India’s Oils & Fats Industry: A Versatile Feedstock for Food, Fuel, and High-Value Chemical

Dr. R. B. N. Prasad is one of India's most distinguished lipid scientists, with over five decades of pioneering contributions to lipid chemistry, edible oils, fats, and food technology. As the former Chief Scientist and Head of the Centre for Lipid Research at CSIR–Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, he has played a transformative role in advancing India's vegetable oil and allied products industry. His groundbreaking work led to the development of a rice bran oil refining technology that is now used to produce over 85% of India's rice bran oil, significantly improving product quality and strengthening the country's edible oil sector. Over the course of his illustrious career, he has published more than 275 research papers, contributed 22 book chapters, secured nearly 70 Indian and international patents, and successfully transferred over 25 technologies to industry.

Dr. Prasad has also played a key role in shaping food regulations and public health initiatives. He currently serves on the World Health Organization's Trans Fat Elimination Technical Advisory Group and is an Expert Committee Member of FSSAI for Non-Specified Foods and Food Ingredients. He has held several prestigious leadership positions, including National President of the Association of Food Scientists & Technologists (India) and the Oil Technologists' Association of India. A recipient of more than 25 national awards and a Fellow of multiple prestigious scientific bodies, Dr. Prasad continues to mentor R&D teams across the food industry as a consultant and serves as the Senior Editor of the Journal of Food Science & Technology (Springer).