Rate My Professor Ananda Nanjundaswamy

His research specializes in bioprocess technology, fermentation processes, and the valorization of agricultural coproducts for bioproduct development. Nanjundaswamy leads efforts to produce natural food colorants as alternatives to synthetic dyes by utilizing microbes such as fungi, yeast, and bacteria to generate carotenoids including astaxanthin and beta-carotene. These pigments are derived from low-cost agricultural byproducts like sugar beet molasses and high fructose corn syrup, promoting a circular economy. His laboratory has optimized production processes, scaled up operations at the Dakota BioWorx facility to 70-liter batches, and secured U.S. provisional patents on related technologies. This work addresses impending FDA restrictions on synthetic dyes and extends to applications in animal feed and personal care products. Key publications include 'Breaking Down Biomass: How Pretreatment and Enzyme Strategy Shape Efficient Bioethanol Yields' (2025), 'Sustainable β-carotene production from sorghum syrup using engineered yeast' (2025), and patents such as 'Efficient Process for Producing Saccharides and Ethanol from a Biomass Feedstock' (2017). Nanjundaswamy received the Award for Excellence in Outreach and Engagement in the Extension category at the 2026 South Dakota State University Celebration of Faculty Excellence. His contributions have resulted in over 325 citations across 19 publications.