FoodTechno 2024 themed ‘Science for Sustainable Food Systems’, was held on 05^th of October 2024 at the Renuka City Hotel, Colombo 03, from 8.00 am to 5.00 pm, providing an valuable opportunity for Sri Lankan Researchers in the Food sector. The total number of presenters was 23 including 9 oral and 14 poster presentations.

The primary objective of this event is to showcase the applied research conducted in universities and other research institutes across Sri Lanka to the food industry, fostering opportunities to leverage this research for industrial benefit. Additionally, it provides a common platform for key stakeholders in Sri Lanka’s food sector to engage in research dialogue, paving the way for innovations that contribute to a sustainable future.

This event was embraced by the Chief Guest - Mr. M. P. N. M. Wickramasinghe, Secretary - Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Livestock, Irrigation, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources and

The Keynote Address by Prof. Buddhi Marambe, Senior Professor – Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya under the topic ‘Science for sustainable food systems’

In addition, there were five plenary speakers delivered speeches online and onsite:

• Prof. Upali Samarajeewa, Emeritus Professor - University of Peradeniya  ‘Moving from student research to future’_ Online
• Dr. Rohantha Athukorala, President - Clootrack Artificial Intelligence Global Company ‘Research and Economic Aspects of Sustainable Food Systems’
• Dr. Sudarshana Somasiri, Additional Director General – Technical Services, Industrial Technology Institute - ‘Present laboratory & testing capacity for food sector in Sri Lanka’
• Mr. Nishan Perera, Chief Executive Officer - CMC Engineering Export GMBH ‘Challenges and the way forward for local Food Businesses’
• Mr. Dhammika Gunasekara, Managing Director -Tropical Life Pvt. Ltd ‘Unexploited potential of export food business in Sri Lanka’

We thank Control Union Inspection (Pvt) Ltd, MA’s tropical food processing (Pvt) Ltd, Maliban Biscuit Manufactories, and Country Style Foods (Pvt) Ltd for sponsoring the event.

• Sandareka M.K. & Perera O.D.A.N.  ‘Development of meat analogue using oyster mushrooms and enrichment with rice bran protein: extraction and characterization’
• Nishadhi,R. R., Binduhewa A.M.C.U., Samarasinghe U.K.A., Liyanaarachchi G.D., Vasantharuba S., & Kathirgamanathar S. ‘Development of instant pudding mix using Pentadesma butyracea African butternut) seed cake and evaluation of bioactivity and shelf life’
• Samarasinghe S.A.I.I. & Buddhapriya A.N. ‘Awareness and compliance with food safety and quality legislation among Sri Lankan youth: a cross-sectional study’
• Dilrukshi S.H.B. & Somapala E.G. ‘Detection of synthetic food colorants in confectioneries available in Gampaha district, Sri Lanka’
• Kariyawasam K.P., Wickramaarachchi L.A., & Herath H.M.T. ‘Development of grain-based meat analogue and analysis of sensorial and physical properties’
• Wijewardane R.M.N.A. & Wijesinghe K.D.B.V.‘Enhancement of quality attributes of selected local cereals and pulses to develop a milk substitute’
• Hussain Z., Kandiah M., Gunaratne B. & Perera O.  ‘Melamine detection in milk using green synthesized silver nanoparticles from red flowers of Hibiscus rosa-sinesis’
• Peiris P.H.A., Aththanayake A.M.K.C.B., Priyadarshani W.M.D., Rajapakse M., Udalamaththa A.V.L.K. ‘Extraction, characterization and stability analysis of a marine-derived bacterial crude biopigment to be used as a natural food colouring agent’
• Madhawa J.K.R., Rajapakse R.P.N.P., Mendis B.E.P., Harischandra T. ‘Process optimization to extract essential oil and oleoresin from the different grades of cinnamon [Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume] bark and screening of antioxidant activity, and essential oil composition’

‘Process optimization to extract essential oil and oleoresin from the different grades of cinnamon [Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume] bark and screening of antioxidant activity, and essential oil composition’

• Rathnayake R.M.C.U., Somapala E.G., Senevirathne D. and Ambepitiya I.J - Development and optimization of a method using uv-vis spectrophotometry for the quantitative analysis of monosodium glutamate to be applied in food samples
• Danoshya N. and Thanuja S.  - Development of pasta supplemented with Villard mango pulp and canistel fruit powder
• Rathnayake R.M.K.T., Jayasuriya C.K. and Premachandra J.K - Analysing tea quality parameters, including caffeine content, polyphenol content and pesticide residues in commercially available tea samples from the Sri Lankan market
• Jayathilake H.U., Senarath H.P.S. and Chamara S.  - Brined green peppercorn (Piper nigrum) as a functional product for the export market
• Danthanarayana V.S. and Jayathunga J.W.A.U.Y. - Detection of red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum) life cycle stages in wheat flour using a modified sieving technique
• Bandara J.M.S.P., Mendis B.E.P. and Rajapakse R.P.N.P - Determination of phenolic content, antioxidant and sensory quality of selected flower tea infusions
• Kariyawasam K.P., Wickramaarachchi L.A. and Herath H.M.T. - A comparative nutritional analysis of chickpea based and wheat flour based meat analogue formulations
• Ramasinghe R.C.M., Rajawardhana D.U., Mendis B.E.P., Rajapakse R.P.N.P. and Chasna M.R.P. - Effect of potassium sorbate on the survivability and functionality of yoghurt culture
• Ekanayaka E.M.G.S., Perera O.D.A.N. and Warnakulasuriya S.N. - Study on market acceptability of locally available processed fruit and vegetable products in three districts of Sri Lanka