Ph.D. from Osmania University, Department of Biochemistry, Hyderabad
M.Sc Biotechnology from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad
B.Sc Biotechnology from Kavitha memorial degree and PG college, Khammam, under Kakatiya University warangal
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Cancer biology, Phytochemical algal biotechnology, and biohydrogen production.
9
Scopus Publications
397
Scholar Citations
7
Scholar h-index
7
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
Enhancing Biomethane Generation From Eutrophic Water Harvested Algal Biomass Through Combined Pretreatment Strategy M. Preethi, Chitrali Laha Roy, Meganathan Kannan, Poornachandar Gugulothu, Amina Sultan J. M. Aljaber, Yahia H. Ahmad, Siham Y. Al‐Qaradawi, J. Rajesh Banu Chemistry Methods, 2026 Algal blooms resulting from eutrophication pose a significant global challenge, contributing to the degradation of freshwater ecosystems. In this study, algal biomass from eutrophic water bodies was utilized for bioenergy production, offering a dual benefit of addressing energy demands while contributing to water body restoration. Alum, a widely used coagulant (40 mg/L), was employed to harvest algal biomass from eutrophic water. Anaerobic digestion (AD) was used to convert the harvested biomass into bioenergy, with the process efficiency strongly dependent on substrate hydrolysis. To enhance hydrolysis, a combined pretreatment involving sonication and alkyl polyglucoside was investigated. Under optimal sonication conditions (160 W for 30 min), chemical oxygen demand (COD) solubilization reached 21.2%. The addition of alkyl polyglucoside (10 µL) during sonication increased COD solubilization to 30.9%. Biomethane yield following the combined pretreatment reached 240.1 mL/gVS, which is significantly higher than that obtained with sonication alone (189.5 mL/g VS). Energy analysis indicated an energy ratio of 0.976 and a net energy of −2.4 kWh for the combined pretreatment. Despite improved solubilization and biomethane yield, the current energy ratio does not support the viability of scaling up the process.
Synthesis, Anticancer and EGFR Inhibitory Activity of Novel [1,2,4]Triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazine-isoxazoles Aruna Jyothi Chatla, Nagaraju Dharavath, Praveen Mamidala, Poorna Chandar Gugulothu, Jayaprakash Rao Yerrabelly Asian Journal of Chemistry, 2025 A novel approach was utilized for the synthesis of new [1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b] [1,3,4]thiadiazine containing isoxazoles (6a-o) from 3-ethynyl-6-(4-fluorophenyl)-7H-[1,2,4]triazolo[3,4-b][1,3,4]thiadiazine-8,8-dioxide (4) in combination with freshly prepared substituted nitrile oxides (5) using Cu(I)-catalyzed [3+2] cycloaddition method. The in vitro cancer activity of the synthesized compounds was carried out against two lung cancer cell lines, A-549 and H1299. Among the compounds tested, 6h, 6k and 6l exhibited significantly stronger anticancer activity compared to standard drug erlotinib, with IC50 values ranging from 0.62 ± 0.20 to 4.40 ± 0.14 µM. The cytotoxicity of the more potent compounds was also tested against HEK-293 normal cell line and showed no toxic activity. Compound 6k appears to have higher inhibitory activity against EGFR (IC50 = 0.41 ± 0.03 µM) compared to the standard drug erlotinib (IC50 = 0.42 ± 0.03 µM), while compounds 6h and 6l demonstrated prominent activity. Further potent molecule believed to be a future drug for lung cancer.
Amelioration of Biogas Production from Waste-Activated Sludge through Surfactant-Coupled Mechanical Disintegration Vijetha Valsa, Geethu Krishnan S, Rashmi Gondi, Preethi Muthu, Kavitha Sankarapandian, Gopalakrishnan Kumar, Poornachandar Gugulothu, Rajesh Banu Jeyakumar Fermentation, 2023 The current study intended to improve the disintegration potential of paper mill sludge through alkyl polyglycoside-coupled disperser disintegration. The sludge biomass was fed to the disperser disintegration and a maximum solubilization of 6% was attained at the specific energy input of 4729.24 kJ/kg TS. Solubilization was further enhanced by coupling the optimum disperser condition with varying dosage of alkyl polyglycoside. The maximum solubilization of 11% and suspended solid (SS) reduction of 8.42% were achieved at the disperser rpm, time, and surfactant dosage of 12,000, 30 min, and 12 μL. The alkyl polyglycoside-coupled disperser disintegration showed a higher biogas production of 125.1 mL/gCOD, compared to the disperser-alone disintegration (70.1 mL/gCOD) and control (36.1 mL/gCOD).
Renewable biofuels from microalgae: technical advances, limitations and economics Subhisha Raj, Amrutha Sajith, Arathi Sreenikethanam, Swathi Vadlamani, Aiswarya Satheesh, Anurup Ganguly, J. Rajesh Banu, Sunita Varjani, Poornachandar Gugulothu, Amit K. Bajhaiya Environmental Technology Reviews, 2023 The current world energy crisis and increasing greenhouse gas emissions demand a shift from fossil-based fuels to alternative and sustainable biofuels. The innate potential of microalgae over traditional terrestrial feedstocks to provide a high-quality and sustainable fuel portfolio has been recognized. Microalgae are known to mitigate atmospheric CO2 and convert it to valuable metabolites and bioactive compounds. The high growth rate of microalgal biomass with no additional requirements of feed and arable land makes microalgae as realistic alternative to existing biofuels sources. Micro-algae can store more primary metabolites under abiotic stress, which can be used as a possible source of energy. These metabolite storing abilities of microalgae have become a point of interest for the scientific community as the accumulated lipids serve as potential feedstock for biodiesel production by transesterification, whereas the carbohydrates can be used as the feedstock for bioethanol production by fermentation. Although microalgae-based biofuels are viable sources of energy, their commercialization and deployment in the fuel market remain a challenge. As a result, efforts are being undertaken to make it more cost-effective. This review describes the microalgae biorefinery method for producing biofuel along with its commercial potential, latest research updates in biofuel research, strategies to improve the algal metabolite content along with the limitations of using algal biomass for biofuels with possible solutions to overcome those limitations.
Genetic Engineering of Microalgae for Secondary Metabolite Production: Recent Developments, Challenges, and Future Prospects Arathi Sreenikethanam, Subhisha Raj, Rajesh Banu J, Poornachandar Gugulothu, Amit K. Bajhaiya Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 2022 Microalgae are highly diverse photosynthetic organisms with higher growth rate and simple nutritional requirements. They are evolved with an efficiency to adapt to a wide range of environmental conditions, resulting in a variety of genetic diversity. Algae accounts for nearly half of global photosynthesis, which makes them a crucial player for CO2 sequestration. In addition, they have metabolic capacities to produce novel secondary metabolites of pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and industrial applications. Studies have explored the inherent metabolic capacities of microalgae with altered growth conditions for the production of primary and secondary metabolites. However, the production of the targeted metabolites at higher rates is not guaranteed just with the inherent genetic potentials. The strain improvement using genetic engineering is possible hope to overcome the conventional methods of culture condition improvements for metabolite synthesis. Although the advanced gene editing tools are available, the gene manipulation of microalgae remains relatively unexplored. Among the performed gene manipulations studies, most of them focus on primary metabolites with limited focus on secondary metabolite production. The targeted genes can be overexpressed to enhance the production of the desired metabolite or redesigning them using the synthetic biology. A mutant (KOR1) rich in carotenoid and lipid content was developed in a recent study employing mutational breeding in microalgae (Kato, Commun. Biol, 2021, 4, 450). There are lot of challenges in genetic engineering associated with large algal diversity but the numerous applications of secondary metabolites make this field of research very vital for the biotech industries. This review, summarise all the genetic engineering studies and their significance with respect to secondary metabolite production from microalgae. Further, current genetic engineering strategies, their limitations and future strategies are also discussed.
Microalgae as a source of mycosporine-like amino acids (Maas); advances and future prospects Subhisha Raj, Anusree M. Kuniyil, Arathi Sreenikethanam, Poornachandar Gugulothu, Rajesh Banu Jeyakumar, Amit K. Bajhaiya International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021 Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), are secondary metabolites, first reported in 1960 and found to be associated with the light-stimulated sporulation in terrestrial fungi. MAAs are nitrogenous, low molecular weight, water soluble compounds, which are highly stable with cyclohexenone or cycloheximine rings to store the free radicals. Microalgae are considered as a good source of different kinds of MAAs, which in turn, has its own applications in various industries due to its UV absorbing, anti-oxidant and therapeutic properties. Microalgae can be easily cultivated and requires a very short generation time, which makes them environment friendly source of biomolecules such as mycosporine-like amino acids. Modifying the cultural conditions along withmanipulation of genes associated with mycosporine-like amino acids biosynthesis can help to enhance MAAs synthesis and, in turn, can make microalgae suitable bio-refinery for large scale MAAs production. This review focuses on properties and therapeutic applications of mycosporine like amino acids derived from microalgae. Further attention is drawn on various culture and genetic engineering approaches to enhance the MAAs production in microalgae.
Biofuel production from Macroalgae: present scenario and future scope Godvin Sharmila V, Dinesh Kumar M, Arulazhagan Pugazhendi, Amit Kumar Bajhaiya, Poornachander Gugulothu, Rajesh Banu J Bioengineered, 2021 The current fossil fuel reserves are not sufficient to meet the increasing demand and very soon will become exhausted. Pollution, global warming, and inflated oil prices have led the quest for renewable energy sources. Macroalgae (green, brown, and red marine seaweed) is gaining popularity as a viable and promising renewable source for biofuels production. Numerous researches have been conducted to access the potential of macroalgae for generating diverse bioproducts such as biofuels. The existence of components such as carbohydrates and lipids, and the lack or deficiency of lignin, create macroalgae an enviable feedstock for biofuels generation. This review briefly covers the potential macroalgal species promoting the production of biofuels and their cultivation methods. It also illustrates the biofuel generation pathway and its efficiency along with the recent techniques to accelerate the product yield. In addition, the current analysis focuses on a cost-effective sustainable generation of biofuel along with commercialization and scaleup.
RECENT SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Enhancing Biomethane Generation From Eutrophic Water Harvested Algal Biomass Through Combined Pretreatment Strategy M Preethi, CL Roy, M Kannan, P Gugulothu, ASJM Aljaber, YH Ahmad, ... Chemistry‐Methods 6 (4), e202500162 , 2026 2026
Implication of HIF-1α signalling in human growth hormone (hGH) induced mammary carcinoma: HIF-1Α signalling in hGH induced mammary carcinoma P Gugulothu, D Madduru, S Baskari, S Velpula, V Devi, Y Suresh Indian Journal of Experimental Biology (IJEB) 62 (07), 484-495 , 2024 2024
Renewable biofuels from microalgae: technical advances, limitations and economics S Raj, A Sajith, A Sreenikethanam, S Vadlamani, A Satheesh, A Ganguly, ... Environmental Technology Reviews 12 (1), 18-36 , 2023 2023 Citations: 16
Algal lipids for biofuel production: strategies, environmental impacts, downstream processing and commercialization A Sreenikethanam, S Raj, J Rajesh Banu, P Gugulothu, S Varjani, ... Phytochemistry Reviews 22 (4), 1127-1145 , 2023 2023 Citations: 10
Amelioration of Biogas Production from Waste-Activated Sludge through Surfactant-Coupled Mechanical Disintegration * Vijetha Valsa 1,†, Geethu Krishnan S 1,†, Rashmi Gondi 1 , Preethi Muthu 2 ... Fermentation 9 (1), 1-11 , 2023 2023 Citations: 1
Biohydrogen production from waste activated sludge through thermochemical mechanical pretreatment JR Banu, G Kumar, VK Tyagi, AK Bajhaiya, P Gugulothu, M Gunasekaran Bioresource technology 358, 127301 , 2022 2022 Citations: 20
Genetic engineering of microalgae for secondary metabolite production: Recent developments, challenges, and future prospects A Sreenikethanam, S Raj, P Gugulothu, AK Bajhaiya Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology 10, 836056 , 2022 2022 Citations: 118
Genetic engineering of microalgae for secondary metabolite production: recent developments, challenges, and future prospects. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 10: 420 A Sreenikethanam, S Raj, J Rajesh Banu, P Gugulothu, AK Bajhaiya 2022 Citations: 2
Bioactive Compound from Micro Algae and Their Anti-Cancer Properties P Gugulothu, AK Bajhaiya Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research 42 (4), 33928-33931 , 2022 2022 Citations: 2
Microalgae as a source of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs); advances and future prospects S Raj, AM Kuniyil, A Sreenikethanam, P Gugulothu, RB Jeyakumar, ... International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18 (23), 12402 , 2021 2021 Citations: 69
Biofuel production from Macroalgae: present scenario and future scope D Kumar, A Pugazhendi, AK Bajhaiya, P Gugulothu Bioengineered 12 (2), 9216 , 2021 2021 Citations: 142
Biofuel production from macroalgae: present scenario and future scope. Bioengineered 12 (2): 9216–9238 V Godvin Sharmila, M Dinesh Kumar, A Pugazhendi, AK Bajhaiya, ... 2021 Citations: 3
Influence of autocrine growth hormone on NF-κB activation leading to epithelial–mesenchymal transition of mammary carcinoma S Baskari, S Govatati, V Madhuri, N Nallabelli, PM K, S Naik, ... Tumor Biology 39 (10), 1010428317719121 , 2017 2017 Citations: 14
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Biofuel production from Macroalgae: present scenario and future scope D Kumar, A Pugazhendi, AK Bajhaiya, P Gugulothu Bioengineered 12 (2), 9216 , 2021 2021 Citations: 142
Genetic engineering of microalgae for secondary metabolite production: Recent developments, challenges, and future prospects A Sreenikethanam, S Raj, P Gugulothu, AK Bajhaiya Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology 10, 836056 , 2022 2022 Citations: 118
Microalgae as a source of mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs); advances and future prospects S Raj, AM Kuniyil, A Sreenikethanam, P Gugulothu, RB Jeyakumar, ... International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18 (23), 12402 , 2021 2021 Citations: 69
Biohydrogen production from waste activated sludge through thermochemical mechanical pretreatment JR Banu, G Kumar, VK Tyagi, AK Bajhaiya, P Gugulothu, M Gunasekaran Bioresource technology 358, 127301 , 2022 2022 Citations: 20
Renewable biofuels from microalgae: technical advances, limitations and economics S Raj, A Sajith, A Sreenikethanam, S Vadlamani, A Satheesh, A Ganguly, ... Environmental Technology Reviews 12 (1), 18-36 , 2023 2023 Citations: 16
Influence of autocrine growth hormone on NF-κB activation leading to epithelial–mesenchymal transition of mammary carcinoma S Baskari, S Govatati, V Madhuri, N Nallabelli, PM K, S Naik, ... Tumor Biology 39 (10), 1010428317719121 , 2017 2017 Citations: 14
Algal lipids for biofuel production: strategies, environmental impacts, downstream processing and commercialization A Sreenikethanam, S Raj, J Rajesh Banu, P Gugulothu, S Varjani, ... Phytochemistry Reviews 22 (4), 1127-1145 , 2023 2023 Citations: 10
Biofuel production from macroalgae: present scenario and future scope. Bioengineered 12 (2): 9216–9238 V Godvin Sharmila, M Dinesh Kumar, A Pugazhendi, AK Bajhaiya, ... 2021 Citations: 3
Genetic engineering of microalgae for secondary metabolite production: recent developments, challenges, and future prospects. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 10: 420 A Sreenikethanam, S Raj, J Rajesh Banu, P Gugulothu, AK Bajhaiya 2022 Citations: 2
Bioactive Compound from Micro Algae and Their Anti-Cancer Properties P Gugulothu, AK Bajhaiya Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research 42 (4), 33928-33931 , 2022 2022 Citations: 2
Amelioration of Biogas Production from Waste-Activated Sludge through Surfactant-Coupled Mechanical Disintegration * Vijetha Valsa 1,†, Geethu Krishnan S 1,†, Rashmi Gondi 1 , Preethi Muthu 2 ... Fermentation 9 (1), 1-11 , 2023 2023 Citations: 1
Enhancing Biomethane Generation From Eutrophic Water Harvested Algal Biomass Through Combined Pretreatment Strategy M Preethi, CL Roy, M Kannan, P Gugulothu, ASJM Aljaber, YH Ahmad, ... Chemistry‐Methods 6 (4), e202500162 , 2026 2026
Implication of HIF-1α signalling in human growth hormone (hGH) induced mammary carcinoma: HIF-1Α signalling in hGH induced mammary carcinoma P Gugulothu, D Madduru, S Baskari, S Velpula, V Devi, Y Suresh Indian Journal of Experimental Biology (IJEB) 62 (07), 484-495 , 2024 2024
