensboro, New York from April 8 – 12, 2011. | Oral presentation | Seminar cum workshop on DNA bioinformatics |
| 12. | Bidhan Chandra Krishi Vidhyala, West Bengal, Calcutta from April 8 – 10, 2010. | Oral presentation | International symposium cum workshop in Acarology symposium |
| 13 | February 12 – 14, 2014, Department of Chemistry, Central University of Kerala. | Attended | “Teachers Training Programme on Microscale Chemistry” |
| 14 | Centre for infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation and Urban Planning (CiSTUP), Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore during September 23 – 25, 2009. | Attended | “Workshop on Urban lake Monitoring and Management” |
| 15 | Department of Botany, St. Joseph’s College, Iringalakuda from September 29 – 30, 2010. | Attended | “National seminar cum Workshop on Herbs and Herbal products” |
| 16 | Amala Ayurvedic Research Centre on February 2010. | Attended | Seminar cum exhibition on medicinal plants |
| 17 | Department of NanoScience and Technology in association with Department of Chemistry, University of Calicut during August 25 – 26, 2009. | Attended | National Workshop on Advances in Nanomaterials” |
| 18 | Department of Life Science, University of Calicut on 13th February, 2008. | Attended | National Seminar on Neuroscience |
| Centre for Environment and Development at Kozhikode during December 15 – 16, 2006 | Attended | Kerala Environment Congress |
Programs Organized
| SI.No. | Name of the Program | International/National/Regional | Funding Agency |
| 1. | National Seminar on Molecular Trends in Taxonomy & Biodiversity Conservation | National | UGC |
| 2. | Sasthrasameeksha 2016-2018 | National | KSCSTE |
| 3. | Bionidhi 2015 – 2018 | National | KSCSTE |
| 4. | GMF-2015 | National | UGC & GMF |
Positions held or holding if any
| 1. | Class Teacher of Second year M. Sc. |
Courses attended for Professional Development:
| SI. No. | Name of the course | Organizing Institute | Period |
| 1.
|
Diploma in Microbial Biotechnology
|
Best Biotek Research Labs (P) Ltd., Jayanagar, Bangalore | April – May 2006.
|
Membership in Scientific/Professional Societies
| SI. No | Name of the Society | Nature of the Membership |
| 1. | Kerala Academy of Sciences | Lifetime |
| 2. | Society for Educational & Scientific Research | Lifetime |
| 3. | National Academy of Biological Sciences | Lifetime |
| 4. | Gregor Mendel Foundation | Lifetime |
| 5. | Indian Acarology Society | Lifetime |
