ICAR, BARC to improve application of cotton seed protein in food industry

For quality improvement of cotton cellulosic biopolymer by gamma irradiation for their use in medical and food industries.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute for Research on Cotton Technology (ICAR-CIRCOT), Mumbai, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai.

The MoU is aimed at boosting the collaborative research in quality improvement of cotton cellulosic biopolymer by gamma irradiation for their use in medical and food industries.

Dr. P.G. Patil, Director, ICAR-CIRCOT & Chairman, Coordination / Progress Review Committee stressed that the MoU would be focused on the application of Gamma radiation for improving the quality of cellulose and cotton seed protein for diversified applications, development of biodegradable packaging and functional food products from Gamma irradiated biopolymer or its nanocellulosic form.

While cellulosic biopolymer from agro-biomass has wide applications in textile, medical and food industries, the Gamma irradiation is known to improve the functionality of different polymers including cellulose and its derivatives.

The collaboration aims at exchanging the expertise and facilities available from both the organizations for the ultimate benefits of cotton farmers, food processing and packaging and pharmaceutical industries.