• hdchem@ou.ac.lk
  • +94 112 881 371
Linkedin Facebook-f Whatsapp Instagram
Department of
CHEMISTRY

Dr. S. Kokilananthan

B.Sc. Chem. Sp. (SEUSL, SL); Ph.D. in Natural Product Chemistry (Ruh, SL),

Lecturer (Unconfirmed)

Department of Chemistry
  • Batticaloa Regional Centre, Open University of Sri Lanka, No 23, New Road, Batticaloa.
  • skoki@ou.ac.lk

Dr. Shanthirasekaram Kokilananthan currently holds the position of Lecturer within the Department of Chemistry at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Open University of Sri Lanka, starting from December 2023. He earned his Ph.D. in Natural Product Chemistry from the University of Ruhuna in June 2023, under the esteemed guidance of Senior Professor Vajira P. Bulugahapitiya. His academic journey began with the completion of a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Chemistry with second class, upper division, from Southeastern University of Sri Lanka in October 2018.

Throughout his doctoral studies, Dr. Kokilananthan focused on extracting antioxidants and isolating and characterizing compounds from medicinal plants. His expertise spans various techniques, including extraction, fractionation, isolation (utilizing chromatographic methods such as TLC, prep-TLC, liquid column chromatography, size exclusion chromatography, flash column chromatography, analytical and preparative HPLC), and characterization (employing spectroscopic techniques such as GC-MS, FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, etc.). Additionally, he conducted bioassays such as antioxidant and toxicity evaluations.

As part of his undergraduate program, he successfully completed a research project titled “Extraction of Mahua (Madhuca indica) and Veralu (Elaeocarpus serratus) oils: A study on their potential use in biodiesel production.” Throughout his academic tenure, Dr. Kokilananthan has contributed to the scholarly community by publishing several articles in peer-reviewed national and international journals and presenting numerous abstracts at national and international conferences.

Dr. Kokilananthan’s professional experience includes serving as a Lecturer on a temporary basis at the Department of Limnology and Water Technology, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences and Technology, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, from August 2023 to December 2023. Prior to this, he worked as a research assistant for the AHEAD/World Bank project at the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, from August 2019 to November 2022. Additionally, he contributed as a Demonstrator/Teaching Assistant at the Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Southeastern University of Sri Lanka.

Natural Product Chemistry
Organic Chemistry

Natural product chemistry, Value addition to essential oil
  • Lecturer (Unconfirmed), Department of Chemistry at the Faculty of Natural Sciences, Open University of Sri Lanka (December 2023 to Present)
  • Assistant Lecturer, Department of Limnology and Water Technology, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences and Technology, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka (August 2023 to December 2023)
  • Research Assistant, AHEAD/ World Bank Project, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka (August 2019 to November 2022)
  • Demonstrator/ Teaching Assistant – Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Southeastern University of Sri Lanka
  1. Kokilananthan, S., Bulugahapitiya, V.P., Manawadu, H., Gangabadage, C.S. (2023). Chemical profileand antioxidants property of Eryngium foetidum leaves; use of HPLC methods to optimize extraction techniques to be used in functional food development. ACTA Scientiarum Polonorum TechnologiaAlimentaria, 22(2), 159-168. http://dx.doi.org/10.17306/J.AFS.2023.1119
  2. Kokilananthan, S., Bulugahapitiya, V.P., Manawadu, H., Gangabadage, C.S. (2023). Investigations of Chemical Compositions and Antioxidative Potential of Essential Oils Isolated from the Leaves of Two Garcinia Species. Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research, 14(1), 12-17.https://doi.org/10.4103/japtr.japtr_570_22
  3. Kokilananthan, S., Bulugahapitiya, V.P., Manawadu, H., Gangabadage, C.S. (2022).  Sesquiterpenes and Monoterpenes from Different Varieties of Guava Leaf Essential Oils and Their Antioxidant Potential. Heliyon, 8(12), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12104
  4. Kokilananthan, S., Bulugahapitiya, V.P., Manawadu, H., Gangabadage, C.S. (2022). Comparative Evaluation of Different Extraction Techniques on Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activity of Psidium Guajava Leaves. Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research, 6(4), 552-557.  https://doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v6i4.15
  5. Kokilananthan, S., Bulugahapitiya, V.P., Gangabadage, C.S., Manawadu, H. (2021). Comparative accounts on proximate and phytochemical compositions and antioxidant properties of Garcinia quaesita and Garcinia zeylanica. International Journal of Minor Fruits, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, 7(2), 59-67. http://doi.org/10.53552/ijmfmap.2021.v07ii02.005
  6. Bulugahapitiya, V.P., Kokilananthan, S., Manawadu, H., Gangabadage, C.S. (2021). Phytochemistry and medicinal properties of Psidium guajava leaves: A review. Plant Science Today, 8(4), 963-971. https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.2021.8.4.1334
  1. Kokilananthan, S., Bulugahapitiya, V.P., Manawadu, H., Gangabadage, C.S. (2022). Effect of Extraction Techniques on Phytochemicals and Antioxidants Activity of Garcinia quaesita Advances in Technology, 2(1), 18-30. https://doi.org/10.31357/ait.v2i1.5444
  2. Kokilananthan, S., Bulugahapitiya, V.P., Manawadu, H., Gangabadage, C.S. (2021). Phytochemicals and antioxidant properties of the leaves of wild guava varieties grown in Sri Lanka. Journal of Science, 12(2), 33-46. http://doi.org/10.4038/jsc.v12i2.34
  3. Kokilananthan, S., Bulugahapitiya, V.P., Gangabadage, C.S., Manawadu, H. (2020). Comparative account on antioxidant properties, proximate and phytochemical compositions of seven guava varieties grown in Sri Lanka. Journal of Agriculture and Value Addition, 3(2), 1-16.
  1. Kokilananthan, S., Bulugahapitiya, V.P., Manawadu, H., Gangabadage, C.S. (2023, June). Isolation of Natural Antioxidants; Gallic acid, Quercetin, and Catechin from the Sri Lankan Endemic Plant, Garcinia quaesita Leaves. 20th Academic Sessions 2023 University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka.
  2. Kokilananthan, S., Bulugahapitiya, V.P., Manawadu, H., Gangabadage, C.S. (2022, November). Isolation of Saponins from Guava Leaves and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant Capacity. Young Scientists’ Conference Multidisciplinary Research (YSCMR)-2022, Young Scientists’ Association, National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Sri Lanka.
  3. Kokilananthan, S., Bulugahapitiya, V.P., Manawadu, H., Gangabadage, C.S. (2022, November). Isolation of Saponins from the Leaves of the Sri Lankan Endemic Plant, Garcinia quaesita, and Evaluation of Their Antioxidant Capacity. International Conference on Innovation and Emerging Technologies 2022, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Homagama, Sri Lanka.
  4. Kokilananthan, S., Bulugahapitiya, V.P., Manawadu, H., Gangabadage, C.S. (2022, June). Comparative account on chemical compositions and antioxidant potential of essential oils isolated from the leaves of two garcinia varieties grown in Sri Lanka. International symposium on agriculture and environment, ISAE 2022, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna.
  5. Kokilananthan, S., Bulugahapitiya, V.P., Manawadu, H., Gangabadage, C.S. (2022, June). Comparative study of different extraction techniques on phytochemical extraction of Eryngium foetidum leaves. International symposium on agriculture and environment, ISAE 2022, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Ruhuna.
  6. Kokilananthan, S., Bulugahapitiya, V.P., Manawadu, H., Gangabadage, C.S. (2022, March). Investigations of Chemical Compositions and Antioxidant Potential of Essential Oils Extracted from the Leaves of Seven Guava Varieties. Abstract presented at 19th Academic Sessions 2022 University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka.
  7. Kokilananthan, S., Bulugahapitiya, V.P., Manawadu, H., Gangabadage, C.S. (2021, November). Comparative study of different extraction techniques on phytochemicals extraction and antioxidants activity of Garcinia quaesita leaves. International Conference on Innovation and Emerging Technologies 2021, Faculty of Technology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Homagama, Sri Lanka.
  8. Kokilananthan, S., Bulugahapitiya, V.P., Manawadu, H., Gangabadage, C.S. (2021, October). Comparative study of different extraction techniques on phytochemical extraction of Psidium guajava leaves. Young Scientists’ Conference Multidisciplinary Research (YSCMR)-2021, Young Scientists’ Association, National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Sri Lanka.
  9. Kokilananthan, S., Bulugahapitiya, V.P., Manawadu, H., Gangabadage, C.S. (2021, October). Proximate and phytochemical composition of Eryngium foetidum extracts under two different extraction techniques. Young Scientists’ Conference Multidisciplinary Research (YSCMR)-2021, Young Scientists’ Association, National Institute of Fundamental Studies, Sri Lanka.
  10. Kokilananthan, S., Bulugahapitiya, V.P., Gangabadage, C.S., Manawadu, H. (2021, March). Comparison of the Quantities of Selected Phytochemicals of the Leaves of Seven Guava Varieties in Sri Lanka. 18th Academic Sessions 2021 University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka.
  11. Kokilananthan, S., Bulugahapitiya, V.P., Gangabadage, C.S., Manawadu, H. (2021, February). Comparative accounts on proximate and phytochemical compositions of Garcinia quaesita and Garcinia zeylanica. IEE EMBS International student conference 2021 Moratuwa, University of Moratuwa, Moratuwa, Sri Lanka.
  12. Kokilananthan, S., Bulugahapitiya, V.P., Gangabadage, C.S. (2020, November). Phytochemicals present in leaves of locally grown Guava varieties; Psidium guajava (common guava), Psidium cattleianum (strawberry guava) and Psidium guineense (embul guava) under different extraction techniques. 9th Young Scientists Forum Symposium, National Science and Technology Commission, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka.
  13. Kokilananthan, S., Bulugahapitiya, V.P., Gangabadage, C.S., Manawadu, H. (2020, October). Exploration of Guava varieties in Sri Lanka for their geological distribution and phytochemical compositions. 13th international research conference, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Ratmalana, Sri Lanka.
  14. Kokilananthan, S., Manjceevan, A., Rasalingam, S. (2018, November). Extraction of mahua (Madhuca indica) and veralu (Elaeocarpus serratus) oils: a study on their potential use in biodiesel production. 7th Annual Science Research Sessions, Faculty of Applied Science, Southeastern University of Sri Lanka.

The PhD scholarship was granted by the AHEAD project, funded through a World Bank grant, spanning from August 2019 to November 2022.

Open and Distance Learning

learning opportunities to anyone, anywhere, and at any time.

Faculty of Natural Sciences

The Faculty currently offers 29 programmes of study ranging from Certificate to Postgraduate level, as well as stand-alone courses and short courses. The main undergraduate programmes offered by the Faculty are BSc degree programme and BSc (Hons) degree programmes with nearly 5,000 students.

Departments

Research

Search

University Links

Get Connected

Linkedin Facebook-f Whatsapp Instagram