Overview
Background
Dr Saleha Akter is a food and nutrition scientist with expertise in food chemistry, nutritional biochemistry, and functional foods. She has been working with plant-based foods and Australian native crops for more than fifteen years, specialising in understanding how food composition, quality, and safety influence nutrition and human health.
With a background in analytical chemistry and cell-based assays, her expertise lies in assessing the nutrient and bioactive content of foods, evaluating post-harvest and supply chain impacts on food quality, and modelling bioavailability and safety using in vitro digestion and mammalian cell culture systems.
Akter has a strong interest in exploring the health-promoting properties of bioactive compounds, particularly in underutilised and native plant species, and in translating these findings into functional food applications. She also works at the interface of food science and policy, ensuring that research outcomes support innovation, regulation, and public health.
Availability
- Dr Saleha Akter is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Pharmacy, Jahangirnagar University
- Masters (Research) of Pharmacy, Jahangirnagar University
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Food Composition and Nutritional Quality
The nutritional quality of food is determined not only by its genetic makeup but also by how it is grown, harvested, processed, and stored. Across diverse food systems, there are major opportunities to improve human nutrition by identifying how key nutrients and minerals are retained or lost from farm to consumer. Projects in this area include examining the effects of post-harvest practices, characterising nutrient profiles using advanced analytical techniques, and developing strategies that preserve nutritional value in supply chains.
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Bioactive Compounds and Functional Foods
Future foods will increasingly rely on natural bioactive compounds to provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Unlocking the potential of underutilised and native plants requires systematic identification, characterisation, and validation of their bioactive properties. Research in this area includes profiling phytochemicals, assessing their stability and metabolism, and supporting the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals that enhance human health while creating value-added opportunities for agriculture.
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Food Safety and Risk Assessment
Ensuring the safety of emerging foods and ingredients is essential to consumer trust and industry innovation. New analytical and cell-based methods are needed to evaluate potential risks, bioavailability, and metabolism of both nutrients and bioactives. Projects in this area apply in vitro digestion models and mammalian cell culture systems to provide evidence that informs regulatory frameworks, supports product development, and protects public health.
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Supply Chain Quality and Nutrient Retention
Food quality and nutrient retention can be heavily impacted by the way foods are handled, stored, and transported. Reducing post-harvest losses and nutrient degradation is central to improving food security and sustainability. Research in this area focuses on identifying critical control points in supply chains, testing interventions to reduce waste, and developing guidelines that support both industry efficiency and consumer nutrition.
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Research Translation and Policy Impact
Scientific discoveries only achieve their full potential when translated into practice. By connecting food chemistry, nutrition science, and policy, research in this area ensures that innovation in food production and safety aligns with consumer health and industry priorities. Projects may include informing nutrition policy, guiding regulatory frameworks for new ingredients, and supporting the sustainable growth of Australia’s native food sector.
Research impacts
Dr Saleha Akter’s research delivers impact by linking food quality and nutrition science with practical outcomes for health, industry, and policy. Her work has generated new understanding of how food composition and supply chains influence nutrient retention, safety, and bioavailability, providing evidence to improve the nutritional value of everyday diets and strengthen food system resilience.
Through studies on green leafy vegetables and other plant-based foods, she has identified key points where nutrient losses and safety risks occur along the value chain. These findings have informed strategies to reduce post-harvest losses and maintain food quality from farm to consumer. Her work on Australian native plants has advanced knowledge of their unique bioactive compounds, supporting their safe and sustainable use in the development of functional foods and nutraceuticals.
Akter’s application of cell-based models to assess absorption and metabolism of bioactives has offered new tools for both industry and regulators to evaluate safety and efficacy. Her research outcomes contribute directly to policy and regulatory frameworks, ensuring that food innovation is grounded in science and aligned with public health priorities. This has strengthened consumer confidence, supported sustainable industry growth, and enhanced the global profile of Australia’s native food sector.
Works
Search Professor Saleha Akter’s works on UQ eSpace
2017
Conference Publication
Phytates and oxalates in Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana): toxins to be considered
Akter, Saleha, Tinggi, Ujang, Netzel, Michael E., Fletcher, Mary T. and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2017). Phytates and oxalates in Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana): toxins to be considered. 2nd Queensland Annual Chemistry Symposium QACS 2017, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 27 November 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana) kernels: A novel nutrition source
Akter, Saleha, Netzel, Michael, Tinggi, Ujang, Fletcher, Mary and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2017). Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana) kernels: A novel nutrition source. AIFST 50th Anniversary Convention, Sydney, Australia, 17-18 July 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Nutritional and Anti-Nutritional Properties of Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu plum) from the Northern Territory, Australia
Akter, S., Netzel, M., Tinggi, U., Fletcher, M., Williams, D. and Sultanbawa, Y. (2017). Nutritional and Anti-Nutritional Properties of Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu plum) from the Northern Territory, Australia. TropAg2017, International Tropical Agriculture Conference, Brisbane, Qld, Australia, 20-22 November 2017.
2015
Journal Article
Antinociceptive and neuropharmacological activities of methanol extract of Phoenix sylvestris fruit pulp
Shajib, Md. Shafiullah, Akter, Saleha, Ahmed, Tajnin and Imam, Mohammad Zafar (2015). Antinociceptive and neuropharmacological activities of methanol extract of Phoenix sylvestris fruit pulp. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 6 (OCT) 212, 1-12. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2015.00212
2013
Journal Article
Awareness regarding the importance of calcium and vitamin D among the undergraduate pharmacy students in Bangladesh
Uddin, Riaz, Huda, Naz Hasan, Jhanker, Yeakuty Marzan, Jesmeen, Tasbira, Imam, Mohammad Zafar and Akter, Saleha (2013). Awareness regarding the importance of calcium and vitamin D among the undergraduate pharmacy students in Bangladesh. BMC Research Notes, 6 (1) 134. doi: 10.1186/1756-0500-6-134
2012
Journal Article
Antinociceptive, antidiarrheal, and neuropharmacological activities of Barringtonia acutangula
Imam, Mohammad Zafar, Sultana, Shamima and Akter, Saleha (2012). Antinociceptive, antidiarrheal, and neuropharmacological activities of Barringtonia acutangula. Pharmaceutical Biology, 50 (9), 1078-1084. doi: 10.3109/13880209.2012.656850
2012
Journal Article
Antinociceptive activity of methanol extract of flowers of Impatiens balsamina
Imam, Mohammad Zafar, Nahar, Nazmun, Akter, Saleha and Rana, Md. Sohel (2012). Antinociceptive activity of methanol extract of flowers of Impatiens balsamina. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 142 (3), 804-810. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.06.004
2011
Journal Article
Antioxidant activities of different parts of Musa sapientum L. ssp. sylvestris fruit
Imam, Mohammad Zafar, Akter, Saleha, Mazumder, Md. Ehsanul Hoque and Rana, Md. Sohel (2011). Antioxidant activities of different parts of Musa sapientum L. ssp. sylvestris fruit. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 1 (10), 68-72.
2011
Journal Article
Antioxidant and antihyperglycemic activities of methanolic extract of Glinus oppositifolius leaves
Hoque, Nazia, Imam, Mohammad Zafar, Akter, Saleha, Ahmed, Jamiuddin, Mazumder, Ehsanul Hoque, Hasan, S.M. Raquibul and Rana, Sohel (2011). Antioxidant and antihyperglycemic activities of methanolic extract of Glinus oppositifolius leaves. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 1 (7), 50-53.
2011
Journal Article
Musa paradisiaca L. and Musa sapientum L. : A phytochemical and pharmacological review
Imam, Mohammad Zafar and Akter, Saleha (2011). Musa paradisiaca L. and Musa sapientum L. : A phytochemical and pharmacological review. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 1 (5), 14-20.
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Saleha Akter is:
- Available for supervision
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Media
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