CSIR Mission Project on Nutraceuticals and Nutritionals
Developing nutraceuticals from indigenous sources
Participating CSIR Institutes in the Mission: CSIR-IHBT, CSIR-CIMAP, CSIR-CFTRI, CSIR-CDRI, CSIR-NEIST, CSIRNIIST, CSIR-IITR, CSIR-IGIB, CSIR-IIIM and CSIR-CSMCRI.
Objectives
- Development of region specific and pan Indian nutritious first meal of the day for children that meets the RDA requirement of nutrients
- Development of nutraceutical formulations/products for bone health, cognition, immunity and sleep disorders
- Establishing proof of studies for developing nutraceuticals for NCDs and CNS indications.
CSIR-Phytopharmaceutical Mission
Captive cultivation of selected medicinal plants.
Deliverables
- To produce quality botanical raw drugs to cater demands of domestic and global pharma manufacturing industries.
- To uplift societal status of the farmers and local grower with balanced economic growth.
Captive cultivation of selected high value rare,engendered and threatened (RET) medicinal plant species
- Increase in population status of RET medicinal plant species.
- Identification of potential genotypes/ elite chemotypes of RET medicinal plant speciesand their conservation in targeted Macro and micropropagation protocols for each targeted RET medicinal plant species as an approach for mass multiplication.
- Detailed chemistry of new targeted plant species for identification of bioactive molecules/ compounds.
- Establishment of species wise gene banks
Technology Packages for production of GMP grade medicinal plant extracts
- Development of improved process for Standardized Extract with defined CMC (chemistry, manufacturing and controls)
- Production of standardized GMP extracts for global markets as per USP standards.
Catalyzing Rural Empowerment through Cultivation, Processing, Value Addition and Marketing of Aromatic Plants
Under CSIR Aroma Mission aims to achieve following outcomes:
- Bring about 5500 ha of additional area under captive cultivation aromatic cash crops particularly targeting rain-fed /degraded land across the country.
- Provide technical and infrastructural support for distillation and values-addition to farmers/growers all over the country.
- Enabling effective buy-back mechanisms to assure remunerative prices to the farmers/growers.
- Value-addition to essential oils and aroma ingredients for their integration in global trade and economy.
Developing L-Asparaginase with Low Glutaminase Activity for Therapeutic Applications (Fast Track Translational Project supported by CSIR)
Project Investigator: - Dr. Dharam Singh
L-Asparaginase is well known for its chemotherapeutic properties. It catalyzes the hydrolysis of amino acid asparagine into aspartate and ammonia, essentially required for the growth of the tumour cells. It has been effectively used in treatment of different types of cancers. At present, only 3 main preparations of asparaginase are used in treatment protocols (E. coli asparaginase, its PEGylated form and Erwinia asparaginase) but still issues concerning immunogenic and several associated side effects remains.
CSIR-IHBT has identified a novel and an efficient Asparaginase enzyme from Himalayan microbial source which has wide temperature functionality, stability, high specificity, and no glutaminase activity. This enzyme is highly cytotoxic towards variouspancreatic and blood cancer cell lines. Preclinical testing is underway for therapeutic applications. The enzyme has huge applications in health care sector and food processing industries.
Process for substituted cyclohexane-1-3-diones synthesis ((Fast Track Translational Project supported by CSIR)
Project Investigator- Dr. Pralay Das
The cyclohexane-1,3-dione derivatives are important intermediates for several bioactive molecules synthesis. The cyclohexane-1,3-dione is a basic unit present in triketones such as mesotrione having herbicidal activity. Due to high cost of cyclohexane-1,3-dions as a base material, the cost of final products of herbicides are very high and difficult for farmers to afford.
Through process innovation, CSIR-IHBT has developed a simple cost effective method for preparation of substituted cyclohexane-1-3-diones. Efforts are underway for its upscaled production. Apart from herbicides, this molecule has application as a potent drug against Tyrosinemia type-I metabolic disorder disease. Looking into the commercial implications a Patent has been filed for the invention.
