The ICAR-Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (ICAR-CIPHET), based in Ludhiana, has achieved a significant milestone by licensing its cutting-edge technology for the extraction of hesperidin from immature dropped kinnows to M/s BNK Foods, Uttarakhand. The formal agreement was sealed between Dr. Nachiket Kotwaliwale, Director of ICAR-CIPHET, and Akash Joshi, Director of BNK Foods.
Dr. Kotwaliwale praised this development as a crucial advancement in integrating agricultural research with practical industrial applications. He expressed optimism that BNK Foods will leverage the technology to produce superior quality hesperidin, thereby contributing to both economic growth and public health.
The innovative technology, pioneered by a team of researchers including Dr. Manju Bala, Dr. Deepika Goswami, Dr. Mridula D., Dr. R.K. Vishwakarma, and Dr. Nachiket Kotwaliwale, introduces a more efficient approach to extracting hesperidin, a potent bioflavonoid known for its extensive health benefits, from discarded kinnows.
This process not only enhances the value of kinnow waste but also offers a sustainable business opportunity for companies in the nutraceutical and food sectors.