MSc in Nutraceuticals - Nutraceuticals Course

Master of Science in Food Science and Nutraceuticals

Programme Overview

The Master of Science (MSc) in Food Science and Nutraceuticals at Somaiya Vidyavihar University is designed to provide students with advanced knowledge and practical skills in the science of food, nutrition, and the growing field of nutraceuticals. The primary objective of this program is to equip students with a deep understanding of the principles underlying food processing, quality control, functional foods, and the use of natural bioactive compounds in health promotion. The program aims to produce professionals who can innovate and contribute to the development of sustainable, nutritious, and health-enhancing food products, ensuring food safety, nutrition security, and public health.

The curriculum is designed to blend theoretical knowledge with hands-on laboratory and industrial experience, preparing graduates to meet the challenges of the food and health industries.
The core courses include Nutraceuticals, Characterization of Nutraceuticals and Foods, Nutrigenomics, Medical Nutrition, Technology for the Development of Functional Foods , IPR, QA – QC, Nutraceutical regulations, Food Science and Food Processing, Food Microbiology, Sensory Evaluation, Toxicology, Food Additives, Research Methodology, Entrepreneurship, Financial and Infrastructure Management.
Students also have an opportunity to carry out 4-6 months of internship/ research project.

Key Information

Duration

2 Year

Programme Code

ST4440

Mode of study

Full time

Campus

Vidyavihar - Mumbai

Institute

Somaiya School of Basic and Applied Sciences

Apply Now Enquire Admission Details

Program Objectives

Internship Opportunities

Pedagogy

Curriculum

Scope

Research Publications and Achievements

Graduate Attributes

Programme Objectives

To familiarize the students with all facets of Nutraceutical Industry. To develop understanding of basic biochemistry during food processes.
To comprehend interaction of food with the human physiology, under normal and disease conditions.
Demonstrate effective communication skills through development of listening and writing skills.To overview dietary needs of an individual with regular or specific needs based on their age / occupation / environment / physical state.
To develop skill for selection of raw material, their efficient processing with minimum loss of principle component, and ideal shelf life for different food / Nutraceutical products.
To compare suitable food articles / supplements that complement the therapeutic modalities and / or prevent occurrence of disease.
To develop analytical skills used in food testing and quality control.
To exercise combinations of conventional biological sciences with modern genomic and proteomic technologies of manufacturing and analysis of Nutraceuticals.
To acquaint the students with regulations for food / Nutraceuticals products.

Pedagogy

The experiential teaching technique with unique combination of traditional and modern ICT tools makes the students ‘Job-Ready’ right during the course. The Internship / Project in fourth semester provides the opportunity to have the hint of the actual professional world, polish their skills and confirm their own aptitude for their area of interest.

At the heart of the Nutraceuticals program lies a dedication to research, anchoring its foundation and driving innovation in the field.

Ongoing Research Projects in Nutraceuticals:

Formulation of cereal-based fortified products and validation of efficacy in alleviating iron deficiency anemia among adolescents in India and Kenya. Global alliance - Somaiya Vidyavihar University – Michigan State University, USA – Egerton University, Kenya.
Formulation and Evaluation of Physicochemical, Nutritional, and Nutraceutical properties of Fermented Tea prepared from cost-effective raw materials. Somaiya Faculty Seed funding.
Nutraceutical and nutritional analysis of Arecacea palm varieties
Studies on anticancer activity of pumpkin seeds.
Enhancing nutritional value and rheological properties of iron-enriched soup mixes through dry fish and germinated green gram.
Development of nutrient and energy dense fruit bar for malnourished populations.

Industrial Visits :

Mapro Industries
Mala Industries
AAK India Pvt Ltd
Annamrita Foundation
Sahyadri Farms Pvt. Ltd.

Student activities and programs Academic Year 2024-25

Ghost audits for Apsara ice-cream
Nutrivibe – Departmental Fest
Seminars on Research Opportunities in Nutraceuticals
Workshops on Nutritional and Anthropometric Assessment, Patent Claim Drafting

Curriculum

Semester I	Semester II
Nutraceuticals	Food Microbiology
Characterization of food and Nutraceuticals	Food Science and Food Processing
Nutrigenomics, Biostatistics, Bioinformatics	Technologies for development of functional foods
Instrumentation	Role of Nutraceuticals in Clinical Dietetics
	Research Methodology

Semester III	Semester IV
Sensory Evaluation, toxicology, food additives	4-5 month Project in Parent Institute/ Research Institute / Industry
QA, QC and Intellectual Property Rights	Entrepreneurship
Packaging and Marketing of Nutraceutical products	Medical Nutrition
Food Regulation

Scope

Research

With the principle of “Let food be your medicine” students can make various food supplements

To prevent diseases
As Immunomodulators
As Therapeutic adjuvants

Students can explore the world of authentic, indigenous plants and discover / Identify / Isolate various Phytonutraceuticals and their role in Health.

Industry

M.Sc. Food Science and Nutraceuticals equips the students venture into the Food and Nutraceutical Industry which involves

Pre-production testing – Field work of collection of raw materials, Testing and phytonutraceuticals profiling
Food processing unit operator
Quality Control Manager - Maintain the quality of functional food/ Nutraceutical supplements
Market analyst - To do the market surveys and be help industry to grow and develop in all aspects

Entrepreneur

One can make own products and be the young entrepreneur. To boost your confidence, we already have startup like Beaniesnack Foods Pvt Ltd - Health Etos, Growbar Greens-Microgreens.

Academician

An aspiring individual with good teaching, communication skills, can work in Academics. As such, the core course of M.Sc. Nutraceuticals covers a plethora of basic ‘Life Science ‘ concepts in its foundation, the M.Sc. Nutraceutical degree holder acquires multiple options of core specialization to begin teaching.

Research Publications and Achievements

Recent Awards and Achievements

1st prize for E poster titled, ‘Investigating progress in the treatment of anemia through clinical trials in India in last 10 years: A Bibliometric and Systematic Review’ at RUSA sponsored International Conference (2024-25)./li>
1st prize for Berry Bliss Fig Bites, a nutrition bar for women suffering from menopause at Science Exhibition Pravah (2024-25).
Publication of Millet based recipe for Ragi Thandai on YouTube Channel of Indian Women Scientist Association (2024-25).
Poster presentations at ICFOST conference

Research Publications

AI technologies shaping the future of the cocoa industry from farm to fork: a comprehensive review. Food Science and Biotechnology, 1-25. (2025).
Ethnobotanical importance of the endangered fruits and flowers of India: A comprehensive review of recent studies and conservation efforts – Indian Knowledge System, Empowering Bharat with Ancient Knowledge Repository – Bridging Past, Present and Future, Muhim Publications, India, pp. 254-269. (2024).
Insights into milling of small millets: A comprehensive review, in: S. Pandey, S. Sambhasivan (Eds.), Resurgence of Millets as Super Crops, Empyreal Publishing House, India, pp. 48-60. (2024).