Ms. Sidra Tul Muntaha | Nutrition | Editorial Board Member

Ph.D. Scholar | University of Agriculture | Pakistan

Sidra Tul Muntaha is a Ph.D. scholar in Human Nutrition and Dietetics at the National Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan, where she has been pursuing her doctoral studies since November 2021 after completing her M.Sc. (Hons.) in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from the same institution in 2021. Her academic and research journey is centered on advancing evidence-based nutrition, functional foods, and nutraceutical science with a strong emphasis on improving human health outcomes. She has contributed to multiple peer-reviewed international journals, reflecting her growing impact in food science, nutrition, and interdisciplinary health research. Her published work spans experimental, applied, and review-based studies, including investigations into the anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-atherogenic effects of citrus peel pectin, highlighting its therapeutic potential against diet-induced hyperlipidemia. She has also explored innovative nutraceutical approaches such as polyphenol-protein particles, positioning them as emerging solutions in modern nutrition and food science. Her research interests extend to public health nutrition and disaster resilience, as demonstrated by her contribution to a multisectoral analysis of nutrition crisis management following floods. Additionally, she has worked on product development and functional food evaluation, examining the nutritional, textural, phytochemical, and sensory properties of protein-enriched biscuits formulated with alfalfa leaf protein concentrate. Her review articles further emphasize her expertise in nutraceuticals, including comprehensive analyses of industrial hemp for arthritis and diabetes management and the role of berries in gastrointestinal disorders. Through her multidisciplinary research, Sidra Tul Muntaha integrates nutritional biochemistry, food technology, and public health perspectives to address both chronic disease prevention and nutrition security. Her scholarly contributions reflect a commitment to translating scientific research into practical dietary strategies and functional food innovations, positioning her as an emerging researcher with a strong foundation in nutrition science and a clear focus on improving health through food-based interventions.

Profile: ORCID

Featured Publications

Rasheed, H., Altemimi, A. B., Rabail, R., Muntaha, S. T., Rakha, A., Haider, U., Rasheed, F., Shehzad, M., Khaneghah, A. M., Abdi, G., & others. (2025). Anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-atherogenic effect of citrus peel pectin against cholesterol and cholic acid induced hyperlipidemia in Sprague Dawley rats. Food Science & Nutrition, 13, e70274.

Muntaha, S. T., Rakha, A., Rasheed, H., Fatima, I., Butt, M. S., Abdi, G. R., & Aadil, R. M. (2025). Polyphenol-protein particles: A nutraceutical breakthrough in nutrition and food science. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 15, 101641.

Rakha, A., Jabbar, A., Rasheed, H., Tul-Muntaha, S., Munir, A., Fatima, A., Anwar, R., Sohail, M., & Aadil, R. M. (2025). Nutrition crisis management after floods: A multisectoral perspective. International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, 98, 105141.

Muntaha, S. T., Pasha, I., Rasheed, H., Rakha, A., Fatima, I., Rasheed, F., Jamil, A., Rehman, M., Abdi, G. R., & Jha, P. (2025). Nutritional, textural, phytochemical, and sensory properties of novel biscuits supplemented with alfalfa leaf protein concentrate. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, 49, e6736541.

Rakha, A., Rasheed, H., Altemimi, A. B., Tul-Muntaha, S., Fatima, I., Butt, M. S., Hussain, S., Bhat, Z. F., Khaneghah, A. M., & Aadil, R. M. (2024). Tapping the nutraceutical potential of industrial hemp against arthritis and diabetes: A comprehensive review. Food Bioscience, 59, 104195.

Sidra Tul Muntaha’s research advances nutrition science by developing evidence-based functional foods and nutraceutical strategies that address chronic diseases, metabolic disorders, and nutrition security. By integrating food technology, public health, and disaster nutrition perspectives, her work supports sustainable health solutions with clear relevance to industry innovation and societal well-being.

Dr. Muhammad Asif | Food Science and Technology | Editorial Board Member

Assistant Professor | University of Agriculture | Pakistan

Muhammad Asif is an emerging food science researcher with a strong scholarly profile focused on sustainable food systems, food quality, food safety, waste management, and food extrusion technologies. With 235 citations, an h-index of 6, and an i10-index of 6, his work demonstrates growing academic influence, particularly since 2020. He is affiliated with the National Institute of Food Science and Technology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan, and holds a verified email association with Purdue University, reflecting international academic engagement. His research emphasizes the valorization of agro-industrial by-products, functional food development, and innovative processing techniques aimed at improving nutritional, sensory, and bio-functional properties of foods. One of his most cited contributions addresses sustainable food industrial waste management through single-cell protein production, highlighting environmentally responsible solutions for food security. He has also published extensively on the utilization of fruit and vegetable pomace, such as apple and citrus by-products, in functional foods and extruded products, demonstrating their antioxidant, phenolic, and gastrointestinal benefits. His interdisciplinary collaborations with researchers from institutions in Pakistan, the United States, Europe, China, and the Middle East underscore his global research outlook. Muhammad Asif’s work spans diverse areas including probiotics, microencapsulation, smart packaging films, bioactive peptides, dairy product innovation, and emerging analytical tools like electronic nose and tongue technologies. He has contributed both original research articles and comprehensive reviews in reputable journals such as Food Bioscience, Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Journal of Food Safety, Applied Food Research, and European Food Research and Technology. His recent publications also explore the role of functional foods and microbiome-driven approaches in metabolic health. Overall, Muhammad Asif’s research profile reflects a commitment to sustainable innovation, nutritional enhancement, and applied food science solutions with practical industrial and public health relevance.

Profile: Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Khan, M. K. I., Asif, M., Razzaq, Z. U., Nazir, A., & Maan, A. A. (2022). Sustainable food industrial waste management through single cell protein production and characterization of protein enriched bread. Food Bioscience, 46, 101406.

Asif, M., Javaid, T., Razzaq, Z. U., Khan, M. K. I., Maan, A. A., Yousaf, S., Usman, A., et al. (2024). Sustainable utilization of apple pomace and its emerging potential for development of functional foods. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31(12), 17932–17950.

Asif, M., Khan, M. K. I., Khan, M. I., Maan, A. A., Helmick, H., & Kokini, J. L. (2023). Effects of citrus pomace on mechanical, sensory, phenolic, antioxidant, and gastrointestinal index properties of corn extrudates. Food Bioscience, 55, 103012.

Azam, M., Saeed, M., Yasmin, I., Afzaal, M., Ahmed, S., Khan, W. A., Iqbal, M. W., et al. (2021). Microencapsulation and in vitro characterization of Bifidobacterium animalis for improved survival. Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization, 15(3), 2591–2600.

Talha, M., Khalid, S., Maan, A. A., Tanveer, N., Khan, M. K. I., Asif, M., Arif, S., et al. (2024). Ohmic assisted extraction: A sustainable and environment friendly approach to substitute conventional extraction methods. Food Reviews International, 40(10), 3508–3529.

The nominee’s work advances sustainable food science by transforming agro-industrial waste into high-value functional foods and ingredients, directly supporting food security and environmental stewardship. Through innovative processing technologies and interdisciplinary collaboration, his research bridges science and industry while promoting healthier, resource-efficient global food systems.