City-based ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute (CCRI) has been awarded its first patent for its invention in developing a process for a product ‘Sparkling clear Ready-to-serve beverage from citrus fruits’. A team of researchers consisting of Dr M S Ladaniya, Dr Dinesh Kumar and Dr Sunil Kumar U T contributed for developing the process for this product with high-end value, which is nutritionally composite. While talking to ‘The Hitavada’, Director of the Institute Dr Dilip Ghosh said, “The institute has contributed significantly in different areas of citriculture for the betterment of citrus farmers.

 

Under post-harvest technology, protocols of mechanised packing have been developed that enhance the shelf life of citrus fruits, which has been widely accepted by citrus growers of the country. Additionally, several technologies of value-added products, namely Ready to Serve (RTS) beverage from acid lime fruits and carbonated drinks from Nagpur mandarin and acid lime fruits have been developed, commercialised and given to the industry for developing the products.” Similar technologies were also developed for Assam lemon, Kachai lemon and Khasi mandarin, three important citrus fruits grown in the North Eastern Hill (NEH) region.

 

Patent application was filed by ICAR-CCRI during November, 2016 and official patent grant from the Patent office of Government of India was received recently, informed Dr Dilip Ghosh. “It is really a great news for all of us as ICAR-CCRI got this first patent. It is certainly a proud moment for the institute and it will surely encourage other scientists to do similar good research and technology development in other areas of citriculture. This will not only raise the name of the scientists, but institute and the country too would get laurels. I think more and more research should be encouraged,” commented Dr Dilip Ghosh.