Ecological and Biochemistry Research Group is combination of Chemical ecology and Biochemistry.

Chemical ecology is a multidisciplinary scientific discipline that explores the role of chemical compounds to work as signals in interactions between different organisms and their environment. It investigates the chemical substances produced by organisms, such as plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria, and how these substances affect the behavior, physiology, and ecology of other organisms.

In chemical ecology, scientists study the chemical compounds emitted by organisms, including pheromones, allelochemicals, and secondary metabolites. These chemical signals can serve various purposes, such as communication, defense, reproduction, and foraging. Organisms may release chemicals into their surroundings to attract mates, mark territory, warn of danger, or deter predators. They can also produce chemical compounds that inhibit the growth of competing species or defend against herbivores or pathogens.

Chemical ecology involves multidisciplinary approaches, drawing from fields such as chemistry, biology, ecology, and bioinformatics. Researchers use techniques like chemical analysis, behavioral experiments, field observations, and genetic studies to understand the ecological roles of chemical signals. By unraveling the chemical interactions between organisms, chemical ecologists can gain insights into the dynamics of ecosystems, species interactions, and adaptations.

The applications of chemical ecology are diverse and wide-ranging. They can include developing environmentally friendly pest control methods, understanding the chemical communication systems of social insects, identifying natural products for pharmaceutical and agricultural purposes, and unraveling the chemical defenses and adaptations of plants and animals in different ecological contexts.

Overall, chemical ecology provides a framework for understanding the profound impact of chemical signals on the behavior, ecology, and evolution of organisms and their interactions with the environment.

Chemical ecological processes mediated by semiochemicals include ones that are intraspecific (occurring within a species) or that are interspecific (occurring between species). A variety of functional subtypes of signals are pheromones, allomones, kairomones, and attractants and repellents.

Focus Areas

Our research group interests including but not limited to: 

Plant metabolomics and microbial metabolomics

Development of analytical method using GC-MS and HPLC-PDA-MS for the identification and quantification of organic molecules from various sources such as plants, bacteria and fungi.

Extraction of essential oils from wild and domesticated plants on semi pilot and pilot scale.

Identification of bioactive compounds for the control of blood sucking insects such as dengue mosquitoes.

Development of plant-based mosquito repellents by exploring indigenous plant essential oils.

Anti-bacterial and anti-fungal activities of plant essential oils, extracts and synthetic compounds.

Isolation and identification of bioactive compounds from indigenous plants to be used for the control of stored grain pest insects.

Biological activity guided separation and structure elucidation of natural products from plants and microbes.

Search for new edible fats, sugars and proteins for human digestion from fruits and vegetables.

Analytical chemical analysis of various secondary metabolites from local flora, fruits and vegetables in order to explore nutraceuticals value.

Bio-degradation and bio-conversion of waste materials to valuable products.