Dr Saleha Akter
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation
Researcher biography
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.
Book Chapter
Akter, Saleha, Thi Phan, Anh Dao, Netzel, Michael and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2022). Kakadu Plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana). Handbook of Phytonutrients in Indigenous Fruits and Vegetables. (pp. 189-203) London, United Kingdom: CABI. doi: 10.1079/9781789248067.0012
Journal Articles
Mianda, Sephora Mutombo, Li, Jiaxuan, Akter, Saleha, Adiamo, Oladipupo, Sivakumar, Dharini and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2024). Impact of drying on phytonutritional compounds, in vitro antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity of Spiny saltbush (Rhagodia spinescens). Antioxidants, 13 (11) 1382, 1382. doi: 10.3390/antiox13111382
Akter, Saleha, Phan, Anh Dao Thi, Adiamo, Oladipupo Q., Bobasa, Eshetu Mulisa, Seididamyeh, Maral, Rajagopal, Gayathri, Sivakumar, Dharini and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2024). Bio‐functional properties of Jilungin (Terminalia canescens). Journal of Food Science, 89 (11), 7664-7679. doi: 10.1111/1750-3841.17457
Bobasa, Eshetu M., Phan, Anh Dao Thi, Netzel, Michael E., Akter, Saleha, Cozzolino, Daniel and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2024). Nutritional and functional properties of Terminalia ferdinandiana fruits wild harvested from Western Australia. Foods, 13 (18) 2888, 1-14. doi: 10.3390/foods13182888
Adiamo, Oladipupo Q., Bobasa, Eshetu M., Phan, Anh Dao Thi, Akter, Saleha, Seididamyeh, Maral, Dayananda, Buddhi, Gaisawat, Mohd Baasir, Kubow, Stan, Sivakumar, Dharini and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2024). In-vitro colonic fermentation of Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana) fruit powder: microbial biotransformation of phenolic compounds and cytotoxicity. Food Chemistry, 448 139057, 139057. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.139057
Zhou, Yuntao, Akter, Saleha, Phan, Anh Dao Thi, Bobasa, Eshetu Mulisa, Seididamyeh, Maral, Sivakumar, Dharini and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2024). Australian native lemongrass (Cymbopogon ambiguus A. Camus): an underestimated herbal plant. AppliedChem, 4 (2), 212-223. doi: 10.3390/appliedchem4020014
Adiamo, Oladipupo Q., Phan, Anh Dao Thi, Akter, Saleha, Sivakumar, Dharini, Seke, Faith, Cunningham, Peter and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2023). Domesticated Australian Wattle seeds (Acacia species): nutritional values, techno‐functional properties, and toxicological assessments after roasting. International Journal of Food Science and Technology, 59 (1), 573-583. doi: 10.1111/ijfs.16572
Zhou, Yuntao, Phan, Anh Dao Thi, Akter, Saleha, Bobasa, Eshetu Mulisa, Seididamyeh, Maral, Sivakumar, Dharini and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2023). Bioactive properties of Kakadu plum-blended products. Molecules, 28 (6) 2828, 1-18. doi: 10.3390/molecules28062828
Bobasa, Eshetu M., Akter, Saleha, Phan, Anh Dao Thi, Netzel, Michael E., Cozzolino, Daniel, Osborne, Simone and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2023). Impact of growing location on Kakadu plum fruit composition and in vitro bioactivity as determinants of its nutraceutical potential. Nutraceuticals, 3 (1), 13-25. doi: 10.3390/nutraceuticals3010002
Al-Asmari, Fahad, Akter, Saleha, Mereddy, Ram and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2022). Investigating the efficacy of Tasmannia lanceolata extract in inactivating fungi and prolonging the shelf life of date fruit. Foods, 11 (17) 2631, 1-13. doi: 10.3390/foods11172631
Alderees, Fahad, Akter, Saleha, Mereddy, Ram and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2022). Formulation, characterization, and stability of food grade oil‐in‐water nanoemulsions of essential oils of Tasmannia lanceolata, Backhousia citriodora and Syzygium anisatum. Journal of Food Safety, 42 (5) e13001. doi: 10.1111/jfs.13001
Akter, Saleha, Addepalli, Rama, Netzel, Michael, Tinggi, Ujang, Fletcher, Mary, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Osborne, Simone (2022). In vitro bioaccessibility and intestinal absorption of selected bioactive compounds in Terminalia ferdinandiana. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8 818195, 818195. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2021.818195
Phan, Anh Dao Thi, Damyeh, Maral Seidi, Chaliha, Mridusmita, Akter, Saleha, Fyfe, Selina, Netzel, Michael E., Cozzolino, Daniel and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2021). The effect of maturity and season on health‐related bioactive compounds in wild harvested fruit of Terminalia ferdinandiana (Exell). International Journal of Food Science and Technology, 56 (12), 6431-6442. doi: 10.1111/ijfs.15350
Zhang, Jiale, Phan, Anh Dao Thi, Srivarathan, Sukirtha, Akter, Saleha, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Cozzolino, Daniel (2021). Proximate composition, functional and antimicrobial properties of wild harvest Terminalia carpentariae fruit. Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization, 16 (1), 582-589. doi: 10.1007/s11694-021-01182-4
Alderees, Fahad, Akter, Saleha, Mereddy, Ram and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2021). Antimicrobial activity of nanoencapsulated essential oils of Tasmannia lanceolata, Backhousia citriodora and Syzygium anisatum against weak-acid resistant Zygosaccharomyces bailii in clear apple juice. Beverages, 7 (3) 67, 67. doi: 10.3390/beverages7030067
Phan, Anh Dao Thi, Adiamo, Oladipupo, Akter, Saleha, Netzel, Michael E., Cozzolino, Daniel and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2021). Effects of drying methods and maltodextrin on vitamin C and quality of Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit powder, an emerging Australian functional food ingredient. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 101 (12), 5132-5141. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.11159
Akter, Saleha, Addepalli, Rama, Netzel, Michael, Fletcher, Mary, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Osborne, Simone (2021). Impact of polyphenol-rich extracts of Terminalia ferdinandiana fruits and seeds on viability of human intestinal and liver cells in vitro. Food Chemistry: Molecular Sciences, 2 100024, 100024. doi: 10.1016/j.fochms.2021.100024
Akter, Saleha, Hong, Hung, Netzel, Michael, Tinggi, Ujang, Fletcher, Mary, Osborne, Simone and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2021). Determination of ellagic acid, punicalagin, and castalagin from Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu plum) by a validated UHPLC-PDA-MS/MS methodology. Food Analytical Methods, 14 (12), 2534-2544. doi: 10.1007/s12161-021-02063-8
Akter, Saleha, Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Cozzolino, Daniel (2021). High throughput screening to determine the antibacterial activity of Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu plum): A proof of concept. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 182 106169, 1-6. doi: 10.1016/j.mimet.2021.106169
Akter, Saleha, Netzel, Michael, Tinggi, Ujang, Fletcher, Mary, Osborne, Simone and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2020). Interactions between phytochemicals and minerals in Terminalia ferdinandiana and implications for mineral bioavailability. Frontiers in Nutrition, 7 598219, 598219. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2020.598219
Akter, Saleha, Netzel, Michael E., Tinggi, Ujang, Osborne, Simone A., Fletcher, Mary T. and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2019). Antioxidant rich extracts of Terminalia ferdinandiana inhibit the growth of foodborne bacteria. Foods, 8 (8) 281, 281. doi: 10.3390/foods8080281
Akter, Saleha, Addepalli, Rama, Netzel, Michael E., Tinggi, Ujang, Fletcher, Mary T., Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Osborne, Simone A. (2019). Antioxidant-rich extracts of Terminalia ferdinandiana interfere with estimation of cell viability. Antioxidants, 8 (6) 191, 191. doi: 10.3390/antiox8060191
Akter, Saleha, Netzel, Michael E., Fletcher, Mary T., Tinggi, Ujang and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2018). Chemical and nutritional composition of Terminalia ferdinandiana (kakadu plum) kernels: a novel nutrition source. Foods, 7 (4) 60, 60. doi: 10.3390/foods7040060
Khandaker, Mahia, Akter, Saleha and Imam, Mohammad Zafar (2018). Trichosanthes dioica Roxb.: a vegetable with diverse pharmacological properties. Food Science and Human Wellness, 7 (1), 34-48. doi: 10.1016/j.fshw.2017.12.005
Nasrin, Tania, Khandaker, Mahia, Akter, Saleha and Imam, Mohammad Zafar (2017). Antinociceptive activity of methanol extract of leaves of Solanum sisymbriifolium in heat and chemical-induced pain. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science, 7 (11), 142-146. doi: 10.7324/JAPS.2017.71121
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Conference Papers
Phan, A. D. T., Sultanbawa, Y., Akter, S., Bobasa, E. and Netzel, M. (2022). Functional ingredients from Terminalia sp. Kakadu plum as a case study. TROPAG, International Agriculture Conference, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 31 October-2 November 2022.
Phan, Anh Dao Thi, Damyeh, Maral Seidi, Akter, Saleha, Chaliha, Mridusmita, Netzel, Michael E., Cozzolino, Daniel and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2020). Effects of Fruit Maturity on Physicochemical Properties, Sugar Accumulation and Antioxidant Capacity of Wild Harvested Kakadu Plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana). 1st International Electronic Conference on Food Science and Functional Foods, Online, 10–25 November 2020. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. doi: 10.3390/foods_2020-07819
Phan, Anh D. T., Damyeh, Maral S., Chaliha, Mridusmita, Akter, Saleha, Fyfe, Selina A., Netzel, Michael E, Cozzolino, Daniel and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2020). Effects of fruit maturity on physicochemical properties, sugar accumulation and antioxidant capacity of wild harvested Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana). 1st International Electronic Conference on Food Science and Functional Foods (MDPI), Online, 10-25 November 2020. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI.
Akter, Saleha, Hong, Hung Trieu, Netzel, Michael E., Tinggi, Ujang, Osborne, Simone, Fletcher, Mary and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2019). Antimicrobial activity and ellagitannins from Terminalia ferdinandiana. TropAg2019, International Tropical Agriculture Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 11-13 November 2019. Basel, Switzerland: MDPI. doi: 10.3390/proceedings2019036081
Akter, Saleha, Addepalli, Rama, Netzel, Michael E., Tinggi, Ujang, Fletcher, Mary T., Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Osborne, Simone A. (2019). In vitro bioaccessibility and transport of ascorbic and ellagic acid in Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu plum) extracts. Active Integrated Matter (AIM) Conference 2019, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 14-16 May 2019.
Akter, Saleha, Addepalli, Rama, Netzel, Michael, Tinggi, Ujang, Fletcher, Mary, Osborne, Simone and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2018). Safety assessment of ellagic acid-rich extracts from Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu plum). QACS 2018 - Queensland Annual Chemistry Symposium, Brisbane QLD, Australia, 23 November 2018.
Akter, Saleha, Netzel, Michael, Tinggi, Ujang, Fletcher, Mary, Osborne, Simone and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2018). Kakadu plum: safety assessment. Workshop on An Interdisciplinary Dialogue on the Legal, Social and Scientific Uses of the Kakadu plum, Brisbane QLD, Australia, 1 June 2018.
Akter, Saleha, Addepalli, Rama, Netzel, Michael E., Tinggi, Ujang, Fletcher, Mary T., Osborne, Simone A. and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2018). Ellagic acid-rich extracts of Terminalia ferdinandiana fruit and seeds, improve cell viability in vitro compared to ellagic acid alone. 26th Annual RACI R & D Topics Conference 2018, Canberra, ACT, Australia, 2-5 December 2018.
Akter, Saleha, Netzel, Michael, Tinggi, Ujang, Fletcher, Mary, Williams, David and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2018). Nutritional and anti-nutritional properties of Terminalia ferdinandiana (Kakadu plum) from the Northern Territory, Australia. Active Integrated Matter (AIM) Conference 2018, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 20-22 February 2018.
Akter, S., Addepalli, R., Netzel, M.E., Tinggi, U., Fletcher, M.T., Sultanbawa, Y. and Osborne, S.A. (2018). Cytotoxicity of Terminalia ferdinandiana extracts in intestinal and hepatic cancer cell lines. 10th International Symposium of Poisonous Plants (ISOPP10), St George, Utah, United States, 16-20 September 2018.
Akter, Saleha, Addepalli, Rama, Netzel, Michael E., Tinggi, Ujang, Fletcher, Mary T., Osborne, Simone A. and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2018). A13 - Safety assessment of ellagic acid-rich extracts from Terminalia ferdinandiana. 3rd Queensland Annual Chemistry Symposium QACS 2018, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 23 November 2018.
Akter, Saleha, Addepalli, Rama, Netzel, Michael E., Tinggi, Ujang, Fletcher, Mary T., Osborne, Simone A. and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2018). Safety Assessment of Terminalia ferdinandiana Fruits using Four Different Cell Lines. 4th International Conference on Food Chemistry and Technology (FCT-2018), Berlin, Germany, 5-7 November 2018.
Akter, Saleha, Addepalli, Rama, Netzel, Michael E., Tinggi, Ujang, Fletcher, Mary T., Sultanbawa, Yasmina and Osborne, Simone A. (2018). Cytotoxicity of Terminalia ferdinandiana extracts in intestinal and hepatic cancer cell lines. 10th International Symposium on Poisonous Plants (ISOPP), St George, Utah, United States, 16-20 September 2018.
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.
Akter, Saleha, Netzel, Michael, Tinggi, Ujang, Fletcher, Mary and Sultanbawa, Yasmina (2017). Phytates and oxalates in Kakadu plum (Terminalia ferdinandiana): anti-nutritional properties. 2nd Queensland Annual Chemistry Symposium, Brisbane QLD, Australia, 27 November 2017.
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.
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.
Thesis
Akter, Saleha (2020). Assessing the safe use of Terminalia ferdinandiana for dietary purposes. PhD Thesis, Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/e17146a