Dr. Surendranath Suman is the Professor of Meat Science and University Research Professor at the Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky. He also serves as the Assistant Dean for Research at the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment of the University of Kentucky. His research program focuses on the fundamental and applied aspects of meat color and is continuously supported by USDA NIFA AFRI competitive grants program. He has authored more than 290 scientific publications (including 120 peer-reviewed journal articles and 15 book chapters) and has been listed among the top 2% of world’s most-cited scientists.
For his outstanding research accomplishments, Dr. Suman has received numerous professional awards, including the American Meat Science Association Signal Service Fellow Award (2024), American Meat Science Association Distinguished Research Award (2022), American Meat Science Association International Lectureship Award (2019), American Society of Animal Science Meats Research Award (2018), Thomas Poe Cooper Research Award of the University of Kentucky (2017), Bobby Pass Excellence in Grantsmanship Award of the University of Kentucky (2016), American Society of Animal Science Early Career Achievement Award (2013), American Meat Science Association Achievement Award (2012), American Society of Animal Science Southern Section Outstanding Young Animal Scientist Award for Research (2012), and International Meat Secretariat Prize (2009).
Dr. Suman is the Associate Editor (2016–present) for Meat and Muscle Biology, the official journal of the American Meat Science Association. He also served as Associate Editor for Journal of Animal Science (2013–2016) and as Guest Editor for Animal Frontiers (2014 October). He served/continues to serve as a member of the editorial boards of Meat Science (2010–2016), International Journal of Food Science and Technology (2013–present), and Fleischwirtschaft International (2011–present). As a globally recognized expert in meat quality, Dr. Suman has been an invited speaker at 65-plus scientific conferences and research institutions in the US, Canada, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, China, India, Belgium, Germany, and Norway.
Scholars@UK
Protein Structure Influences Redox Stability, Oxygen Affinity, and Heat-Induced Denaturation Properties of Bovine Myoglobin, Hemoglobin, and Cytochrome c
Sharma, A., Li, R., Bhandari, S., Suman, S. P., Krishnan, S., Pfeiffer, M., Mafi, G. & Ramanathan, R., Jul 18 2025, In: ACS Food Science and Technology. 5, 7, p. 2833-2842 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Determining the Effects of Light, Oxygen Diffusion, and 4-Hydroxy-2-Nonenal on Redox Stability of Beef and Pork Oxymyoglobins
Kumar, R., Suman, S. P., Li, R., Pfeiffer, M. M., Mafi, G. G. & Ramanathan, R., 2025, In: Meat and Muscle Biology. 9, 1, 18544.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Male Layer-Type Birds (Lohmann Brown Classic Hybrid) as a Meat Source for Chicken Pâtés
Kolev, N., Balev, D., Dragoev, S., Popova, T., Petkov, E., Dimov, K., Suman, S., Salim, A. P. & Vlahova-Vangelova, D., Jun 2025, In: Applied Sciences (Switzerland). 15, 12, 6702.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Impact of Feeding Different Fat Sources and Levels of Vitamin E Isoforms to Heavy Slaughter Weight (150 kg) Pigs: I. Carcass Characteristics and Fresh Pork Quality
Kelley, M., Wang, D., Rentfrow, G., Lindemann, M. D., Salim, A. P. A. A. & Suman, S. P., 2025, In: Meat and Muscle Biology. 9, 1, 19043.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Wet Aging for 21 Days Improves Tenderness of Beef Biceps Femoris Muscle Without Affecting Color Stability
Salim, A. P. A. A., Nair, M. N., Wang, Y., Canto, A. C. V. C. S., Rentfrow, G. & Suman, S. P., 2025, In: Meat and Muscle Biology. 9, 1, p. 1-12 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Impact of Feeding Different Fat Sources and Levels of Vitamin E Isoforms to Heavy Slaughter Weight (150 kg) Pigs: II. Belly and Bacon Quality
Kelley, M., Wang, D., Salim, A. P. A. A., Lindemann, M. D., Rentfrow, G. & Suman, S. P., 2025, In: Meat and Muscle Biology. 9, 1, 19044.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Effects of lactate and modified atmospheric packaging on premature browning in cooked ground beef patties
Mancini, R. A., Ramanathan, R., Suman, S. P., Konda, M. K. R., Joseph, P., Dady, G. A., Naveena, B. M. & López-López, I., Jun 2010, In: Meat Science. 85, 2, p. 339-346 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Artificial Raising on Milk Replacer and Finishing Diet Did Not Affect Color and Oxidative Stability of Longissimus Lumborum Muscles From Polypay Ram Lambs
Mondal, K., Suman, S. P., Purvis, K. G., Rentfrow, G., Ely, D. G., Davis, B. E., Weinert-Nelson, J., Wang, Y. & Salim, A. P. A. A., 2025, In: Meat and Muscle Biology. 9, 1, 18343.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Structural Equation Modeling for Interpreting the Influence of Diet on Muscle-Specific Color and Oxidative Stabilities in Extended-Aged Beef from Nellore Bulls
Salim, A. P. A. A., Lima, L. C. S., Ferreira, M. S., Vasconcellos, F. J. G., Conte-Junior, C. A., Saldanha, T., Ramanathan, R., Suman, S. P., Rentfrow, G. & Mano, S. B., Jan 17 2025, In: ACS Food Science and Technology. 5, 1, p. 118-126 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Bioactive Compounds in Meat: Their Roles in Modulating Palatability and Nutritional Value
Jairath, G., Biswas, A. K., Mal, G. & Suman, S. P., 2024, In: Meat and Muscle Biology. 8, 1, 16992.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Unlocking the gelling potential of oat protein: Synergistic effects of sonication and disulfide cleavage
Li, R., Xiong, Y. L., Subramanian, V., Suman, S. P. & True, A. D., Oct 2024, In: Food Hydrocolloids. 155, 110241.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Use of plasma induced modification of biomolecules (PLIMB) to evaluate hemin dissociation from fish and bovine methemoglobins
Whalin, J., Wu, Y., Wang, Y., Suman, S. P., Shohet, J. L. & Richards, M. P., Sep 15 2024, In: Food Chemistry. 452, 139576.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Characterization of Pork Loin Chop Color Stability Using Loin Quality Traits and Instrumental Discoloration Measures
Barkley, K. E., Boler, D. D., Suman, S. P., Dilger, A. C. & Harsh, B. N., 2022, In: Meat and Muscle Biology. 6, 1, 14459.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Harvest Method Influences Color Stability of Longissimus Lumborum Steaks from Bos indicus Cattle
Salim, A. P. A. A., Suman, S. P., Viana, F. M., Monteiro, M. L. G., Panzenhagen, P. H. N., Canto, A. C. V. C. S. & Conte-Junior, C. A., 2019, In: Meat and Muscle Biology. 3, 1, p. 33-41 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
The color of fresh pork: Consumers expectations, underlying farm-to-fork factors, myoglobin chemistry and contribution of proteomics to decipher the biochemical mechanisms
Gagaoua, M., Suman, S. P., Purslow, P. P. & Lebret, B., Dec 2023, In: Meat Science. 206, 109340.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Variations in Intramuscular Fat Content and Profile in Angus × Nellore Steers Under Different Feeding Strategies Contribute to Color and Tenderness Development in Longissimus thoracis
Antonelo, D. S., Beline, M., Silva, S. L., Gómez, J. F. M., Ferreira, C. R., Zhang, X., Pavan, B., Koulicoff, L. A., Rosa, A. F., Goulart, R. S., Gerrard, D. E., Suman, S. P., Schilling, M. W. & Balieiro, J. C. C., 2022, In: Meat and Muscle Biology. 6, 1, 13043.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Role of postmortem bioenergetics in beef colour chemistry
Ramanathan, R., Denzer, M., Kiyimba, F., Harr, K., Suman, S. P., Hunt, M., Pfeiffer, M., Mafi, G. G. & Kim, Y. H. B., 2023, In: Italian Journal of Animal Science. 22, 1, p. 711-727 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Myoglobin and Hemoglobin: Discoloration, Lipid Oxidation, and Solvent Access to the Heme Pocket
Richards, M. P., Whalin, J. G., Wu, Y., Suman, S. P., Wang, Y. & Shohet, J. L., 2022, In: Meat and Muscle Biology. 6, 3, 14400.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Recent Updates in Meat Color Research: Integrating Traditional and High-Throughput Approaches
Ramanathan, R., Hunt, M. C., Mancini, R. A., Nair, M. N., Denzer, M. L., Suman, S. P. & Mafi, G. G., 2020, In: Meat and Muscle Biology. 4, 2, 7.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Differential Abundance of Mitochondrial Proteome Influences the Color Stability of Beef Longissimus Lumborum and Psoas Major Muscles
Ramanathan, R., Nair, M. N., Wang, Y., Li, S., Beach, C. M., Mancini, R. A., Belskie, K. & Suman, S. P., 2021, In: Meat and Muscle Biology. 5, 1, 16.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
ARS/FAPRU: Improving Sustainability of Forage-Based Production Systems
Suman, S. (PI)
8/28/25 → 8/27/26
Project: Research project
ARS/FAPRU: Improving Sustainability of Forage-Based Production Systems
Matthews, J. (PI), Bridges, P. (CoI), Ely, D. (CoI), Haan, N. (CoI), Harmon, D. (CoI), Hunt, A. (CoI), Ji, H. (CoI), McCulley, R. (CoI), McLeod, K. (CoI), Phillips, T. (CoI), Schardl, C. (CoI), Smith, S. (CoI), Suman, S. (CoI), Teutsch, C. (CoI), Trotta, R. (CoI), VanValin, K. (CoI) & Zhu, H. (CoI)
8/28/25 → 8/27/26
Project: Research project
ARS/FAPRU: Improving Sustainability of Forage-Based Production Systems
Matthews, J. (PI), Anderson, L. (CoI), Bridges, P. (CoI), Ely, D. (CoI), Haan, N. (CoI), Harmon, D. (CoI), Hunt, A. (CoI), Ji, H. (CoI), McCulley, R. (CoI), McLeod, K. (CoI), Phillips, T. (CoI), Rentfrow, G. (CoI), Schardl, C. (CoI), Smith, S. (CoI), Suman, S. (CoI), Teutsch, C. (CoI), VanValin, K. (CoI) & Zhu, H. (CoI)
5/1/23 → 4/30/26
Project: Research project
ARS/FAPRU: Suman - Improving Sustainability of Forage-Based Production Systems
Suman, S. (PI) & Rentfrow, G. (CoI)
5/1/23 → 4/30/26
Project: Research project
Improving pork meat color with total mineral replacement technology
Lindemann, M. (PI), Suman, S. (CoI) & Xiong, Y. (CoI)
9/17/15 → 10/30/16
Project: Research project
Investigating the Use of Ginger Extract to Improve Tenderness of Beef Biceps Femoris
Suman, S. (PI), Rentfrow, G. (CoI) & Xiong, Y. (CoI)
5/1/08 → 12/31/09
Project: Research project
Novel Non-Contact Spectroscopy to Ensure Freshness in the Beef Supply Chain
Suman, S. (PI)
2/1/22 → 12/30/25
Project: Research project
Center for Agricultural and Life Science Metabolomics (CALM)
Kachroo, P. (PI), Hildebrand, D. (CoI), Kachroo, A. (CoI), Schardl, C. (CoI) & Suman, S. (CoI)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
7/1/21 → 6/30/24
Project: Research project
Differentiating Sarcoplasmic Proteomes of Color-Stable and Color-Labile Beef Muscles
Suman, S. (PI)
Cooperative State Research Education and Extension
12/15/08 → 12/14/11
Project: Research project
Characterizing myoglobin phosphorylation and its relationship with beef color stability
Suman, S. (PI) & Rentfrow, G. (CoI)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
8/1/16 → 7/31/19
Project: Research project
Proteome basis of pale, soft, and exudative condition in broiler meat
Suman, S. (PI)
1/1/14 → 11/30/15
Project: Research project
Characterization of Protein Expression in Catfish Fillets with Red Pigmentation
Suman, S. (PI)
9/1/11 → 6/30/12
Project: Research project
Proteome profile of economically important muscles in beef hindquarters
Suman, S. (PI) & Rentfrow, G. (CoI)
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
1/15/12 → 1/14/17
Project: Research project
Assessing the Role of Mitochondiral Proteome in Beef Color Stability
Suman, S. (PI)
1/1/12 → 12/31/14
Project: Research project
Muscle Proteomic Approach to Characterize Biochemical Mechanisms Responsible for Woody Breast and Pale, Soft, and Exudative Conditions in Broilers
Suman, S. (PI)
6/30/17 → 4/30/22
Project: Research project
Education
- University of Connecticut, PhD, 2006
- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, MVSc, 2001
- Kerala Agricultural University, BVSc, 1999
Associated Departments