Dr(Mrs). B.G.S. Jayarathna

Senior Lecturer ( Grade -II )

Department of Animal Science,
Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna,
Mapalana, Kamburupitiya,
Sri Lanka 81100

Research Interests

Qualifications

Ph.D. in Food Science | Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Sweden
M.Sc. in Food Science | Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) / University of Peradeniya
B.Sc. in Animal Science and Fisheries | University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Biography

Shishanthi Jayarathna is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Animal Science at the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka. Her research interests include Animal Product Processing, Sustainable Livestock Systems, Dairy Technology, and Functional Foods. Her work bridges Animal Science, Food Science, and Sustainability to develop practical solutions for food security and ethical animal production.

Journal Publications

Total: 17

Priyashantha, H., Nakandalage, R., Pelpolage, S. W., & Jayarathna, S. (2025). Incorporation of fruits or fruit pulp into yoghurts: recent developments, challenges, and opportunities. International Dairy Journal, 161.

Priyashantha, H., Kurukulasuriya, M., Ranadheera, S., Jayarathna, S., & Vidanarachchi, J. K. (2025). Biofortification as a sustainable solution to combat micronutrient malnutrition in the global south with a focus on Sri Lanka: potential, challenges, and policy implications. Food Reviews International.

Wijesekara, A., Weerasingha, V., Jayarathna, S., & Priyashantha, H. (2025). Microbial Strains in Fermented Dairy: Unlocking Biofunctional Properties and Health Benefits. Fermentation, 11.

Priyashantha, H., Jayathissa, I. S., Jayarathna, S., & Vidanarachchi, J. K. (2025). Role of A2 milk in rural transformations: Health benefits, market potential, and sustainable production pathways. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology.

Priyashantha, H., Seresinhe, T., Pathirana, I., Jayarathna, S., & Vidanarachchi, J. K. (2025). Livestock and poultry production in Sri Lanka: challenges and strategies for climate-resilient food security. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 9.

Dilkushi, S., Jayarathna, S., Manipura, A., & Priyashantha, H. (2024). Development and Characterization of Biocomposite Films using Banana Pseudostem, Cassava Starch and Poly(vinyl alcohol): A Sustainable Packaging Alternative. Food Packaging and Shelf Life, 41, 101239.

Jayarathna, S., Hofvander, P., Nestor, G., & Andersson, R. (2024). GBSS mutations in an SBE mutated background restore the potato starch granule morphology and produce ordered granules despite differences to native molecular structure. Carbohydrate Polymers, 329, 121766.

Jayarathna, S., Nestor, G., & Andersson, R. (2024). Impact of mutations in starch synthesis genes on morphological, compositional, molecular structure, and functional properties of potato starch. Food Hydrocolloids, 157, 110437.

Jayarathna, S., Jin, Y., Dotsenko, G., Vilaplana, F., & Andersson, R. (2023). High fructan barley lines produced by selective breeding may alter β-glucan and amylopectin molecular structure. Carbohydrate Polymers, 311, 120782.

Wijekoon, W., Kumarasinghe, U., Alahakoon, A., & Priyashantha, H. (2023). Can Dawul Kurundu (Neolitsea involucrate) leaf extract be used as a plant-based stabilizer in set yoghurt production? International Journal of Dairy Technology, 76(4).

Wijesekara, A., Weerasingha, V., Jayarathna, S., & Priyashantha, H. (2022). Quality parameters of natural phenolics and its impact on physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory quality attributes of probiotic stirred yogurt during the storage. Foods, 11(9), 1350.

Jayarathna, S., Andersson, M., & Andersson, R. (2022). Recent Advances in Starch-Based Blends and Composites for Bioplastics Applications. Polymers, 14(21), 4557.

Zhao, X., Jayarathna, S., Turesson, H., Andersson, M., & Andersson, R. (2021). Amylose starch with no detectable branching developed through DNA-free CRISPR-Cas9 mediated mutagenesis of two starch branching enzymes in potato. Scientific Reports, 11, 4311.

Priyashantha, H., Johansson, M., Langton, M., Hetta, M., Jayarathna, S., & Lundh, A. S. (2021). Variation in Dairy Milk Composition and Properties has Little Impact on Cheese Ripening: Insights from a Traditional Swedish Long-Ripening Cheese. Journal of Dairy Science, 104(6).

Rasmusson, A. J., Just, D., Jayarathna, S., Kugelberg, E., Cunningham, J. L., & Koskiniemi, S. (2021). Fecal Short-Chain Fatty Acid Ratios as related to Gastrointestinal and Depressive Symptoms in Young Adults. Psychosomatic Medicine, 83(7), 693–699.

Jayarathna, S., Priyashantha, H., Johansson, M., & Liyanage, R. (2020). Probiotic enriched fermented soy-gel as a vegan substitute for dairy yoghurt. LWT - Food Science and Technology, 134, 110213.

Cunningham, J. L., Bramstång, L., Singh, A., Jayarathna, S., Rasmusson, A. J., & Just, D. (2020). Impact of time and temperature on gut microbiota and SCFA composition in stool samples. PLOS ONE, 15(8), e0236944.

Books / Book Chapters

Total: 2

Priyashantha, H., Ranadheera, S., Senadheera, T., Jayarathna, S., & Vidanarachchi, J. K. (2023). Use of Proteolytic Activity of Ficus carica in Milk Coagulation. In: Plant-Derived Proteases in Food Science. (Book Chapter).

Jayarathna, S., Vidanarachchi, J. K., Marambe, B., & Priyashantha, H. (2025). Integrating Climate Change Adaptation into Organic Micro-Farming: Enhancing Community Resilience in Urban Food Production in Sri Lanka. (Book Chapter).

Conference Publications

Total: 4

Dilkushi, S., Vidanarachchi, J., Manipura, A., Jayarathna, S., & Chamara, B. S. (2022). Development of a Bioplastic Composite as an Alternative for the Conventional Plastic Packaging for Set-Yoghurt. [Conference Paper, Proceedings of the Annual Sessions of PGIA, Dec 2022].

Dilkushi, S., Vidanarachchi, J., Manipura, A., Jayarathna, S., & Edirisinghe, D. (2024). Development and Characterization of a Bioplastic Composite using Banana Pseudostem, Cassava Starch and Polyvinyl Alcohol: An Alternative for the Conventional Plastic Packaging. [Conference Paper, Mar 2024].

Nimsara, M., Epa Arachchi, P. A., Jayasinghe, W., Jayarathna, S., & Vidanarachchi, J. K. (2024). A Participatory Community Approach for Sustainable Beekeeping Practices among Marginalised School Students in Sri Lanka. [Conference Paper, Dec 2024].

Jayathissa, I. S., Vidanarachchi, J., Gunathilake Bandaranayake, P., & Jayarathna, S. (2025). Development and Characterization of Active Bioplastic Film from Carrageenan, Chitosan, and Modified Starch: A Sustainable Alternative for Petroleum-Based Plastics Packaging. [Conference Paper, Apr 2025].

Dissertations

Jayarathna, S. (2024). Novel starch types: molecular diversity for future applications. [PhD Thesis, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Uppsala, Sweden]. Available: https://pub.epsilon.slu.se/