Academic record & distinction

Ph.D, Kumaun University
Thesis title: Microbiology of traditional meat products of Sikkim and Kumaun Himalaya.
M. Sc. Distinction: Darjeeling Government College , University of North Bengal.
B.Sc. (Botany Honours): Sikkim Government College, Tadong, University of North Bengal.

Areas of Specialization

Microbiology: Agriculturally Important Microorganisms (AIM), Endophytes, PGPR, PGPF,BCA, Food Microbiology

Latest Publications

1. Hemant Sharma, Arun Chettri and Arun Kumar Rai (2024). Antifungal potential of Volatile organic compounds of endophyte Penicillium citrinum associated with Swertia chirayita. J. Mycopathol. Res. 62(3) : 607-613. ISSN : 0971-3719 (Print), 2583-6315 (Online).
2. Arun Kumar Rai (2024).  Tiny Giants Endophytes in Sustainable Agriculture: Trends and Prospects. IJFMR. Volume 6, Issue 2, March-April 2024. https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2024.v06i02.17686. E-ISSN: 2582-2160 
3. Shri Ram, Hemant Sharma and Arun Kumar Rai (2023). Mucormycosis Research: A global outlook through bibliometric approaches. IJSMC Vol. 3, No. 1. https://doi.org/10.47909/ijsmc.38
4. Divakar Dahiya, Hemant Sharma, Arun Kumar Rai and Poonam Singh Nigam (2022). Application of biological systems and processes employing microbes and algae to Reduce, Recycle, Reuse (3Rs) for the sustainability of circular bioeconomy. AIMS Microbiology 8 (1): 83–102 .
5. Sharma, H, Rai, A.K., Dahiya, D, Chettri, R. and Nigam, P.S. (2021). Exploring endophytes for in vitro synthesis of bioactive compound similar to metabolites produced in vivo by host plants. AIMS Microbiology 7(2): 175–199.  DOI: 10.3934/microbiol.2021012
6. Sharma, H, Rai, A.K., Chettri, R. and Nigam, P.S. (2021). Bioactivities of Penicillium citrinum isolated from a medicinal plant Swertia chirayita. Archives of Microbiology https://doi.org/10.1007/s00203-021-02498-x
7. Rai, A.K. and Tamang, J.P. (2017). Prevalence of Staphylococcus spp. and Micrococcus spp. in traditionally prepared meat products of Sikkim and Uttarakhand.Journal of Scientific & Industrial Research 76: 351-354.

Book Chapter:

1. Arun Kumar Rai (2023) Bioactive Potential of Actinomycetes in Agriculture Sector. In Microbial Bioactive Compounds: Industrial and Agricultural Applications. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd: Singapore. ISBN 978-3-031-40081-0 ISBN 978-3-031-40082-7 (eBook). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-40082-7 
2. Arun Kumar Rai, Binu Gogoi, and Rabina Gurung (2023). Freshwater Blue–Green Algae: A Potential Candidate for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment for the Welfare of Future Planet Earth. Pp. 409. In Current Status of Fresh Water Microbiology. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd: Singapore. ISBN 978-981-99-5017-1 ISBN 978-981-99-5018-8 (eBook). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-5018-8
3. Arun Kumar Rai (2023). Bioactive Potential of Actinomycetes in Agriculture Sector. In Microbial Bioactive Compound; Industrial and Agricultural Application. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd: Singapore. ISBN 978-3-031-40081-0 ISBN 978-3-031-40082-7 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-40082-7.
4. Gurung, S., Rai, A.K., Sunar, K  & Das, K. (2023) Plant–Endophyte Interactions: A Driving Phenomenon for Boosting Plant Health under Climate Change Conditions. In Mathur, P, Kapoor, R & Roy, S., (Eds.). In Mathur, P, Kapoor, R & Roy, S., (Eds.), Microbial Symbionts and plant health: Trends and application for changing climate (pp. 233).  ISBN: 978-981-99-0030-5 (eBook). Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd: Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-0030-5_10
5. Hemant Sharma, Saurav Anand Gurung, Binu Gogoi, Rabina Gurung, Yadika Subba. and Arun Kumar Rai (2024). Microbial Biological Degradation of Polymers: Recent Trends. In book: Advanced Strategies for Biodegradation of Plastic Polymers. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd: Singapore. ISBN. 978-3-031-55660-9. 10.1007/978-3-031-55661-6_13.
6. Rohit Dutta, Poonam Chettri, Taslima Narsin Bora, Mon Kumar Tamang, Arun Kumar Rai and Arun Chettri (2025). Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) from plant Extracts and its common applications-a review. Emerging Paradigms in Biological Sciences. Published by National Press Association, New Delhi. ISDN: 078-93-48843-76-0. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/388315590.
7. Arun Kumar Rai, Kiran Sunar, and Hemant Sharma (2021). Chapter 2. Agriculturally Important Microorganism: Understanding the Functionality and Mechanisms for Sustainable Farming. In: Microbiological Activity for Soil and Plant Health Management. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. ISBN 978-981-16-2922-8 (eBook).
8. Arun Kumar Rai and Hemant Sharma (2022). Chapter 14. Cold-Adapted Microorganisms and their Potential Role in Plant Growth. In: Survival Strategies in Cold- adapted Microorganisms. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. ISBN 978-981-16-2625-8 (eBook). 
9. Arun Kumar Rai and Saurav Anand Gurung (2022). Chapter 3. Microalgal Promise to the Next Generation: A Dual Potential Perspectiveas Cosmeceuticals and Biofuels. In: Micro-algae: Next-generation Feedstock for Biorefineries. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. ISBN 978-981-19-0793-7 (eBook) .
10. Arun Kumar Rai and Saurav Anand Gurung (2022). Third-Generation Biofuels from Microalgal Bioresource: Potential Strategy and Current Trends. In: Micro-algae: Next-generation Feedstock for Biorefineries. Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. ISBN 978-981-19-0680-0 (eBook). 
11. Arun Kumar Rai, Binu Gogoi and Hemant Sharma (2022). Chapter 8. Microbial bioproducts for plant growth and protection: trends and prospective. In: Plant Protection From Chemicals to Biologicals. Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Genthiner Straße 13, 10785 Berlin, Germany. ISBN 978-311-077-1558. Doi 10.1515/9783110771558-008.
12. Hemant Sharma, Arun Kumar Rai (2023). Chapter 5. Bioremediation Strategies for Sustainable E-waste Management. In: Bioremediation Strategies for Sustainable E-waste Management. Springer Nature Switzerland AG Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland. ISBN 978-3-031-25677-6 ISBN 978-3-031-25678-3 (eBook). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-25678-3.
13. Sunar, K., Das, K, Rai, A.K. & Gurung, S. (2022). Beneficial Microbial Consortia and Their Role in Sustainable Agriculture Under Climate Change Conditions. In Mathur, P, Kapoor, R & Roy, S., (Eds.), Microbial Symbionts and plant health: Trends and application for changing climate (pp. 41).  Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd: Singapore.ISBN: 978-981-99-0030-5 (eBook). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-0030-5
14. Tamang, J.P., Thapa, N., Tamang, B., Rai, A. and Chettri, R. (2015). Chapter 1. Microorganisms in fermented foods and beverages. In: Health Benefits of Fermented Foods (Ed: Tamang, J.P.). CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, New York, pp. 1-110. ISBN: 978-1-4665-88097.