imported>Johnpacklambert at 15:45, 17 August 2021

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{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
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{{Infobox scientist
| name = Khem Shahani
| image = Khem Shahani.jpg
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1923|3|1}}
| birth_place =
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2001|7|6|1923|3|1}}
| death_place = [[Sicily]], Italy
| residence =
| fields = [[Microbiology]]
| workplaces = Nebraska Cultures
| alma_mater = [[University of Wisconsin]] (PhD)<br />[[University of Bombay]] (B.S., M.S.)
| doctoral_advisor =
| academic_advisors =
| doctoral_students =
| notable_students =
| known_for = ''[[Lactobacillus acidophilus|Acidophilus]]'' [[Probiotic#Strains|DDS-1]] Strain research
| awards = {{nowrap|Borden Award (1964)}}<br />[[Gamma Sigma Delta]] International Award for Distinguished Service (1966)<br />[[Pfizer Award]] (1977)<br />Outstanding Scientist Award (1977)
| religion =
| signature =
| footnotes =
}}

'''Khem Shahani''' (1923–2001) was an Indian [[microbiologist]] who conducted pioneer research on [[probiotics]] (live microorganisms).

== Career ==

Khem Shahani is best known for his discovery of the [[Probiotic#Strains|DDS-1]] strain of ''[[Lactobacillus acidophilus]]'' in 1959, at the [[University of Nebraska-Lincoln]]. One of his many contributions to biology in the years to come, in this landmark discovery, Shahani observed the high level of stability and nutritional viability of the DDS-1 strain. This unique feature meant that the [[probiotics]] were able to pass through the [[stomach acid]] and implant in the [[intestine]] where it could multiply over 200-fold. Shahani would later name the strain DDS-1 for the Department of Dairy Science Number One strain and spend the rest of his career unlocking its potential for improving overall health.

During his lengthy career, Shahani published over 200 articles in [[peer reviewed]] scientific journals and was a consultant for international agencies such as the [[World Health Organization]].<ref>{{cite web
| title = Khem Shahani
| publisher = Vital Health Publishing
| url = http://www.vitalhealthbooks.com/author/2410474068.html
| access-date = 12 February 2009}}</ref> Among these, 80 publications were about Probiotics and Lactic Cultures.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Dr. Shahani's probiotic research
| publisher = Nebraska Cultures
| url = http://nebraskacultures.com/htmls/research/kms_probiotics.html
| access-date = 12 February 2009
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090327090843/http://nebraskacultures.com/htmls/research/kms_probiotics.html
| archive-date = 27 March 2009
| url-status = dead
}}</ref>

In 1981, Shahani founded Nebraska Cultures, a [[probiotics]] manufacturing and research company. Today, Nebraska Cultures is one of the largest international [[probiotic]] supplement manufacturers and suppliers. He served as a consultant for several food and feed supplements and nutrients manufacturing and marketing companies, including Klaire Laboratories, National Enzyme Company, Nutraceutical Corporation, Kovac, TwinLab, Arise & Shine, American Biologics, Cell Tech (now New Earth Life Sciences), Infinity2, Nutratec SAS, and others.

Khem Shahani died on 6 July 2001 while on a speaking tour in [[Sicily]] (Italy).<ref>{{cite web
| title = Food Science Newsletter
| publisher = [[University of Wisconsin–Madison]], Department of Food Science
| url = http://foodsci.wisc.edu/news/2002/foodsci200206.pdf
| access-date = 12 February 2009}}</ref> In 2005, a professorship was established at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) in his name, honouring his work as scientist and professor.<ref>{{cite web
| title = Professorship honors pioneering microbiologist and longtime UNL food scientist Khem Shahani
| publisher = University of Nebraska Foundation
| url = http://newhope360.com/supply-news-amp-analysis/new-scholarship-honor-late-dr-khem-shahani
| access-date = 12 February 2009}}</ref>

== Academic background ==
Khem Shahani earned the BS (1943, Major: Dairy and Food Technology; and Nutritional Microbiology) and the MS (1947, Major: Dairy Chemistry; Minor: [[Microbiology]]) degrees at the [[University of Bombay]], then the PhD (1950, Major: Food and Dairy Science; Minor: [[Biochemistry]]) at the [[University of Wisconsin]].

== Research and teaching ==

Khem Shahani taught at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 1950 to 1952 and Ohio State University at Columbus from 1953 to 1957.

In 1957 Shahani accepted a post at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in the department of Dairy Science, later changed to the Department of Food Science and Technology in 1961. He retired from full-time teaching in 1994, but continued some teaching and research until 2000.

Shahani conducted basic research and developmental work as related to the science and technology of dairy foods – bioprocessed and cultured foods; lactic cultures, especially ''[[Lactobacillus acidophilus]]'', food safety, food [[Fermentation (food)|fermentation]], human and animal nutrition, food and feed supplements, bioprocessed and cultured foods, significance and role of proteins and enzymes in milk and other foods, [[whey]] utilisation, water quality, [[vitamins]], [[antibiotics]] and toxins in foods, human milk, infant foods, and biotechnology.

The professorial activity of Shahani consisted in teaching several multidisciplinary courses in Food Science and Technology, [[Biotechnology]], Fermentation technology, for graduate students. He also supervised 16 postdoctoral fellows, 16 PhD candidates, and 22 MS candidates.

== Research and management ==

In his lifetime, Shahani administered and supervised a large number of research projects with several graduate students and postdoctoral fellows actively engaged in [[biochemical]] and nutritional research work. He supervised three research projects and worked with several national and international students and postdoctorals from the United States, the Middle East, China, India, Korea, Africa, South America and Romania. He served as a member and Chairman of the Academic Planning Committee of the [[University of Nebraska-Lincoln]] pertaining to academic affairs and budget allocations.

== Honors and awards ==
*[[Borden (company)|Borden]] Award of the American Dairy Science Association for Excellence in Research in Dairy Manufacturing (Dairy [[Microbiology]] and Dairy Chemistry) – 1964
*[[Gamma Sigma Delta]] International Award for Distinguished Service to Agriculture – 1966. Dr. Shahani was the youngest scientist ever to receive this award.
*[[Sigma Xi]] Outstanding Scientist Award, [[University of Nebraska]] – 1977
*[[Pfizer]] Award of the American Dairy Science Association for excellence in research and development in the areas of lactic cultures and cultured products – 1977
*Nordica International Award of the American Cultured Dairy Products Institute for excellence in research and development in the area of lactic cultures, yogurt and other cultured products – 1977. Dr. Shahani was the recipient of the First Nordica Award.
*Elected as a Fellow of the Institute of Food Technologists – 1983
*Dairy Research Foundation Award of the American Dairy Science Association for distinguished service and research in the area of lactic cultures, cheese and other cultured products – 1983. Dr. Shahani was the first recipient of the three major awards of the ADSA.

== Patents ==
#US Patents (No. 3,689,640), "Antibiotic Acidophilin and Process of Preparing the Same.",
#US Patent (No. 4,279,998), "Regeneration of Immobilized Enzymes". Has two more patent applications pending on "Cofermentation of Whey and Grain to produce Industrial Alcohol".

== Books ==
Shahani, K.M., Meshbesher, B, and Mangampalli, V. ''Cultivate Health From Within: Dr. Shahani’s Guide to Probiotics.'' Vital Health Publishers, Danbury, 2005. {{ISBN|1-890612-42-1}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://drshahaniprobiotics.com/dr-khem-shahani-1923-2001/ Dr. Khem Shahani (Curriculum Vitae)]

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shahani, Kem}}
[[Category:1923 births]]
[[Category:2001 deaths]]
[[Category:University of Mumbai alumni]]
[[Category:University of Nebraska–Lincoln faculty]]
[[Category:Indian microbiologists]]
[[Category:American science writers]]
[[Category:Indian medical researchers]]
[[Category:American food scientists]]
[[Category:Indian food scientists]]
[[Category:Sindhi people]]
[[Category:Indian emigrants to the United States]]

Khem Shahani - Revision history

imported>Johnpacklambert at 15:45, 17 August 2021