I have the experience of carrying out animals experiments for the last 7 years at the Agharkar Research Institute. We examined the role of micronutrients (vitamins and w-3 fatty acids) in fetal adaptations to under-nutrition and implications for adult health using rat model. The animal experiments identified n3 fatty acids as one of the important nutrients involved in fetal programming. Our animal experiments showed for the first time that maternal folate supplementation during maternal under-nutrition may show adverse effects in the offspring at adult age. At IRSHA we are examining the role of omega three fatty acids and antioxidant supplementation in prevention of pregnancy induced hypertension. We are also examining the effect of omega three fatty acids in the treatment of infertility.

For my PhD I worked on Non starchy polysaccharides available in Indian foods at the Agharkar Research Institute, Pune. Dietary fibre components such as cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in Indian foods was estimated to get an estimate of habitual level of intakes in Indians. The different fibres were studied for their different physicochemical properties such as water holding capacity, bile acid binding ability and binding of trace mineral such as calcium , zinc, iron and copper.