Academic Qualifications

• Ph.D., Technology, Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, 2011.
• M.S., Leather Technology, Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, 2002. 
• B. Tech., Leather Technology, Anna University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, 1992.

Area of Interest

• Microbiology, Leather and Biotechnology, Sustainable leather processing, Eco-Friendly Tanning System for Leather, Enzyme assisted leather process technology 

Research experience

• Two years in Quinn India Ltd. Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh as Assistant Manager and worked as Manager, Product Design, A.I Enterprises, Chennai – Tamil Nadu
• Currently working as Scientist for the last twenty years in the department of CHORD, Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai - TN carrying out projects related to Ecofriendly leather processing technology and solid waste management in leather and allied sector.

Membership of professional bodies

• Honorary Professor – Anna University 
• Life Member – Indian Leather Technologists Association (ILTA)
• Life Member – Indian Society for Technical Education
• Life Member -  A.C. Tech. Leather & Footwear Alumni Association (ALFA)
• Assistant Public Information Officer - APIO for scientific affairs of RTI Act 
• Treasurer – Southern Charter Zone, ILTA
• Joint Secretary, ALFA

Academic activities

• Registered Supervisor for Ph. D., students in Anna University, Chennai
• Ph.D., Students Currently Supervising: 3 Ongoing
• Providing guidance to M. Phil., M. Sc., M. Tech., B. Tech., students for projects from various colleges/universities.
• Involved in teaching leather technology courses for B. Tech and M. Tech. students.
• Delivered guest lecturers and several training programmes for colleges, Leather sector and its associations etc.

Patents Filed

• Swarna V Kanth, R. Ganesh Jeevan, N.K. Chandra Babu, S. Sadulla, V.S. Sundara Rao, T. Ramasami.
  A novel process for the elimination of free formaldehyde present in leather.
  Indian Patent Application No. 136/DEL99/ dated 25.01.1999

Research Publications

1. Swarna V Kanth, B. Madhan, J. Raghava Rao, B.U. Nair, S. Sadulla, T. Ramasami.
   Studies on the stabilization of collagen using dialdehyde starch: Part I. Effect of autoclaving on dialdehyde starch.
   J. Am. Leather Chem. Ass., Vol.101, pp.144-453, 2006.
2. Swarna V Kanth, R. Venba, B. Madhan P. Chitra, A. Yasothai, N.K. Chandrababu, S. Sadulla.
   Studies on the influence of Proteolytic Enzymes in leather dyeing.
   J. Am. Leather Chem. Ass., Vol.101, pp.435-443, 2006.
3. Swarna V Kanth, B. Madhan, Philo, M.J., Mithuna, S., Raghava Rao, J. Unni Nair, B.
   Tanning with natural polymeric materials Part I: Ecofriendly tanning using dialdehyde sodium alginate.
   J. Soc. Leather Technol. Chem., Vol.91, pp.252, 2007.
4. Swarna V Kanth, J. Raghava Rao, B. Unni Nair.
   Tanning with natural polymeric materials. Part II: Efficiency of dialdehyde sodium alginate as a bi-functional crosslinking agent.
   J. Soc. Leather Technol. Chem., Vol.92, pp. 65-70, 2007.
5. Swarna V Kanth, B. Madhan, M. Nirenjana, T. Archana, J. Raghava Rao, B. Unni Nair.
   Dialdehyde alginic acid- A novel biopolymeric tanning agent.
   J. Am. Leather Chem. Ass., Vol.102, pp. 353-361, 2007.
6. Swarna V Kanth,  Anu Ipe, B. Madhan, R. Venba, Aruna Dhathathreyan.
   Effect of different retanning systems on surface properties of leather.
   J. Am. Leather Chem. Ass., Vol.102, pp. 135-142, 2007.
7. Swarna V Kanth, Venba, R., B. Madhan, N.K. Chandrababu, S. Sadulla.
   Studies on the influence of bacterial collagenase in leather dyeing.
   Dyes and pigments, Vol. 76, pp.338-347, 2008.
8. B. Madhan, G. Balaji, R. Aravindhan, Swarna V Kanth, S. Sadulla, J. Ragava Rao.
   Glove leather manufacture from sheepskins: Influence of fatliquors and syntans on the gloving properties.
   J. Am. Leather Chem. Ass., Vol.103, pp. 182-190, 2008.
9. R. Aravindhan, B. Madhan, P. Thanikaivelan, Swarna V Kanth, J. Ragava Rao, C.S. Gnanasekaran, B. Unni Nair.
   Upgradation of leathers: Masking defects using pigments in pre-finishing processes.
   J. Sci. Ind. Res., Vol.67, pp. 233-238, 2008.
10. R. Venba, Swarna V. Kanth, N.K. Chandrababu.
    Novel approach towards high exhaust chromium tanning – Part I: Role of enzymes in tanning process.
    J. Am. Leather Chem. Ass., Vol.103, pp. 401-411, 2008.
11. Swarna V Kanth, W. Madhulatha, B. Madhan, R. Venba, N. K. Chandrababu.
    Stabilization of natural fiber collagen using vegetable tannins: An effective enzyme assisted process.
    J. Natural Fibers, Vol.5, pp. 404-428, 2008.
12. Swarna V Kanth, P. Ramesh Kannan, A. Tamil Selvi, P. Saravanan, J. Raghava Rao, R. Rengasamy.
    Phytoremediation of Soil using Sesuvium Portulacastrum - Part I: Removal of Na⁺ and Cl^- from Tannery Wastewater Treated Soil.
    J. Am. Leather Chem. Ass., Vol.104, pp.17-24, 2009.   
13. Swarna V Kanth, S.Preethi, B.Keerthi, A. Tamil Selvi,  P. Saravanan, J. Raghava Rao, B. Unni Nair.
    Studies on the use of Sesuvium Portulacastrum - Part II: Preservation of Skins.
    J. Am. Leather Chem. Ass., Vol.104, pp.25-32, 2009.    
14. P. Ramesh Kannan, S. Deepa, Swarna V Kanth, J. Raghava Rao, C.S. Gnanasekaran, R. Rengasamy.
    Studies on the use of Sesuvium portulacastrum - part III: Phytoremediation of  Salt Contaminated soils of Tannery Wastewater.
    J. Am. Leather Chem. Ass., Vol. 104, pp. 416-422, 2009.
15. Swarna V Kanth, R.Venba, B. Madhan, N. K. Chandrababu, S. Sadulla.
    Cleaner tanning practices for tannery pollution abatement: Role of enzymes in eco-friendly vegetable tanning.
    Journal of Cleaner Production, Vol. 17, pp. 507-515, 2009. 
16. Swarna V Kanth, R. Venba, G.C. Jayakumar, N.K. Chandrababu.
    Kinetics of leather dyeing pretreated with enzymes: Role of acid protease.
    Bioresource Technology, Vol. 100, pp. 2430-2435, 2009.
17. Swarna V Kanth, R.Abirami, J. Raghava Rao, B. Unni Nair.
    Stabilization of type I collagen using dialdehyde cellulose.
    Process Biochemistry, Vol. 44, pp.869-874, 2009.
18. P. Ramesh Kannan, Swarna V Kanth, B. Chandrasekaran, J. Raghava Rao, C.S. Gnanasekaran, R. Rengasamy.
    Phytoremediation of Tannery Wastewater Treated Lands: Part 1: Accumulation of Na⁺ and Cl^– in Salicornia brachiate.
    J. Soc. Leather Technol. Chem., Vol. 93, pp. 233-239, 2009.
19. P. Ramesh Kannan, S. Deepa, A. Yasothai, Swarna V Kanth, J. Raghava Rao, B. Chandrasekaran.
    Phytoremediation of Tannery Wastewater Treated Lands Part 2: Reusing harvested Salicornia Brachiata Plants for the Preservation of Sheep Skins.
    J. Soc. Leather Technol. Chem., Vol. 93, pp. 240-244, 2009.
20. Swarna V. Kanth, P. Ramesh Kannan, N. Usharani, G.C. Jayakumar, A. Yasothai, B. Chandrasekaran.
    Studies on the use of enzymes in tanning process: part I. High exhaust vegetable tanning.
    Journal of American Leather Chemists Assocation, Vol. 104, pp. 406- 415, 2009.
21. Swarna V. Kanth, P. Ramesh Kannan, N. Usharani, G.C. Jayakumar, S. Deepa, B. Chandrasekaran.
    Studies on the use of Enzymes in tanning process: part II. Kinetics of vegetable tanning process.
    J. Am. Leather Chem. Ass., Vol. 105, pp. 16- 24, 2010.
22. G.C. Jayakumar, Swarna V Kanth, B. Chandrasekaran, J. Raghava Rao, B. Unni Nair.
    Preparation of antimicrobial activity of scleraldehyde from Schizophyllum commune,
    Carbohydrate Research 
23. G.C. Jayakumar, L. Santana bala,  Swarna V Kanth,  B. Chandrasekaran, J. Raghava Rao, B. Unni Nair.
    Combination tanning system based on dialdehyde alginic acid : An Ecoriendly organic approach.
    J. Am. Leather Chem. Ass., Vol -106, 2011.
24. Musa,A.E., B Madhan, R Aravindhan, Swarna V Kanth,  J Raghava Rao.
    Studies on the henna-glutaraldehyde combination tanning system.
    J. Am. Leather Chem. Ass., Vol -106, 2011.
25. G. C. Jayakumar, Swarna V Kanth, K. Purna Sai, B. Chandrasekaran, J. Raghava Rao, B. Unni Nair.
    Scleraldehyde as a stabilizing agent for collagen scaffold preparation.
    Carbohy. Pol.  Vol. 87, 2012.
26. N.Usharani, G.C.Jayakumar,  Swarna V Kanth, B.Chandrasekaran, J. Raghava Rao.
    Molecular Understanding of Collagen Stabilization: Interaction of Valeraldehyde with Collagen.
    J. Macromol Sci. A, Vol 49, 2012.
27. Swarna V Kanth,  G.C.Jayakumar, S.C.Ramkumar, B.Chandrasekaran, J. Raghava Rao.
    Studies on the development of leathers from Formaldehyde-Free Melamine Syntan.
    J. Am. Leather Chem. Ass., Vol 107, 2012.
28. G Umamaheswari, M Boopalan, M J. Uma pathy, Swarna V Kanth. 
    Studies on Mechanical Properties of Schiffs Base Reinforced Epoxy Composites.
    Asian journal of chemistry, Vol 24, 2012.
29. G Umamaheswari, Swarna V Kanth, M J Umapathy.
    Preparation and Characterization of Novel Schiff Base Obtained from DialdehydeGalactomannan and Aniline.
    Asian journal of chemistry, Vol 24, 2012.
30. Nagarajan Usharani, G C Jayakumar, Swarna V Kanth, J. Raghava Rao.
    In vitro; evaluation of the anti-oxidant activity in relation with structure and kinetic properties of scleraldehyde.
    Bio active Carbohydrate and Dietary Fibre, Vol 2, 2013.
31. Malathy Jawahar, R Venba, G Jyothi, Swarna V Kanth, M J Doss, NK Chandra Babu.
    Dry colour prediction of leather from its wet state.
    Coloration Technology, Vol 129, 2013.
32. N Usharani, Nagarajan, GC. Jayakumar, Swarna V Kanth,
    Identification of Bilirubin Binding Site in Type I Collagen.
    International journal of peptide research and therapeutics, Vol 19, 2013.
33. Deepa S, Ramesh Kannan P, Swarna V Kanth, J Raghava Rao, B Chandrasekaran.
    Antioxidant and cytotoxic effects of methanolic extract of SalicorniabrachiataL. in HepG2 cells.
    Int. J. Res. Pharm. Sci, Vol 4, 2013.
34. Deepa S, Ramesh Kannan P, Swarna V Kanth, J Raghava Rao, B Chandrasekaran.
    Studies on the physiological and biochemical characteristics of Salicornia brachiatia.
    Desalin. Water Treat, Vol 4, 2013.
35. P Ramesh Kannan, S Deepa, Swarna V Kanth, R. Rengasamy.
    Growth, Osmolyte Concentration and Antioxidant Enzymes in the Leaves of Sesuviumportulacastrum L. Under Salinity Stress.
    Applied biochemistry and biotechnology, Vol 171, 2013.
36. N Usharani, GC Jayakumar, Swarna V Kanth, J Raghava Rao.
    Stabilization of collagen through bioconversion: An insight in protein–protein interaction.
    Biopolymers, Vol 101, 2014.
37. GC Jayakumar, N. Usharani, A. Yasothai, Swarna V Kanth, J Raghava Rao.
    Kinetics of Inhibition of Type I Collagenase by Dialdehyde Cellulose in Stabilization of Type I Collagen.
    J. Am. Leather Chem. Ass, Vol 110, 2015.
38. GC Jayakumar, Swarna V Kanth, J Raghava Rao, B U Nair.
    A Molecular Level Investigation of Dialdehyde Starch Interaction with Collagen for Eco-friendly Stabilization.
    J. Am. Leather Chem. Ass., Vol 119, 2015.
39. Umamaheswari G, Sanuja S, Vino Arul John, Swarna V Kanth, Umapathy M J.
    Preparation, characterization and anti-bacterial activity of zinc oxide-gelatin nanocomposite film for food packaging applications.
    Polymers & polymer composites, Vol 23, 2015.

List of Books published

• Self- Instructional Books – 11
• Basic competencies books - 11
• Supplementary Reading Block
• Students Handbook, Prospectus and Admission formalities book for distance education and open learning for Tannery Workers Vocational Training for Leather Technology Mission in collaboration with Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) was prepared.

Papers presented in National and International conference

1. Innovative Education in Leather Technology.
   XXVI International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Society (IULTCS) Congress,
   Cape Town, South Africa, March 7-10, 2001.
2. Competency Based Vocational Training for Tannery Workers – Extension education approach through open learning and distance education mode.
   XXVI IULTCS Congress,
   Cape Town, South Africa. March 7-10, 2001.
3. CLRI – A dynamic archetype of Human Resource Development for the Indian Leather Sector.
   Leather Research Industry Get together (LERIG),
   CLRI, Chennai, India. January 27–31, 2001.
4. Formaldehyde in leather –Concern of the leather industry.
   Leather Research Industry Get together (LERIG),
   CLRI, Chennai, India. January 27–31, 2001.
5. World Wide Web – Medium for Teaching, Training and Research in Leather Technology.
   Leather Research Industry Get together (LERIG),
   CLRI, Chennai, India. January 27–31, 2002.
6. Technical Education for Shop Floor Tannery Workers.
   Leather Research Industry Get together (LERIG),
   CLRI, Chennai, India. January 27–31, 2002.
7. Innovative method of recipe formulation in leather finishing. LERIG, CLRI, Chennai, India. January 27 –31, 2003.
8. International Training in Leather Technology – An Indian Perspective. LERIG, CLRI, Chennai, India. January 27 –31, 2003.
9. Electronic Commerce – A Marketing system for the Indian Leather sector. LERIG, CLRI, Chennai, India. January 27 –31, 2004.
10. Eco-Benign options in leather processing. Leather Research Industry Get together (LERIG), CLRI, Chennai, India. January 27–31,2004.
11. Ecological and Environmental Concerns in Finishing Operations – VOC emissions. Innovation in Leather Science and Technology, CLRI, Chennai, India. April 24, 2005.
12. Polychlorinated alkanes in leather – A new environmental concern. Innovation in Leather Science and Technology, CLRI, Chennai, India. April 24, 2005.
13. Eco-friendly dyeing of leather: Role of acid protease. CHEMCON conference, IIT- Guwahati India. December 7-9^th 2005.
14. An Eco-Friendly Tanning System for Leather. CHEMCON conference, IIT, Gawahati, India. 7-9^th December 2005.
15. Stabilization of collagen using dialdehyde alginic acid - an ecofriendly tanning system. IULTCS Congress, Istanbul, Turkey. May 22-27, 2006.
16. Studies on surface properties of leather - effect of finishing formulations. IULTCS Congress, Washington DC, USA. June 20-24, 2007.
17. Biodegradable leathers - Role of biopolymers as tanning agents for biodegradation. IULTCS Congress, Washington DC, USA. June 20-24, 2007.
18. Biological reduction of chromium (VI) in leather by chromate reductase. IULTCS Congress, Washington DC, USA. June 20-24, 2007.
19. Zero formaldehyde syntan. LERIG, CLRI, Chennai, India. January 28-31, 2008.
20. Phytoremediation of chromium from tannery wastewater polluted lands. Leather Research Industry Get together, LERIG, CLRI, Chennai, India. January 28-31, 2008.
21. Eco-benign solutions for reduction of TDS in tanning sector. LERIG, CLRI, Chennai, India. January 28-31, 2008.
22. Zero formaldehyde syntan. XXX  IULTCS congress, October 11-14,  2009. Beijing, China.
23. Eco-benign Solutions for Reduction of Total Dissolved Salts in Leather Sector. XXX IULTCS congress, Beijing, China, October 11-14,  2009.
24. Natural Pigments for Leather Finishing: Role of Biocolourants from Monascus Purpureus. XXX IULTCS congress, Beijing, China, October 11-14, 2009.
25. Studies on tolerance and accumulation of salt by Salicornia brachiata and its potential for phytoremediation. XXXI International Union of  Leather Technologists and Chemists Society congress, Valencia, Spain, October 2011.
26. Greener Leather Processing: Development of Bio-energy from Biodegradable and Recyclable Leathers. XXXI International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Society congress, Valencia, Spain, October 2011.
27. Color prediction in wet leather – Mathematical modelling using linear regression. XXXI International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Society congress, Valencia, Spain, October 2011.
28. Stabilization of collagen using aldehyde forming enzyme – An approach towards enzyme tanning. XXXI International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Society congress, Valencia, Spain, October 2011.
29. Fibre stabilization before Enzyme-only beam house operation – An innovative approach for fail-safe chemical-free process. XXXI International Union of  Leather Technologists and Chemists Society congress, Valencia, Spain, October 2011.
30. Solid Waste Management of used Leather and Leather Products. IX Asian International Conference of Leather Science and Technology, Taipei,Taiwan, November, 12-14,  2012.
31. Development of Eco-benign Leathers: Leather Processing using Greener Tanning and Dyeing Materials. IX Asian International Conference of Leather Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan, November, 12-14, 2012.
32. Ecology solutions for total dissolved salt reduction in tannery wastewater treated lands. IX Asian International Conference of Leather Science and Technology, Taipei, Taiwan, November, 12-14, 2012.
33. Molecular Interactions in Collagen Stabilization of Farmed Alopexlagopus (Fox) for its Prospective Use as Leather. XXXII International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Society congress, Istanbul, Turkey, May 28-31, 2013.
34. The Analysis of Carbon Footprint of Biodegradability in Leather during Manufacture. XXXII International Union of  Leather Technologists and Chemists Society congress, Istanbul, Turkey, May 28-31,  2013.
35. Mathematical Regression Technique to Correlate Visual and Instrumental Colour Analysis for Leather Industry. XXXII International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Society congress, Istanbul, Turkey, May 28-31,  2013.
36. Identifying human resource innovations to nurture innovative climate in research and development organization dedicated to leather and allied sciences Dialdehyde cellulose: A bi-functional crosslinking macromolecule for Type I collagen. X Asian International Conference of Leather Science and Technology, Okayama, Japan, November, 23-26,  2014.
37. Eco-friendly fungicidal compounds from bixa orellana leave extract and its leather application. X Asian International Conference of Leather Science and Technology, Okayama, Japan, November, 23-26, 2014.
38. Studies on antifungal activity of lemon peel extract for leather application. X Asian International Conference of Leather Science and Technology, Okayama, Japan, November, 23-26, 2014.
39. Intelligent leathers and innovative products: chameleon effect based smart leather finishes. X Asian International Conference of Leather Science and Technology, Okayama, Japan, November, 23-26, 2014.
40. Preservation of hides and skin with less salt and phyto-extract for cleaner curing technology. X Asian International Conference of Leather Science and Technology, Okayama, Japan, November, 23-26, 2014.
41. Synthesis and characterization of dialdehyde galactomannan cross-linked gelatin edible films for food packaging application. 2nd “National Conference on New Renaissance in Chemical Research" India, on 28^th and 29^th August 2015.
42. Studies on Vanillin cross-linked gelatin film as novel food packaging material. 2nd “National Conference on New Renaissance in Chemical Research" India, on 28^th and 29^th August 2015.

Honors and Awards received

• Received top 10 scientists award – CSIR-CLRI for contribution towards impact factor for international publications for the year 2009 - 2010
• Secured merit rank in Mathematical Olympiad at international level (A Talent Search Competition at School)
• CSIR foundation day – First prize won for the paper “enzymatic dyeing of leathers”
• Won Best Paper and 1st Prize at the conference CHEMCON, IIT, Guwahati, 7-9^th December, 2006 for the paper entitled “An Eco-Friendly Tanning System for Leather”.
• Won 1st Prize for the Paper Entitled “Influence of proteolytic enzymes in leather dyeing” at the CSIR foundation day celebrations at CLRI, 26th September, 2006
• Won 1st Prize – Basic Science Category for the poster at the 42nd LERIG, 28-31 Jan 2008 for the paper entitled “Zero formaldehyde syntan”.
• Won 1st Prize – Applied Science Category for the poster at the 42nd LERIG, 28-31 Jan 2008 for the paper entitled “Phytoremediation of chromium from tannery wastewater polluted lands”.
• Won several awards in sports and several competitions
• Mecca Hazi Abdul Majid endowment award won for the following B. Tech and M.S., project works guided by me

           a) "Formaldehyde free leather with required characteristics" - 1998.

           b) "Studies on the preparation and application of syntan with less free formaldehyde content" - 1999

           c) "Stabilization of Collagen using Biopolymers" - 2006

           d) "Collagen based protein binders" - 2009

Notable Achievements in HRD

• Providing technically trained human resources to the Indian leather & leather products sector at various levels of management by training B.Tech, M.Tech, PhD, P.G Diploma & Diploma candidates
• Certification of neo-literate tannery workers at work place through open learning and distance education mode under Leather Technology Mission
• Training of artisans at varied capacity through HRD and other Mission Mode Programs 
• Rehabilitation of rationalized employees - Sponsored by Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises
• Empowerment of Leather Co-operatives in Gujarat - Training, tutoring and mentoring on technology upgradation and management - Sponsored by Gujarat Rural Industries Marketing Corporation
• Imparting pedagogic skills to instructors from overseas institutes
• International Training for Global Leather Sector
• Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme
• Support to Artisanal Cluster Development
• Development of leather and product based institutions
• Skill Development for leather sector

Notable Achievements in R&D

• Consultation rendered to leather industry for solving the issue of formaldehyde in leathers in accordance to euro norms
• Development of Formaldehyde–free leather and leather chemicals
• Cleaner production and Innovative methods in finishing operations
• Setting up of R&D and Quality Control Lab for leather Industries
• Newer applications in enzyme assisted leather process technology
• Development of Biodegradable Leather and Leather Products
• Phytoremediation of Tannery Waste Water Contaminated Lands
• Development of collagen based protein binders
• Development of colour changing leathers as smart application
• Development of newer applications as niche leathers