Dr. Mani Jayakumar is an Associate Professor Biotechnology (Faculty of Engineering) in Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore, since August 2025 and boast an extensive career spanning over 2 decades with over 21 years dedicated to teaching, research and administrative roles. Before this current position, worked as Principal in Anna University-affiliated College for a 3.5 year, during which was a part of the team to organize symposium, conference, zonal sports meet and exhibitions for the institution. He have published 80 plus papers reputed impacted journal articles, 50 plus chapters in edited books, co-authored one book, 2 patents and about 20 papers in International conferences, with research citations in Google scholar, 2566; h-index, 27 and i10 index, 51, citations in Scopus 2065, h-index, 23. Guided 2 research scholars to get their Ph. D degrees, then have a vast experience as a coordinator of handling many cycles of ISO & NBA during his tenure.
EDUCATION
1. Ph.D. Biotechnology Engineering and Technology 2011
2. M. Tech Industrial Biotechnology Engineering and Technology 2005
3. B. Tech Chemical Engineering Engineering and Technology 2003
4. D.Ch. Tech Chemical Technology 2000
5. M.B.A (Distance Education) HRM 2008
6. H.D.P Education 2023
7. D.I.S. (Distance Education) 2004
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Engineering, Waste Management and Disposal, Pollution, Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Nickel-doped chicken eggshell-derived catalyst for cottonseed oil-based fatty acid methyl ester: Synthesis, characterization, and engine performance and emission assessment Tigabu Hailelule Yemane, Lata Deso Abo, Mani Jayakumar, Buzu Gelan Shumi, Magesh Rangaraju, Saminathan Subashini, Gemedo Geleto Hindeso Industrial Crops and Products, 2026 The present research focused on the synthesis and characterization of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) derived from cottonseed oil using a nickel-doped chicken eggshell (Ni-CaO) catalyst, and evaluated the biodiesel’s engine performance and emission characteristics. The Ni-CaO catalyst was prepared via calcination and characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), showing improved catalytic activity and higher FAME yields compared to un-doped CaO. The maximum oil yield obtained from cottonseeds was 44.75 wt%, achieved using 100 g of seeds under extraction conditions of 65ºC, 5 h, a 6:1 solvent-to-solid ratio, and atmospheric pressure using solvent extraction method. Similarly, the maximum FAME yield reached 96 wt% at 60ºC, 120 min reaction time, 5 wt% catalyst loading, and a 12:1 methanol-to-oil ratio via transesterification reaction. The produced cottonseed methyl ester (COME) complied with ASTM D6751 and EN 14214 standards, satisfying critical fuel quality parameters such as cetane number, viscosity, acid value, flash point, and moisture content. Engine performance tests demonstrated that COME exhibited a slight decrease in brake thermal efficiency (2–4 %) and a 6–10 % increase in brake specific fuel consumption compared to diesel, while significantly reducing CO, hydrocarbons (HC), and particulate emissions, indicating improved combustion characteristics and environmental performance.
Optimizing Bioethanol Production From Sugarcane Leaves and Tops: A Comprehensive Acid Hydrolysis Approach Workisa Bacha Garuma, Ramachandran Kasirajan, Tesfaye Kassaw Bedru, Mani Jayakumar, Ermias Demissie International Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2026 The surging demand for ecofriendly and sustainable energy sources has propelled the exploration of innovative solutions. This study comprehensively investigates the production and characterizations of bioethanol derived from the waste lignocellulose sugarcane top and leave. The biomass composition, including hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin, was thoroughly analyzed. The hydrolysis uses diluted sulfuric acid at a temperature ranging from 110°C to 122°C, with a time of 20–30 min, and acid concentrations of 2%‐3%. To understand the effect of hydrolysis during fermentation, the untreated and acid‐treated biomass samples underwent various characterization techniques, including FTIR and SME‐EDX. The anaerobic fermentation transformed the hydrolyzed biomass into bioethanol using the yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Fermentation occurred at a temperature of 30°C and a pH of 4.86, with a fixed biomass concentration of 10 v/v yeast strain and a final fermentation time of 72 h. The resulting ethanol–water mixture was separated through distillation, and its characteristics were determined, revealing a density of 807 kg/m 3 and a viscosity of 1.55 × 10 6 m 2 s −1 . The observed ethanol yield from sugarcane leaves and tops reached 28.24%. To optimize the process parameters, response surface methodology was employed. The optimal conditions were a temperature of 121.95°C, time of 26.36 min, and an acid concentration of 2.99%. These conditions yielded a total reduced sugar content of 69.63%, thereby maximizing the bioethanol yield. Under these optimal conditions, chromatography‐coupled mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) confirmed the presence of 18.65 g/L of bioethanol in the broth.
Role of Lignin in Biofuel Production: Current Prospects and Challenges Tesfaye Kassaw Bedru, Workisa Bacha Garuma, Abayneh Getachew Demesa, Selvakumar Periyasamy, Mani Jayakumar Lower and Higher Plants for Biofuel Production, 2026 Lignin is a complex, amorphous biopolymer composed of randomly crosslinked phenylpropane units and is a major structural component of plant cell walls. Despite long-standing challenges associated with its structural heterogeneity and recalcitrance, lignin is the most abundant renewable source of aromatic compounds and holds significant potential for biofuel and bioenergy applications. Biomass, historically and presently used as an energy source in many regions, consists primarily of carbon-, hydrogen-, and oxygen-based organic materials that can be converted into fuels, with lignin being a key constituent of lignocellulosic biomass. In recent years, extensive research has focused on lignin valorization due to its chemical richness and availability. This chapter presents a comprehensive overview of lignin, covering its historical development, classification, chemical composition, molecular structure, physicochemical properties, synthesis and isolation processes, and its role in biofuel production, while also addressing the associated challenges and future prospects.
Jatropha as an Efficient Biofuel Producer: A Critical Analysis for Sustainable Uses Tesfaye Kassaw Bedru, Abayneh Getachew Demesa, Samuel Bernardo Perez Vega, Mani Jayakumar, Selvakumar Periyasamy Lower and Higher Plants for Biofuel Production, 2026 Many countries are actively seeking alternatives to fossil fuels in response to growing environmental pressures and long-term energy insecurity. While biodiesel has emerged as a viable renewable fuel, its production has largely depended on edible vegetable oils, raising concerns about competition with food supplies, particularly in developing countries. These concerns have renewed interest in non-edible oilseed crops as more sustainable feedstock options. Among them, Jatropha curcas has received considerable attention due to its high oil content, non-edible nature, and ability to grow on marginal and degraded lands with limited agricultural inputs. Native to South and Central America, J. curcas is a drought-tolerant, multipurpose perennial plant that is now widely distributed across tropical regions. Beyond its potential as a biofuel feedstock, the plant offers several agronomic, environmental, and economic benefits. Despite these advantages, large-scale deployment of Jatropha-based biofuels has faced technical, agronomic, and economic challenges. This chapter critically examines Jatropha oil production and processing pathways, evaluates its role as a sustainable energy source, discusses key limitations affecting its viability, reviews available biofuel conversion technologies, and highlights future research needs and strategic directions to improve the sustainability and performance of Jatropha curcas-derived biofuels.
Enzyme–Nanomaterial Conjugates for Sustainable Bioenergy Production Varsha Srinivasan, Ashwini Panchal, Rudranil Ghose, Rayearth Shankar, Mani Jayakumar, Panjanathan Radha Nanomaterials for Sustainable Bioenergy Production, 2026 Bioenergy is an important sector that faces a pacing and upscaling struggle and could largely benefit from using enzyme–nanomaterial conjugates. Enzyme–nanomaterial conjugates increase catalytic activity, stability, surface–volume ratio, reusability, and recovery of enzymes. Nanomaterials can be in the form of nanotubes, nanofibers, nanoparticles, and nanosheets, depending on which one the immobilization design will defer. Recent investigations have firmly established the capacity of various conjugates, such as metal-organic frameworks, carbon-based nanostructures, and polymer and silica-based conjugates, to immobilize cellulases, lipases, and ligninases. Such immobilization further permits enhanced biomass hydrolysis, with some reported cases exhibiting improvement by as much as 50%. Following several reuses, typically between 5 and 10 cycles of these conjugates, the retention capacity varied between 60% and 90%, depending on the type of enzyme and nanomaterial used. A 2–2.5-fold increase in enzymatic activity was seen in conjugates when compared to free enzymes. These are employed in pretreatment, extraction, light absorption, and enhancement in bioenergy sources such as bioethanol, biodiesel, biohydrogen, and biobutanol. Carbon nanotubes and reduced graphene oxide boost electron transfer and power in microbial fuel cells. Uncertainties, such as enzyme leaching and upscaling for bulk production, remain, necessitating the need for pioneering research in the eco-friendly production of biocompatible nanomaterials for scalable applications in bioenergy production.
Fuel Cells Technology, Applications, and Its Future Prospects Belete Tessema Asfaw, Meroda Tesfaye Gari, Mani Jayakumar, Selvakumar Periyasamy A Green Vision Towards A Renewable Energy Future Volume II Technical Perspectives and Alternative Routes, 2025
Sustainable Biorefinery for the Production of Biomaterials Abas Siraj Hamda, Melkiyas Diriba Muleta, Teketel Alemu Anshebo, Mani Jayakumar Sustainable Waste Management Towards Circular Bioeconomy Components Design Innovation and Impact, 2025
Agricultural Waste as a Source of Fine Chemicals Mani Jayakumar, Lekidelu Asrat, Lemlem Feseha, Ramachandran Kasirajan, Selvakumar Periyasamy Agricultural Waste to Value Added Products Technical Economic and Sustainable Aspects, 2023
Study of Polymer Matrix Composites for Electronics Applications S. Dhanasekar, T. Jothy Stella, A. Thenmozhi, N. Divya Bharathi, Kamatchi Thiyagarajan, Pankaj Singh, Yanala Srinivasa Reddy, Ganganagunta Srinivas, Mani Jayakumar Journal of Nanomaterials, 2022
Comprehensive report on production of citric acid from crude glycerol International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, 2015
A Comparative analysis on microbial production of primary alcohols using pretreated glycerol Asian Journal of Microbiology Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences, 2015
A survey on DHA production by microbial bioconversion of crude glycerol International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, 2015
Glycerol as a promising substrate for the microbial production of ethanol Asian Journal of Microbiology Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences, 2015
Bioconversion of crude glycerol into glyceric acid : A value added product International Journal of Chemtech Research, 2014
Comparative study on Candida Sp. For the production of glycerol International Journal of Chemtech Research, 2014
Optimization of biodiesel production from waste cooking oil using pure lipase and Rhizopus Oryzae through response surface methodology Asian Journal of Microbiology Biotechnology and Environmental Sciences, 2014
Synthesis, parametric optimization and characterization of polylactic acid from water hyacinth through acid hydrolysis LD Abo, TH Yemane, APA Sivagurulingam, BSN Prasad, M Jayakumar, ... Biomass and Bioenergy 212, 109307 , 2026 2026
Hybrid waste-derived heterogeneous catalyst from waste banana peel and animal bone for efficient biodiesel synthesis from Jatropha curcas seed oil TH Yemane, LD Abo, M Jayakumar, S Manivannan, G Baskar Biomass and Bioenergy 208, 108800 , 2026 2026 Citations: 3
Bioenergy, Sustainable Development, Economic, Environmental, and Social Impacts TK Bedru, WB Garuma, R Baskaran, M Jayakumar Energy for Sustainable Development: Capitalising on the Transformative … , 2026 2026
Renewable Energy, Economic Growth, Technological Innovations, Challenges and Prospects C Nirmala, M Sridevi, G Gnanamathy, M Jayakumar Energy for Sustainable Development: Capitalising on the Transformative … , 2026 2026
Nickel-doped chicken eggshell-derived catalyst for cottonseed oil-based fatty acid methyl ester: Synthesis, characterization, and engine performance and emission assessment TH Yemane, LD Abo, M Jayakumar, BG Shumi, M Rangaraju, ... Industrial Crops and Products 241, 122849 , 2026 2026
Optimizing Bioethanol Production From Sugarcane Leaves and Tops: A Comprehensive Acid Hydrolysis Approach WB Garuma, R Kasirajan, TK Bedru, M Jayakumar, E Demissie International Journal of Chemical Engineering 2026 (1), 5575100 , 2026 2026
Strategical tactics on sewage sludge handling: Sustainable treatment practices, characterization, energy recovery, and reuse applications AS Hamda, MA Yimer, AS Jeyapaul, TK Bedru, M Jayakumar Transformation of Liquid Waste to Energy, 227-248 , 2026 2026
An overview of water quality, water pollutants, and the importance of nanomaterials in water remediation S Muruhan, C Nirmala, G Gnanamathy, N Roopa, M Jayakumar Current Advancements in Nanomaterials for Wastewater Remediation, 1-30 , 2026 2026
Development of microbial fuel cells for green energy production and environmental applications: Challenges and future outlook BT Asfaw, MT Gari, J Pachiyappan, M Jayakumar, WB Garuma Transformation of Liquid Waste to Energy, 149-166 , 2026 2026
Valorization of waste biomass to aviation fuel M Jayakumar, TK Bedru, WA Abera, J Pachayappan, G Baskar Sustainable Technologies for Value Addition to Biomass Waste, 181-196 , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Livestock residue as nonpareil bioenergy resource: Recent technological valorization for clean energy recovery TK Bedru, WB Garuma, M Jayakumar, BT Asfaw Transformation of Solid Waste to Energy, 299-325 , 2026 2026 Citations: 1
Circular valorization of Argemone ochroleuca seed meal: biomass fractionation, bioethanol production, and hydrothermal carbonization TK Bedru, BT Meshesha, SA Mohammed, AG Demesa, SBP Vega, ... Bioresources and Bioprocessing 12 (1), 144 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Road Map from Microalgae Biomass to Biorefinery Prospects and Challenges TK Bedru, WB Garuma, R Baskaran, M Jayakumar, T Selvaganapathy Algal Biorefineries in Circular Economy for Climate Change Resilience, 57-80 , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Food Processing Wastes as a Source for Various Value-Added Products Using a Circular Bioeconomy Approach LD Abo, M Jayakumar, B Jifara, AS Hamda, MD Muleta, HA Areti, ... Biomass-Based Green Technology for Circular Economy, 29-56 , 2025 2025
Lignocellulosic Biomass Sources for Biofuel Production Prospects and Challenges GA Tenkolu, M Jayakumar, S Periyasamy, S Krishnan Biomass-Based Green Technology for Circular Economy, 16-28 , 2025 2025
Sustainable Biorefinery for the Production of Biomaterials AS Hamda, MD Muleta, TA Anshebo, M Jayakumar Sustainable Waste Management Towards Circular Bioeconomy: Components, Design … , 2025 2025
The Challenges, Opportunities, and Future of Sustainable Biorefineries W Bacha, TK Bedru, M Jayakumar, M Rangaraju Sustainable Waste Management Towards Circular Bioeconomy: Components, Design … , 2025 2025 Citations: 1
Advances in Biorefinery Technologies M Jayakumar, MD Muleta, HA Areti, BJ Daba, AS Hamda, LD Abo Sustainable Waste Management Towards Circular Bioeconomy: Components, Design … , 2025 2025
Prospects on Bio-fuels from Agri-waste and Its Techno-economy M Jayakumar, A Begna, S Venkatesa Prabhu, M Rangaraju Sustainable Waste Management Towards Circular Bioeconomy: Components, Design … , 2025 2025
The Challenges, Opportunities W Bacha, TK Bedru, M Jayakumar Sustainable Waste Management Towards Circular Bioeconomy: Components, Design … , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Heterogeneous base catalysts: Synthesis and application for biodiesel production–A review M Jayakumar, N Karmegam, MP Gundupalli, KB Gebeyehu, BT Asfaw, ... Bioresource Technology 331, 125054 , 2021 2021 Citations: 289
Smart diagnostic expert system for defect in forging process by using machine learning process S Mewada, A Saroliya, N Chandramouli, TR Kumar, M Lakshmi, ... Journal of Nanomaterials 2022 (1), 2567194 , 2022 2022 Citations: 163
Optimization of binary acids pretreatment of corncob biomass for enhanced recovery of cellulose to produce bioethanol P Selvakumar, AA Adane, T Zelalem, BM Hunegnaw, V Karthik, S Kavitha, ... Fuel 321, 124060 , 2022 2022 Citations: 144
Bioethanol production from agricultural residues as lignocellulosic biomass feedstock's waste valorization approach: A comprehensive review M Jayakumar, GT Gindaba, KB Gebeyehu, S Periyasamy, A Jabesa, ... Science of the total environment 879, 163158 , 2023 2023 Citations: 129
Current and prognostic overview on the strategic exploitation of anaerobic digestion and digestate: A review S Chozhavendhan, G Karthigadevi, B Bharathiraja, RP Kumar, LD Abo, ... Environmental research 216, 114526 , 2023 2023 Citations: 120
Precomposting and green manure amendment for effective vermitransformation of hazardous coir industrial waste into enriched vermicompost N Karmegam, M Jayakumar, M Govarthanan, P Kumar, B Ravindran, ... Bioresource Technology 319, 124136 , 2021 2021 Citations: 120
Review on Li‐Ion Battery with Battery Management System in Electrical Vehicle MS Ramkumar, CSR Reddy, A Ramakrishnan, K Raja, S Pushpa, S Jose, ... Advances in Materials Science and Engineering 2022 (1), 3379574 , 2022 2022 Citations: 114
Comprehensive review on lignocellulosic biomass derived biochar production, characterization, utilization and applications M Jayakumar, AS Hamda, LD Abo, BJ Daba, SV Prabhu, M Rangaraju, ... Chemosphere 345, 140515 , 2023 2023 Citations: 107
Biodiesel production from Argemone mexicana oil using chicken eggshell derived CaO catalyst F Ashine, Z Kiflie, SV Prabhu, BZ Tizazu, V Varadharajan, M Rajasimman, ... Fuel 332, 126166 , 2023 2023 Citations: 95
Waste Ox bone based heterogeneous catalyst synthesis, characterization, utilization and reaction kinetics of biodiesel generation from Jatropha curcas oil M Jayakumar, KB Gebeyehu, KV Selvakumar, S Parvathy, W Kim, ... Chemosphere 288, 132534 , 2022 2022 Citations: 70
A comprehensive outlook on topical processing methods for biofuel production and its thermal applications: Current advances, sustainability and challenges M Jayakumar, KB Gebeyehu, LD Abo, AW Tadesse, B Vivekanandan, ... Fuel 349, 128690 , 2023 2023 Citations: 65
Antibacterial potency and synergistic effect of certain plant extracts against food-borne diarrheagenic bacteria N Karmegam, S Karuppusamy, M Prakash, M Jayakumar, K Rajasekar International journal of biomedical and pharmaceutical sciences 2 (2), 88-93 , 2008 2008 Citations: 60
Advances in solid biofuels production through torrefaction: Potential biomass, types of torrefaction and reactors, influencing process parameters and future opportunities–A review DG Gizaw, S Periyasamy, H Baylie, ZT Redda, P Asaithambi, ... Process Safety and Environmental Protection 186, 1307-1319 , 2024 2024 Citations: 59
Effect of turkey litter (Meleagris gallopavo L.) vermicompost on growth and yield characteristics of paddy, Oryza sativa (ADT-37) M Jayakumar, T Sivakami, D Ambika, N Karmegam African Journal of Biotechnology 10 (68), 15295-15304 , 2011 2011 Citations: 56
Influencing factors and environmental feasibility analysis of agricultural waste preprocessing routes towards biofuel production–A review S Periyasamy, AA Adego, PS Kumar, GG Desta, T Zelalem, V Karthik, ... Biomass and Bioenergy 180, 107001 , 2024 2024 Citations: 51
Multi-faceted CRISPR-Cas9 strategy to reduce plant based food loss and waste for sustainable bio-economy–a review P Hemalatha, EM Abda, S Shah, SV Prabhu, M Jayakumar, N Karmegam, ... Journal of Environmental Management 332, 117382 , 2023 2023 Citations: 45
Study of polymer matrix composites for electronics applications S Dhanasekar, TJ Stella, A Thenmozhi, ND Bharathi, K Thiyagarajan, ... Journal of Nanomaterials 2022 (1), 8605099 , 2022 2022 Citations: 45
Physico-chemical characteristics and fungal flora in the casts of the earthworm, Perionyx ceylanensis Mich. reared in Polyalthia longifolia leaf litter M Prakash, M Jayakumar, N Karmegam Journal of Applied Sciences Research 4 (1), 53-57 , 2008 2008 Citations: 45
Synergistic antibacterial activity of four medicinal plants collected from Dharapuram Taluk of Tiruppur District, south India N Karmegam, M Jayakumar, S Karuppusamy Journal of plant sciences 7 (1), 32 , 2012 2012 Citations: 40
Detoxification of coir pith through refined vermicomposting engaging Eudrilus eugeniae M Jayakumar, AN Emana, R Subbaiya, M Ponraj, KKA Kumar, ... Chemosphere 291, 132675 , 2022 2022 Citations: 39
RESEARCH OUTPUTS (PATENTS, SOFTWARE, PUBLICATIONS, PRODUCTS)
1. Design Title: Pollution Identifying System in Agricultural Land
Design No: 367369-001
Date: 07/07/2022
Intellectual Property India Patents Trademarks Geographical Indication
2. Design Title: Lyophilizer for Drying of Parenteral Powder
Design Application No: 401221-001
Date: 01/12/2023
Intellectual Property India Patents Trademarks Geographical Indication