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ਪੰਜਾਬ ਐਗਰੀਕਲਚਰਲ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ
PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY

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ਪੰਜਾਬ ਖੇਤੀਬਾੜੀ ਯੂਨੀਵਰਸਿਟੀ
PUNJAB AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY

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College of Agriculture / Food Science & Technology / Faculty

Faculty

Name : Dr. Poonam Aggarwal Sachdev

Designation : Principal Food Technologist (Vegetable)

Phone : +91 9855055871

E-mail : sachdev_poonam@pau.edu

Research areas: Basic and applied research in Fruits and Vegetable Technology

Researcher Ids: Google Scholar

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=jM9OnVYAAAAJ&hl=en

Research Gate:

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Poonam-Sachdev

ORCID : 0000-0002-9897-2566

 

Brief Introduction

Dr. Poonam Aggarwal has been an integral part of Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) for over 34 years, making exceptional contributions in research, teaching, and extension. As the former Head of the Department of Food Science and Technology (FST) for more than five years, she played a pivotal role in laying a robust foundation for the department. Her leadership was instrumental in securing over Rs.10 crore in external funding across multiple projects and establishing four major incubators at PAU. Dr. Aggarwal’s academic output is prolific, with over 160 research papers, 28 review articles, 2 books, 22 book chapters, 16 manuals and bulletins, more than 10 full papers, and over 130 abstracts presented at national and international conferences. She has also contributed more than 110 extension articles and has four patents to her credit, with three already granted. She has successfully led or co-led 25 externally funded projects in research, teaching, and extension as PI. Co-PI and Head. As a dedicated mentor, Dr. Aggarwal has guided 28 MSc and 12 PhD students as a major advisor, in addition to serving as a minor advisor and Dean’s Nominee for over 85 students. Her contributions to extension education are equally impressive, having organized 120 training programs, 78 workshops, and delivered more than 400 extension lectures. She has participated in 155 national and international workshops and training programs, including international exposure in Israel and the USA, and has been invited to present at conferences in Nepal, Kuwait, and Pakistan. In recognition of her outstanding work, Dr. Aggarwal has received numerous accolades, including the Best Professor Award, Best Researcher Award, Chhinana award, and the prestigious University Award for Best Scientific Contribution, along with a Merit award for excellence in research, teaching, and extension. Recently in 2024-25 she has been awarded the Distuingish Professor award from Indian Association of Food Scientists and Technologists and another award for the Best Scientist contributor to the Punjab Agricutural University.She has also been honored for the development and commercialization of shelf-stable sugarcane juice bottling technology, along with more than 30 other innovative food technologies, which have been transferred to stakeholders across the country to foster resource generation and promote entrepreneurship.   Professional Accomplishments Research Projects completed/ on going:
  • On-going
S. No Title of the project PI/ Co PI Funding agency and budget (Rs.Lacs) Year of start Year of completion Collaboration
1. Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure in Universities and Higher Education Institution (FIST) Grant- 2020 (Level-1) PI DST, 40.00 2022 2027 –
2. National Initiative For Developing And Harnessing Innovations, Technology Business Incubator (NIDHI-TBI) CoPI DST, 340.00 2022 2027 PAU Food Entrepreneurship Development Society
3. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana – Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sectors Rejuvination (RKVY-RAFTAAR), Agri Business Incubators (R-ABIs) Co PI RKVY,133 2018 Onwards Directorate of Ext. Edu.
  • Completed 
S. No Title of the project PI/Co PI Funding agency and budget (Rs.Lacs) Year of start Year of completion Collaboration
4. Preparation of non-alcoholic naturally carbonated beverages from fruit.  Co PI UGC (`7.12) 2006 2009 In collaboration with Deptt. Of Microbiology
5. Development of convenience health foods using extrusion technology  Co-PI CSIR, CSS-35, (`7.37) 2007 2010 –
6. Mitigating the effect of climate change on crop productivity. Component IV.  Effect of climate change on quality of fresh and processed product Co-PI Purse Scheme DST (CSS-41)(6.00 crore) 2011 2014 Fruit Sci., Plant Breed., Biochem., Processing Engg., Micrp., Foods and Nutr.
7. Development of Technologies for ready to use onion Products PI CSIR,                  (CSS-46), (`17.0) 2012 2015 Vegetable Science
8. Studies on the development of carbonated Juices and Beverages from pure fruit juice PI UGC (12.00) 2012 2015 –
9. Development of Cereal Health Bars CoPI UGC, (11.98) 2013 2016 –
10. Establishment of food processing training cum business incubation centre (skill development centre) at Bathinda  CoPI State Govt. Misc. 150/87 (100) 2014 2016 –
11. Utilization of Paddy straw for Biochar and energy purpose CoPI Misc. (PC-4583)  (45) 2016 2022 –
12. Experiential Learning Unit- Setting Up of Facilities for Entrepreneurship, (Fruits and Vegetable Processing) PI ICAR (60.0) 2018 2020
13. Implementation of setting up/ up gradation of Quality Control / Food Testing Laboratories at Regional Center at BATHINDA PI ICAR- 104 (101) 2017 2022
14. Addressing Food Security Through Nutritionally Enriched Improved Cultivars and Technologies for Swasth Bharat Theme V. Value addition of field and vegetable crops for improved nutrition CoPI DST, New Delhi 2017 2023 Depts. PbG, FST, Ento, PP ,
15. Experiential Learning of scheme, Strengthening and development of higher education in India(Production of value-added Convenience foods) PI PC 2538 (60) 2019 2020
16. AICRP Project on Process Optimization and Utilization of Potential Crops Associate sci 2.0 2020 2022
17. Valorization and dissemination of galgal citrus pseudolimon tan. processing techniques for the sustainable livelihood of weaker sections of the society Co-PI DST, 58.91 2021 2024
18. Low-cost technology for utilization of non-commercial potato varieties for adoption at farm gate level CoPi RKVY (RAFTAAR), 15.00 2022 2023
  •  Miscellaneous Projects
19. R&D project with technology transfer and processing facilities on “ Guava Juice concentrate” Misc-101 PI M/S Kohinoor International Agro Products, Srinagar 2000 2000 –
20. Punjab Agricultural University and Food Processing: New Linkages with Agribusiness Sector CoPI USAID 2004 2007 –
21. R&D project with technology transfer and processing facilities on “ Ready to serve fruit drinks from peach, guava, mango, litchi and pomegranate.” Misc. 106.  PI M/S Param Health Foods Mohali (`2.07 lakhs) 2006, June 2006, August –
22. Canning of fruit and Vegetable PI Scheme-Emergent need of DR Misc 6, (`5.50 lakhs) 2013 2014 –
23. Technology for bottling of shelf stable sugarcane juice PI Scheme-Emergent need of DR Misc 58 (PC 4486), (`1.0 lakh) 2014 2015 –
  • As Head
24. Development of edible Coating from tomato and guava seed oil for shelf-life extension of their fresh fruits PI: Swati Kapoor CSS  112 (PC 6225), (27.28) 2017 2020 PHPTC, CIPHET
25. Shelf-life extension of paneer and soya paneer through hurdle approach  Dr Jaspreet Kaur (PI) Punjab State Biotech Corporation, Mohali 6.04 2020 2021 PFE, Micro.
  Research Publications:
    1. Dip G, Aggarwal P, Kapoor A, Grover S and Kaur S (2025) Recovery of high-value components from Bauhinia variegata leaves using ultrasound-microwave-assisted extraction technique. Biomass Bioenerg 195: 107709. (NAAS Rating 12)
    2. Grover S, Aggarwal P, Kumar A, Kaur S, Yadav R and Babbar N (2025) Utilizing citrus peel waste: A review of essential oil extraction, characterization, and food-industry potential. Biomass Convers Biorefin 15(4): 5043-5064. (NAAS Rating 10.05)
    3. Dip G, Aggarwal P, Kaur S and Grover S (2025) Extraction and characterization of phytochemicals from Bauhinia variegata flowers using ultrasound and microwave techniques. Biomass Bioenerg 192: 107517. (NAAS Rating 12)
    4. Dip G, Aggarwal P & Kaur S (2025) Morphological, phytochemical, techno-functional characterization and antimicrobial potential of Bauhinia variegata L flower and bud powder for various food applications. J Food Meas Charact: 1-15. (NAAS Rating 8.9)
    5. Chhoden T, Aggarwal P, Singh A, Kaur S and Grover S (2024) Application of red carrot pomace carotenoids for the development of biofunctional edible film: A sustainable approach. Biomass Convers Biorefin: 1-18. (NAAS Rating 10.05)
Awards and Recognitions:
  • Award of Distinguish Professor (JS sidhu) in Food Science and Technology by the Indian Association of Food Scientists and Technlologists
  • Awarded Best Scientist contributor  to Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana,  in year, 2025 
  • Award of Best Professor and scientist contributor to the university in 60th Alumni Meet of College of Agriculture, 2025.
  • Awarded Agri Food Empowering India Awards, 2021, for PAU Incubators by Sh.Prahlad Singh Patel, Minister of State for Food Processing Industries of India, on 12.11.2022 supported by NIFTEM, IIMR, Central Farm Machinery and Training Institute.
  • Awarded with Professor ‘Manjeet S.Chinnan distinguished Chair Award’ Punjab agricultural University, Ludhiana, 2020.
  • Honored with the university award of Merit Certificate for the year 2013-14 for outstanding work in research, teaching and extension from PAU, Ludhiana
  • Award of Best Researcher in 57th Alumni Meet of College of Agriculture, 2020.
  • Award and citation for the development of technologies/products on Bottling of Sugarcane Juice and Blended Juices for Punjab Agro Juices Ld on 24-7-19 by the BOM.
  • Awarded Best Professor in Food Science Studies in 2019 by 27th Business Affaire & Dewang Mehta National Education Award.
  • Letter of Appreciation from board of Management for the “Presentation on “Research Achievements in Processing and Value Addition of Agriculture Produce”.
  • Letter of Appreciation from Punjab Agro Industries Corporation for the work done on the product development of Kinnow and Watermelon and Onion paste, Anthocyanin rich Black carrot juice. 
  • Award of appreciation from AFST (I), Ludhiana for successful conduct of bakery training and programme on Food Processing organized in collaboration with NMCP 
  • Three first prizes on litchi products Litchi Juice, Beverages and Nectar in a Litchi Show at KVK Pathankot, 21st june,2019. 
  • Third Best Exhibition Stall of Department in the Kisan Mela of PAU Campus, March 23-24,2018
  • Best Startup Idea Award: National award for the start up idea “Utilization of sugarcane juice in production of kheer” by C C S H A U, Hisar, on June 1 – 2, 2018. 
  • Seven best paper awards in National and International conferences.