Department of Zoology
Educational Background
- Ph.D Zoology 2005 Madurai Kamaraj University
- M.Phil Zoology 1989 Thiagarajar College, Madurai Kamaraj University
- M.Sc. Zoology 1988 Thiagarajar College, Madurai Kamaraj University
- B.Sc. Zoology 1986 The American College, Madurai Kamaraj University
Professional Experience
Academic Profile
2000-2010. : Assistant Professor
2010-2012. :Assistnat Professor and Head
2012- till date : Associate Professor and Head
Administrative profile :
- Dean, Curriculum Development from 1st Sep 2016 to 31st Aug. 2025 onwards.
- Head, Department of Zoology and Microbiology from 1st June 2010 onwards
- Convener-Institutional Innovation Council 2021.
- IQAC-Senior Administrative Officer-2017 onwards
- NAAC College Steering Committee Member 2017
- Member, Research Committee, 2016 -2019.
- NSS Program Officer- 2005-2008
- Programme Officer- Rotaract Club-Thiagarajar College-2005-2008
- Programme Officer-APAC-AIDS Prevention and Control Project.2005-2008
Awards & Recognitions
| # | Project Title | Agency | Grant Rs. | Period |
Major Research Projects | ||||
| 1 | Impact of Climate Change and Pests on Jasminum sp., Cultivation in South Tamil Nadu (File No: DST/SSTP/Tamil Nadu/437) | DST/SSTP | 18,87,880.00 | 2018-19 |
| 2 | Targeted Metagenomic Approach to Explore the Influence of Geochemical constraints on Microbial Diversity at Koyna[F.No:MoES/P.O(Seismo)/1(186)/2013] | Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) | 34,24,350.00 | 2014-17 |
| 3 | Environmental concentration of Microbial Polyester as Potential Bioindicators of Pollution and their Degradation Studies (F.No 19-110/2008-RE) | Ministry of Envion.& Forests (MoEF) | 11,04,900.00 | 2010-14 |
| 4 | Molecular &Chemical Characterization of Siderophores Produced by Marine Bacteria (F.33-360/2007 SR) | UGC | 11,19,000.00 | 2008-11 |
| 5 | Bioprospecting the probiotic potential of bacteria isolated from diverse fish fauna of Periyar lake [F.No.41-166/2012(SR)] | UGC(Co-PI) | 13,12,800.00 | 2012-15 |
Minor Research Projects | ||||
| 6 | Screening of honey-based nanofibrous scaffold for wound dressing application Proposal No-3402 F.No:4-4/2015-16(MRP/UGC-SERO) | UGC MinorResearch Project | 75,000.00 | 2017-19 |
| 7 | Utilization of hydrocarbon wastes for bioplastics (polyhydrroxy alkanoates) production by marine bacteria –proposal no-3407F.No:4-4/2015-16(MRP/UGC-SERO) | UGC Minor Research Project (Co-PI) | 75,000.00 | 2017-19 |
| 8 | Studies on the biodiversity of fauna and flora of cotton ecosystem in south Tamil Nadu (F.No:MRP-223/04-MRP/UGC-SERO) | UGC Minor Project | 95,000.00 | 2004-06 |
| 9 | Utilization of various Industrial Wastes for the production of biopolymer PHA using Alcaligeneseutrophus | UGC minorResearch (Co-PI) | 80,000.00 | 2006-08 |
| Page Total Rs. 91,73,930.00 | ||||
TNSCST- Student Research Project
| # | Project Title | Agency | Grant Rs. | Period |
| 10 | A Novel Method for Harvesting Marine Magnetotactic Bacteria (MTB) (Ref:TNSCST/SPS/AR/2009-2010) | TNSCST-DBT | 10,000.00 | 2009 |
| 11 | Biopriming of seeds with endophytic actinobacteria to suppress anthracnose infestation in pulse crop Vigna radiate (TNSCST /SPS/AR/2012-2013 AS-19) | TNSCST-DBT | 10,000.00 | 2013 |
| Total Rs. 91,93,930.00 | ||||
Other Grants Received
| # | Project Title | Agency | Amount | Period |
| 1 | Young Scientist Overseas Associateship Underwent training at National University of Singapore (NUS) for Six months. (BT/IN/BTOA/Niche/ 2006). | DBT | US $ 14,400 | 2007-2008 |
| 2 | Young Scientist Fellowship Underwent training at Biotechnology Department, University of Kerala Trivandrum.(TNSCST/YSFS/RJ/2001-2002/5376) | TNSCST | Rs. 9,900.00 | 2002-2003 |
| 3 | Travel grant –Presented the research findings in the International seminar at Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Beijing, China.(No.SRITS020602010-2011) | DST | Rs.55,598.00 | Oct. 2011 |
Awards, Honours and Fellowships Received
| 1 | Received Overseas Associateship Award for Young Scientists (Young Scientist Fellowship Award) in Niche areas of Biotechnology; 2006-2007, sponsored by DBT. Underwent training on Molecular Techniques, Stem Cell Research at National University of Singapore for six months (11.10.2007 to 10.4. 2008) |
| 2 | Received Young Scientist Fellowship from Tamil Nadu State Council for Science and Technology (TNSCST) for the year 2002-2003.Underweent training at Biotechnology Department, University of Kerala for three months (3.10. 2002 to 28.12. 2002). |
| 3 | Received Indian National Science Academy (INSA) Fellowship to visit The James Hutton Institute, Scotland UK. International Collaboration/Exchange Programme 2016. |
| 4 | Selected as Reserved Candidate for Commenwealth Academic Staff Fellowship to visit UK University at 2010. |
| 7 | Second Rank holder in B.Sc., Zoology. |
| 8. | Project Review Committee (Task force) Member-DSIR-DST, Ministry of Science and Technology, New Delhi for the TDUPW project pertaining to “Socioeconomic empowerment of rural women by training the with Agrobased biotechnological intervention”. File no: DSIR/TDUPW/TW-242/2011-12/2 |
| 10 | Member for the betterment of course content of biology for engineers in the “National Colloquium on Biology for Engineers” Thiagarajar College of Engineering , Madurai. |
National level Seminar /Workshop organized
| 1 | National level conference on Research Perspectives and Action plan-ARRP Antimicrobial Resistance: Research Perspectives and Action Plan | TNSCST | Rs.20,000.00 | 2025 |
| 2 | Workshop & Practicum on "ABCs" ( Applied Biotechnological Cascades) Two days | TNSCST | Rs.20,000.00 | Sep. 2024 |
| 3 | National Conference on Biology Beyond Boundries | Self | 12&13 March 2024 | |
| 4 | National Workshop on Computational Biology and Chemistry Tools for Drug Designing | Self | October 03 – October 06, 2020 | |
| 5 | Molecular and Computational Biology Techniques. TNSCST/PFA/SSW/VR/133/2018-19 | TNSCST | Rs.25,000.00 | May 2019 |
| 6 | National Workshop on “Molecular and Computational Biology Techniques” | Self | August 28-31, 2019 | |
| 7 | Seminar on how to implement OBE in the curriculum Dr.M.G.Sethuraman, Professor, GRI | Self | 1-04-2019, | |
| 8 | Two Days workshop for college teachers on Curriculum Evaluation, design and Development. Prof.N.J.Rao, Professor, International Institute of Information Technology,Bangalore. | Self | 15&16th September 2016 | |
| 9 | National Workshop of Recent Trends in Biotechnology” | Self | Feb23 to March 11th 2005. | |
| 10 | Molecular informatics and Drug Designing. File Nos: CSIR:SYM707211-HRD UGC: F.No.SE-180812-13 TNSCSTPFA/SSW/VR272011-12 | CSIR | Rs.60,000.00 | March 2012 |
| UGC | Rs.70,000.00 | |||
| TNSCST | Rs.10,000.00 | |||
| Rs.1,40,000.00 |
Ph.D Guidance: Completed - 10 ; submitted -1.
- A.Aravinth awarded Prof. A.K. Kumaraguru Medal for best Ph.D.,thesis, M K University, 2014. A.Aravinth received CSIR- SRF fellowship 2009.
- M.Karthikeyan was a JRF in the MoEF project.
- S. Benazir Begum got Moulana Azad fellowship for M.Phil., and Ph.D., under my guidance.
- R.Raja Roobia got Rajiv Gandhi fellowship for M.Phil., and Ph.D., under my guidance
| # | Student Name | Title of the Thesis | Year |
| 1. | A.Aravinth Reg.No: F8296 | Screening and Characterization of Siderophores producing marine bacteria. | 2009 |
| 2. | M.Karthikeyan Reg.No:F8614 | Screening and Charactereization of Polyhyroxyalkanoates (PHA) Produced by Bactria in Different ecological Regims. | 2014 |
| 3. | R.Raja Roobia Reg.No.F8859 | Biprospecting of marine Microbial Wealth for Siderophore Production and its application as Anticancer Agents | 2014 |
| 4. | S. Benazir Begum Reg No:F9092 | Bioprospecting Plant growth Promoting Bacteria for Quorum quenching Metabolities | 2015 |
| 5 | C.Usha Reg.No:F9489 | Bioprospecting the therapeutic potential of endophytic microflora and nanoparticles phytofabricated from Ocimum sps | 2018 |
| 6 | S. Lok Kirubahar Reg No : F9370) | Validation of Microbial status and nutraceutical properties of honey collected from different provinance of Tamilnadu | 2019 |
| 7. | K.Manimegalai Reg.NoF8962 | Bacterial Biosurfactants from Marine Habitats: Production, Characterization and Biological Activitiies. (Co-Guide) | 2017 |
| 8 | D.Baskaran Reg.No:P4583 | Phytofabrication of Metal Nanoparticles using Plectranthus species and its therapeutic applications | 2022 |
| 9 | S.Shamsait Reg.No: P8623 | Detection, characterization and Elucidation of Therapeutic Potential of Marine Microbial Siderophores | 2023 |
| 10 | J.Jenifer Annis Christy MKU20FFOS9931 | Phytofabrication of Nanoemulstion from the oil extracted from the fruits and their potential application in the control of Subterranean Termite Coptotermes formosanus | 2025 |
| 11 | B.R.Harisma MKU20FFOS9920 | Isolation and Characterization of Probiotic Potential of Bacteria Isoated from the fruit of PalmaraPalm Borasus flabellifer | |
Research Publications
Publications
2026
- Benazir Begam, S Jenifer Annis Christy,J ,Raja Roobia,R. S.Lok kirubakar, RM.Murugappan and S.Padmavathy 2026 Optimization, Characterization and Biological Activity of Siderophore Produced by marine Streptomyces coelicolor. PLOS ONE In press
2025
- JeniferAnnis Christy,A., Padmavathy,S., Lok Kirubakar,S and RM.Murugappan 2025 Targeting Cellulose Digesting Symbiotic Bacteria as a tool for Controlling Subterranean termite(Rhinotermitidae) infestation using Cashew Nut Shell Liquid.Symbiosis DOI:10.1007/s13199-025-01081
2024
- Srirengaraj Vijayaram, Yun-Zhang Sun, Einar Ringø, Hary Razafindralambo, Karthikeyan Mahendran, Ramanathan Murugappan and Karuppiah Duraikannu 2024 Probiotics: Foods and Health Benefits – An Updated Mini Review CME Journal of Medical Microbiology2(3):1-11
- Srirengaraj Vijayaram. Hamed Ghafarifarsani . Srikanth Vuppala . Shiva Nedaei . Karthikeyan Mahendran . Ramanathan Murugappan . Chi‑Chung Chou. 2024 Selenium Nanoparticles: Revolutionizing Nutrient Enhancement in Aquaculture – A Review. Biological Trace Element Research.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12011-024-04172-x
- B.R.Harisma, Christy J.Jenifer Annis S.Benazir Begum, R.Kalpana and RM.Murugappan 2024.Utilization of herbivore defensive latex from the weed Calotropis procera L in the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and its potential application in the control of dengue vector Aedes aegypti. Journal of Natural Pesticide Researchhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.napere.2024.100073.
- J.J.A. Christy, S.B. Begum, M. Revathy, B.R Harisma and R.M. Murugappan 2024:Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory efficiency of green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles using Polianthes tuberosa flower concentrate 45(3):243-252.
- Harisma B.R., Lok Kirubahar S.Jenifer Annis Christy J. and Murugappan RM2024:In vitro Evaluation of Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial and Mosquito Larvicidal Efficacy of the Latex from Calotropis procera.Eco.Env.Cons.30(2):737-742.
- J. Jenifer Annis Christy, S. Benazir Begum1, B.R. Harisma and R.M. Murugappan2024.Screening the diversity of cellulolytic bacteria inhabiting the gut of subterranean termite Coptotermes sp. and their control using Azadirachta indica leaf extract. Eco.Env.Cons.30(2):S551-S556.
2022
- D.Baskaran,S.Benazir Begum, J.Jenifer Annis Christy.,B.R.Harisma and RM.Murugappan 2022. Exploring the Probiotic and Plant Growth Promoting Potential of Endophytic Bacteria Isolated from the Vegetable Crop Bhendi Abelmoschus esculentus. Eco.Env.Cons 28:407-414.
2021
- C. Sabarinathan, M. Karthikeyan, R. M. Murugappan,Savarimuthu Philip Anthony, Bhaskaran Shankar, Kannabiran Parthasarathy and T. Arumuganathan 2021. Polyoxometalate based ionic crystal: dual applications in selective colorimetric sensor for hydrated ZnCl2 and antimicrobial activity. New Journal Chemistry 45:5576.
2020
- C.Sabrinathan, M.Karthikeyan., B.R.Harishma, RM. Murugappan and T.Arumuganathan 2020. One Pot Synthesis of Luminescent Polyoxometalate Supported Transition Metal Complex and Biological Evaluation as a Potential Larvicidal and Anti-cancer Agent. J.Molecular Structure. 1206:127486
- P.Prakash, A. Rajan, M.Karthikeyan and RM. Murugappan 2020. A novel and convenient oxidation-controlled procedure for the synthesis of oxazolines from TosMIC and aldehydes in water – Anti biofilm activity. Arabian Journal of Chemistry. 13(1):2153-2161
2018
- P.Prakash, A. Rajan, M.Karthikeyan and RM. Murugappan2018 .Simple synthesis of hydrazones with quorum quenching activity at room temperature in water. Environmental ChemistryLetters 16:1063-1067
- Rajan, P. Prakash M.Karthikeyan and RM.Murugappan (2018).A novel series of N-acyl substituted indole-linked benzimdazoles and naphthomidazoles as potential antinflammatory, antibiiofilm and antimicrobial agents.MicrobialPathogenesis.114:409-413
- M.Karthikeyan, A.Aravinth, D.Baskaran and RM.Murugappan (2018)Bioconversion of oily bilge waste to polyhydroxybutyrate(PHB) by marine Ochrobactrum intermedium. Bioresourse Technology Reports. 4:66-73
2017
- R.M. Murugappan, S. Benazir begum, C. Usha, S. Lok kirubahar, M. Karthikeyan (2017)Growth promoting and probiotic potential of the endophytic bacterium Rhodococcusgloberulus colonizing the medicinal plant Plectranthus ambonicus (Lour.) Spreng. Inter.J.Cur.Res.Rev. 9:7-12
2015
- S.Benazir Begum, R.Rajaroobia, M.Karthikeyan and RM.Murugappan 2015. Validation of nutraceutical properties of honey and probiotic potential of its innate microflora. LWT-Food Sci.Tech. 60:743-750
2013
- RM.Murugappan, S.Benazir Begum and R.Rajaroobia 2013. Symbiotic influence of endophytic Bacillus pumilus on growth promotion and probiotic potential of the medicinal plant Ocimum sanctum. Symbiosis.60:91-99
2012
- RM.Murugappan, M.Karthikeyan, A.Aravinth and M.Alamelu 2012 Siderophore-mediated iron uptake promotes Yeast-Bacterial symbiosis.App.Biochem Biotech.168:2170-2183
- RM.Murugappan, A.Aravinth, R.Rajaroobia, M.Karthikeyan and M.Alamelu 2012. Optimization of MM9 medium constituents for enhancement of siderophoregenesis in marine Pseudomonas putida using response surface methodology. Indian J. Microbiol. 52(3):433-441.
2011
- RM.Murugappan, A.Aravinth and M.Karthikeyan 2011. Chemical and structural characterization of hydroxamate siderophore produced by marine Vibrio harveyi. J. Indus. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 38 (2): 265-273
2010
- RM.Murugappan and S.Rekha 2006.Siderophores-the unique iron chelators. Advanced Biotech. 5 (4):25-28.
- RM.Murugappan, S.Rekha and R.Thirumurugan, 2006. Detection and chemical characterization of siderophores produced by Aeromonas hydrophila isolated from the fish Cyprinus carpio. Pak. J. Biol. Sci. 9(3): 437-440
- A.Arun, RM.Murugappan, A.D.David Ravindran,V.Veeramanikandan and Shanmuga Balaji 2006. Utilization of various industrial wastes for the production of poly β-hydroxy butyrate (PHB) by using Alcaligens eutrophus. African J. Biotech.5(17).
1999
- RM.Murugappan, M.Muthusamy and M.Gunasundari 1999. Genotoxicity and bioaccumulation of BHC and cadmium on the freshwater fish, Cyprinus carpio.J.Environ.Biol., 20(4):313-316.
- RM.Murugappan, M.Muthusamy and T.Sampath Kumar 1999. Analysis of microbes found in the adhesive paste available in the post offices in India. Poll.Res., 17(3):271-273.
1997
- RM.Murugappan and M.Gunasundari 1997. Bacteria Associated with epizootic ulcerative syndrome and its effect on the haematology of Cyprinus carpio. Ecol.Env.Cons., 3(1):15-17.
Patents
# Device Publiation No & Date Applicant Name 1 Wireless IOT Based Cardiac Blood Clot Tester (392872-001 Dated 17/08/2023). DrRM.Murugappan, Dr.M.Karthikeyan, Dr.J.Jenifer Annis Christy, Mrs.B.R.Harisma. 2 Apparatus to separate protein as per molecular size Field of Invention:Chemical. KAPILA scheme Process Patent 202341077809 dated 23/05/2025 Thiagarjar College,.
Name of the Inventor:DrRM.Murugappan, Dr.M.Karthikeyan, Dr.J.Jenifer Annis Christy, Mrs.B.R.Harisma.
Book Chapters
- Plant–microbe interaction: a “celestial wedlock” that overcomes climatic disasters for sustainable development 2025 In: Climate Change and Agricultural Ecosystems Current Challenges and Adaptation. Second Edition Elsevier Publication Woodhead Publishing, Ed., Ajay Kumar
- Green technologies: The Magical Wand for Sustainable Agricultural Development and Environment Protection 2025 In: Green Technologies and Innovative Future For Waste Management Elsevier publication. Ed: Komal,A.,et al.,Verma P.,M.Shah.
- Phytogenic Magnetic Nanoparticles(PMNPs) Synthesis, Properties,Characterization and its Potential Application in Waste Water Treatment. 2025. In:Nanostructured Magnetic Materials: Functionalization and Diverse Applications Ed:Sathish Kumar et al., CRC Press Taylor & Francis
- Smart Biomaterials for the removal of contaminants from wastewater.In: Bionanotechnology: Emerging Applications of Bionanomaterials.Edited by Ahmed Barhoum, Jaison Jeevanandam and Michael K.Danquah. 2022 Elsevier :ISBN: 978-0-12-823915-5
- Microbe-Assisted Management and Recovery of Heavy Metals from Electronic Wastes. In: Environmental Management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment. Edited by C..M.Hussain. 2021 Elsevier ISBN: 978-0-12-822474-8
- Biopolymer Based Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications. In: Nanostatergies forCombating Antimicrobial Resistance and Cancer. Edited by M.Saravanan. 2021 IGI Global Publication. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-5049-6.ch013. ISBN13: 9781799850496
- Emerging Nano-Based Drug Delivery Apparoch for Cancer Theraputics. In: Nanostatergies for Combating Antimicrobial Resistance and Cancer. Edited byM.Saravanan. 2021 IGI Global Publication. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-5049-6.ch013. ISBN13: 9781799850496
Professional Memberships
Membership in Scientific Organizations and Professional Bodies
| 1 | Project Review Committee (Task force) Member-DSIR-DST, Ministry of Science and Technology, New Delhi for the TDUPW project |
| 2 | Life member of Asian PGPR society of Sustainable Agriculture |
| 3 | Member of New York Academy of Science. |
| 4 | Life member of Association of Microbiologists of India (AMI)-Reg.No:1537-2001. |
| 5 | Life Member – Indian Initiative for Management of Antibiotic Resistance |
Memorandum of Understanding
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