Akash Krishnamoorthi

01 — About ME

🦠 🧬 🔬 🧫 🦠 🧪 🌿 🧬

Research Philosophy

Akash Krishnamoorthi is a microbiologist and doctoral researcher specializing in environmental and applied agricultural microbiology. He is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Agricultural Microbiology at Annamalai University, Tamil Nadu, India, where his research focuses on the enhanced biodegradation and mineralization of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) using bacterial strains isolated from the gut of plastic-eating insects.

His research expertise spans plastic biodegradation, microbial consortia development, biofertilizer formulation, gut microbiota analysis of Tenebrio molitor, and biosurfactant-mediated mosquitocidal activity. He has extensive hands-on experience with advanced analytical and molecular techniques, including GC–MS, LC–MS, HRLC–MS, molecular docking, and spectroscopic analyses.

Akash has published research articles in high-impact international journals such as the Journal of Hazardous Materials, Biodegradation, and Archives of Microbiology. His excellence has been recognized through national awards, including the Norman E. Borlaug Young Scientist Award and the Prof. M. S. Swaminathan Award. He currently serves as Chief Technical Officer at a Research Hub, dedicated to advancing eco-friendly microbial technologies for environmental sustainability.

Microbiome LDPE Biodegradation Plastic Degradation Molecular Docking Biosurfactants Gut Microbiota Biofertilizers

02 — Research

Research Areas

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LDPE Biodegradation

Enhanced biodegradation and mineralization of Low-Density Polyethylene using bacterial strains isolated from the gut of plastic-eating mealworms.

Priestia megaterium Bacillus subtilis SEM/TEM

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Gut Microbiota Analysis

Comprehensive screening and characterization of LDPE-degrading bacterial communities from the gut of Styrofoam-fed Tenebrio molitor.

Tenebrio molitor 16S rRNA NCBI

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Biosurfactant Research

Investigation of biosurfactant-mediated activity and its promising applications in eco-friendly vector control and long-term environmental sustainability.

Biosurfactants Vector Control Biocontrol

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Biofertilizer Development

Formulating liquid biofertilizer consortia and assessing the shelf life of microbial inoculants to enhance agricultural productivity and soil health.

Liquid Formulations Rice & Bhendi Field Trials

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Microscopic Characterization

Advanced spectral and microscopic characterization using SEM, TEM, Phase Contrast, NMR, XRD, AFM, and Confocal Laser Microscopy.

LC-MS GC-MS XRD

03 — Research

Works and Contributions

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Showing 13 publications

2026

Microbial biofilms and their role in sustainable agriculture and climate-smart farming

Kaviarasi V, Parthasarathi R, Akash K, Senthil KM, et al.

Plant Science Today. 2026;13(sp1):01–11

View Article ↗

2026

Microbial Degradation of Polystyrene: Mechanisms, Enzymes and Environmental Significance

V. Kaviarasi, R. Parthasarathi, K. Akash, et al.

Microbiology, 2026, Vol. 95, No. 2, pp. 184–207 Springer

View Article ↗

2025

Exploring the Role of Microbes in the Biodegradation of Plastic Waste: Mechanisms, Interactions, and Implications for Sustainable Waste Management-A Review

Akash, K., Parthasarathi, R., Kanmani Bharathi, J., & Elango, R.

Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, 236(12), 1-49 Springer Nature

View Article ↗

2025

Effect of New Biofertilizer Formulations on the Growth and Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa L., var. VGD1) under Field Conditions

Rengasamy Parthasarathi, Jagnathan Nambi, ... Krishnamoorthi Akash, et al.

Journal of Experimental Agriculture International, 47(7), 435-443

View Article ↗

2025

Exploring the intricate studies on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) biodegradation by Bacillus cereus AP-01, isolated from the gut of Styrofoam-fed Tenebrio molitor larvae

Akash, K., Parthasarathi, R., Elango, R., & Bragadeeswaran, S.

Biodegradation, 36(1), 12 Springer Nature

View Article ↗

2025

Exploring the plastic-fed Indian mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) gut bacterial strain (Bacillus subtilis AP-04)–A potential driver of polyethylene degradation

Akash, K., Parthasarathi, R., Elango, R., & Bragadeeswaran, S.

Journal of Hazardous Materials, 486, 137022 Elsevier

View Article ↗

2024

Serratia rubidaea SNAU02-mediated biosurfactant production from cashew apple bagasse: A promising biotechnological strategy for environmental sustainability

Parthasarathi, R., Mayakrishnan, V., Natesan, V., Akash, K., et al.

Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology, 58, 103158 Elsevier

View Article ↗

2024

Characterization of Priestia megaterium S1, a polymer-degrading gut microbe isolated from the gut of Tenebrio molitor larvae fed on Styrofoam

Akash, K., Parthasarathi, R., Elango, R., & Bragadeeswaran, S.

Archives of Microbiology, 206(1), 48 Springer Nature

View Article ↗

2023

Biosurfactant-based biocontrol of agriculturally important plant pathogens

Parthasarathi, R., Sivasakthivelan, P., Arivukkarasu, K., Akash, K., et al.

Eur. Chem. Bull. 2023, 12 (Special Issue 10), 3279 - 3296

View Article ↗

2022

Influence of Liquid Formulations on Growth and Yield of Bhendi Var. Arka Anamika

K. Akash, Elango.R, Parthasarathi.R and Kavinilavu.N.

Indian Journal of Natural Sciences, 13, (74)

View Article ↗

2021

Effects of bio-fertilizer on growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa) AU1GSR cultivar

R Parthasarathi, R Elango, J. Srimannarayana, K Akash and N Kavinilavu.

International Journal of Botany Studies 6(5), 673-676

View Article ↗

2023

Book Chapter

Mosquitocidal Activity of Biosurfactants

Parthasarathi, R., Harini, S., Poonguzhali, P., Akash, K., & Kavinilavu, N.

In Multifunctional Microbial Biosurfactants (pp. 251-269) Springer Nature Switzerland

2023

Book Chapter

Critique on plastic pollution reduction strategies

K. Akash, R.Parthasarathi, and Elango. R

Archives of Agriculture and Allied Sciences

2025

Magazine

Quorum Sensing

Krishnamoorthi Akash, Rengasamy Parthasarathi, Rajavel Elango, Gunasekaran Dhurgadevi and Arjunan Sageetha

AgriTech Today e-Magazine: Volume 2, Issue 11 (February, 2025)

2024

Magazine

Bioremediation and Phytoremediation of Contaminated Soils

Krishnamoorthi Akash, Rengasamy Parthasarathi, Rajavel Elango, Gunasekaran Dhurgadevi and Arjunan Sageetha

AgriTech Today e-Magazine: Volume 2, Issue 9 (December, 2024)

2021

Magazine

Smart farming: Internet of Things (IoT)

Akash, K., and Shobana, G.

Agriallis, 3(8), 58-61

View Article ↗

2022

Conference

Biosurfactant production using Bacillus subtilis RP1 from agro-industrial wastes and its potential antifungal activity against Alternaria

Akash, K.

7th National Youth Convention on Food Security to Nutritional Security: Youth Perspective (FSNS 2022) TNAU, Coimbatore

2023

Conference

Participated in National Seminar on “Immunology and Immunotechnology Research”

Akash, K.

Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, Faculty of Marine Sciences Annamalai University

2025

Conference

Styrofoam-fed mealworm gut bacterial strain Priestia aryabhattai KA 1 in LDPE Biodegradation

Akash, K. (Oral Presentation)

International Conference on Sustainable Technologies for Energy, Environment, and Health (IC-STEEH) Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)

2023

Award

ANTI DRUG COMMITTEE SECRETARY

Faculty of Agriculture, Annamalai University (2023-2025)

2023

Award

Best Research Scholar Award

Field of Agricultural Microbiology

International Conference on Global Challenges of Food and Agriculture: Future Trends (GCFA-2023) Perambalur, Tamil Nadu

2023

Award

Prof. M. S. Swaminathan Award

9th National Conference on Addressing Environment CHALLENGES IN Agricultural Production Pushkaram College of Agricultural Sciences, Pudukkottai

2024

Award

Norman E. Borlaug Young Scientist Award

2nd National Conference on Vision-2047: Technology Intervention for Prospects of Agriculture in India (TIPAI 2024) JSA College of Agricultural and Technology

2024

Training

Addressing Bottlenecks in Exploitation and Commercialization of Effective Microbes for their Utilization in Natural Farming

10 Days National Training

ICAR-National Bureau of Agriculturally Important Microorganisms Jan 22-31, 2024

2025

Training

Familiarization, Handling and Training on Sophisticated Analytical and Energy Audit Instruments for Engineers

5 Days National Training

Department of Energy and Environment, NIT Tiruchirappalli Aug 18-22, 2025

2024

Workshop

Biofertilizer and Composting Technology

PG & Research Department of Microbiology & IQAC Workshop

Shanmuga Industries Arts & Science College, Tiruvannamalai 14th March 2024

2023

Course

Food Microbiology and Food Safety

4 Credit Course (Score: 92%)

Proctored Examination February 2023

2021

Webinar

Recent Developments of Beneficial Microorganisms in Food and Agriculture (RDBMFA-2021)

NABS & DST Purse II Sponsored International Webinar Annamalai University

2021

Webinar

NANO COMES TO LIFE

International Virtual Conference (NABE & DST PURSE II Sponsored) Annamalai University

2021

Webinar

PROBIOTICS IN AQUACULTURE AND CONSUMPTIVE USE VALUE OF MARINE BIODIVERSITY - AQUABIO-2021

NABS & DST - PURSE - II Sponsored International Virtual Conference Annamalai University

04 — NCBI Deposits

Gene Bank Submissions

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Priestia megaterium strain RP1/S1

Gut of Tenebrio molitor

ON024787 Styrofoam & plastic degradation

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Bacillus cereus strain AP01

Gut of Tenebrio molitor

OR288218 Styrofoam & plastic degradation

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Priestia flexa strain AP02

Gut of Tenebrio molitor

OR288580 Styrofoam & plastic degradation

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Bacillus pumilus strain AP03

Gut of Tenebrio molitor

OR295391 Styrofoam & plastic degradation

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Bacillus subtilis strain AP04

Gut of Tenebrio molitor

OR288581 Styrofoam & plastic degradation

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Priestia aryabhattai strain KA1

Gut of Tenebrio molitor

PP854711 Styrofoam & plastic degradation

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Priestia aryabhattai strain KA2

Gut of Tenebrio molitor

PP855417 Styrofoam & plastic degradation

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Franconibacter daqui strain SPF8

Gut of wax worm

PQ269787 Styrofoam & plastic degradation

Research Philosophy

Research Areas

LDPE Biodegradation

Gut Microbiota Analysis

Biosurfactant Research

Biofertilizer Development

Microscopic Characterization

Works and Contributions

Microbial biofilms and their role in sustainable agriculture and climate-smart farming

Microbial Degradation of Polystyrene: Mechanisms, Enzymes and Environmental Significance

Exploring the Role of Microbes in the Biodegradation of Plastic Waste: Mechanisms, Interactions, and Implications for Sustainable Waste Management-A Review

Effect of New Biofertilizer Formulations on the Growth and Yield of Rice (Oryza sativa L., var. VGD1) under Field Conditions

Exploring the intricate studies on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) biodegradation by Bacillus cereus AP-01, isolated from the gut of Styrofoam-fed Tenebrio molitor larvae

Exploring the plastic-fed Indian mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) gut bacterial strain (Bacillus subtilis AP-04)–A potential driver of polyethylene degradation

Serratia rubidaea SNAU02-mediated biosurfactant production from cashew apple bagasse: A promising biotechnological strategy for environmental sustainability

Characterization of Priestia megaterium S1, a polymer-degrading gut microbe isolated from the gut of Tenebrio molitor larvae fed on Styrofoam

Biosurfactant-based biocontrol of agriculturally important plant pathogens

Influence of Liquid Formulations on Growth and Yield of Bhendi Var. Arka Anamika

Effects of bio-fertilizer on growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa) AU1GSR cultivar

Mosquitocidal Activity of Biosurfactants

Critique on plastic pollution reduction strategies

Quorum Sensing

Bioremediation and Phytoremediation of Contaminated Soils

Smart farming: Internet of Things (IoT)

Biosurfactant production using Bacillus subtilis RP1 from agro-industrial wastes and its potential antifungal activity against Alternaria

Participated in National Seminar on “Immunology and Immunotechnology Research”

Styrofoam-fed mealworm gut bacterial strain Priestia aryabhattai KA 1 in LDPE Biodegradation

ANTI DRUG COMMITTEE SECRETARY

Best Research Scholar Award

Prof. M. S. Swaminathan Award

Norman E. Borlaug Young Scientist Award

Addressing Bottlenecks in Exploitation and Commercialization of Effective Microbes for their Utilization in Natural Farming

Familiarization, Handling and Training on Sophisticated Analytical and Energy Audit Instruments for Engineers

Biofertilizer and Composting Technology

Food Microbiology and Food Safety

Recent Developments of Beneficial Microorganisms in Food and Agriculture (RDBMFA-2021)

NANO COMES TO LIFE

PROBIOTICS IN AQUACULTURE AND CONSUMPTIVE USE VALUE OF MARINE BIODIVERSITY - AQUABIO-2021

Gene Bank Submissions

Priestia megaterium strain RP1/S1

Bacillus cereus strain AP01

Priestia flexa strain AP02

Bacillus pumilus strain AP03

Bacillus subtilis strain AP04

Priestia aryabhattai strain KA1

Priestia aryabhattai strain KA2

Franconibacter daqui strain SPF8

Technical Skills

Molecular Biology

Instrumentation & Analysis

Software & Tools

Experience

Chief Technical Officer

Supporting Researcher

Project Fellow (3 Years)

Education

Ph.D. in Agricultural Microbiology

Master's in Agricultural Microbiology

Bachelor's in Agriculture

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