Page 177 - CW E-Magazine (20-8-2024)

Special Report Special Report

separation of large molecules, espe- developed from alginophytes, and Dr. Rode advocated a shell-based
cially DNA, by electrophoresis. Slabs transferred to an industry. biorefi nery transforming marine waste
of agarose gels (usually 0.7-2%) for to chemicals, fuels and functional
electrophoresis are readily prepared Chitin as raw material materials.
by pouring the warm, liquid solution Dr. C.V. Rode, Emeritus Scien-
into a mould. A wide range of different tist, CSIR-NCL, Pune, highlighted Total synthesis strategies
agaroses of varying molecular weights his group’s work on catalytic down- Prof. Rodney A. Fernandes, Pro-
and properties are commercially stream processing of marine and agro fessor, IIT Bombay, presented viable
available for this purpose. Agarose wastes to produce heterocyclic com- synthesis strategies with better overall
may also be formed into beads and pounds. yields for several marine chemicals
used in a number of chromatographic with varying applications. These in-
methods for protein purifi cation. In particular, he highlighted the cluded mycalol, trans- and cis-xylipids,
possibilities of value addition to the (+)-petromyroxol, etc.
India mostly depends on imported bio-polymer, chitin, which is obtained
and expensive agarose, demand for as a waste from the seafood industry.
which is expected to see rapid growth “About six to eight million tonnes of
concomitant to the rise of the biotech seashells are disposed each year, con-
sector. CSIR-CSMCRI has identifi ed taining chitin (15-40%) (a biopolymer),
Gracilaria dura, a marine red alga, proteins (15-40%) and calcium carbo- areas where India is competitive, and their active fractions and synergetic
which is sparsely occurring in India nate (20-50%). The global market for exploit abundance of biomass for pro- molecular compositions.
waters but can be cultivated in the chitin, estimated at $1.064-bn in 2023, ducing speciality chemicals. New found Panel discussion
Southeast and West coasts of India, as is expected to reach $5.082-bn by opportunities as the industry integrates At the conclusion of the event a
a resource. A cost-effective process has 2032,” he noted. into global supply chains, and emerges panel discussion was conducted on
been developed to obtain high quality as an alternate to China, he added, ‘Marine Chemicals and Way forward’,
agarose from this seaweed without N-containing carbon compounds, will give a further impetus to moderated by Mr. Raghavan. Partici-
energy-intensive freeze-thawing done such as chitin, he added, CAN SERVE growth. pants included Mr. Rao, Dr. Srinivasan,
conventionally to purify agar. AS good supports for catalysts. “The Dr. B. Gopalan, Advisor, CSIR-IICT
electronegativity of N induces positive Bio-active secondary metabolites and Dr. Ram Vishwakarma, Member
The production cost with the new charge on C, which is benefi cial,” from marine sources. of Governing body of CSIR.
process is low – about Rs. 5,000-7,000 Dr. Rode mentioned. In addition, humins Dr. Rodney Fernandes Dr. Suresh Babu, Senior Principal
per kg – compared to the price of im- mixed with chitin give good quality Scientist, CSIR-Indian Institute of Panelists agreed that the marine
ported products, which can range from mulch fi lms, and chitosan can be con- He also touched upon the use of hy- Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), chemicals sector offered several oppor-
Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 300,000 per kg, and verted to 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5- pervalent iodine as a terminal oxidant Hyderabad, presented his work on ma- tunities, but research needs to be
the technology has been transferred to HMF), a platform chemical. in Wacker-type oxidation of terminal Mr. Ravi Raghavan rine organism/seaweeds that have led to focused on areas where it can have
industry. olefi ns to methyl ketones, wherein Mr. Raghavan also highlighted the identifi cation of several potent multiple maximum impact, keeping in mind the
traditional copper-catalysts generate a need for building self-suffi ciency in active medicinal plant/marine sponges, competencies available.
A Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) lot of waste, as well as protective group
process for the extraction of food free synthesis.
and bacteriological grade agars from
Indian agarophytes such as Gracilaria Opportunities and challenges for
edulis, Gracilaria dura and Gelidiella India’s chemical industries. Missed a copy !!!
acerosa, abundant naturally in the West Mr. Ravi Raghavan, Editor, Chemi- For Digital Edition of this month’s issue & all other past issues
and Southeast coasts of India, and cal Weekly, highlighted the importance
also being cultivated in the Southeast of chemical industry to the Indian
coast of India, has been developed and economy, especially as a key enabler of Visit www.hpicindia.com
validated at pilot scale. industrial activity and modern living. PDF copies available for download
While the Indian chemical industry is
Similarly, a zero-waste scalable a net importer, there are segments – Register Now
alginate (sodium, potassium and ammo- mainly fi ne and speciality chemicals – Contact: For Subscription : Mrs. Usha S. - usha@hpicindia.com
nium) extraction process meeting food wherein the industry has a net trade For Advertising : Mr. Vijay Raghavan - vijay@hpicindia.com
grade specifi cations has also been Dr. C.V. Rode surplus.

176 Chemical Weekly August 20, 2024 Chemical Weekly August 20, 2024 177

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