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ICAR-CMFRI develops nutraceutical to boost immunity related to post-COVID complications

ICAR-CMFRI develops nutraceutical to boost immunity related to post-COVID complications

Kochi: In continuation of its major research works on developing natural remedies from marine organisms against various lifestyle diseases, the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has come up with a nutraceutical product from select seaweeds to boost the innate immunity related to post-COVID complications. Named as CadalminTM Immunalgin extract (CadalminTM IMe), the product also has antiviral properties against the delta variant of SARS CoV-2 virus.“The product is a synergistic combination of seaweed-based nutraceutical product, which is a 100% natural blend of highly nutritious bioactive ingredients extracted with eco-friendly ‘green’ technology”, said Dr Kajal Chakraborty, Head of the Marine Biotechnology, Fish Nutrition and Health Division of the CMFRI who led the research works to develop the product.This marks the 10th product in a series of nutraceuticals developed by the CMFRI deriving from marine organisms. The institute, in the past, has successfully brought out nutraceuticals targeting a range of lifestyle diseases, such as type-2 diabetes, arthritis, cholesterol, hypertension, hypothyroidism, osteoporosis and fatty liver.Bioactive pharmacophore leads from seaweeds were used to develop the nutraceutical product. A promising reduction of viral infection rate was observed by administering CadalminTM IMe on SARS CoV-2 (delta variant) induced cells. CadalminTM IMe elevates innate immune responses by the regulation of the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines.The CadalminTM IMe interacts with membrane-associated pattern recognition receptors to prevent the virus entry through cellular signaling pathways and also stimulate inflammatory cytokine production. Hence, it will act as a good naturally derived alternative source for health benefits against inflammation and autoimmune disorders, he said.The nutraceutical does not have any side effects as established by detailed preclinical trials. It does not have toxicity concerning clinical and behavioural symptoms. The active ingredients in the product would be packed in plant-based capsules. Large-scale extraction of the active principles from the raw material was optimized in a factory unit, which demonstrated the commercial feasibility of the nutraceutical product. The process for commercialisation of the product is in progress.

Sea ranching of the green tiger shrimp Penaeus semisulcatus under the Central Sector Scheme component of 'Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana'

Sea ranching of the green tiger shrimp Penaeus semisulcatus under the Central Sector Scheme component of

'Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana' (PMMSY)

A total of 6.8 million green tiger shrimp seeds (PL 35) were sea ranched at Mandapam, Koyilvadi (Palk Bay) on 7th September, 2023 under the Project entitled "Sea ranching of Green tiger shrimp (Penaeus semisulcatus) Post Larvae (PL) in Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu" funded by the Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Govt. of India under the Central Sector Scheme component of the PMMSY. The shrimp seeds were released by Shri. M. Sivakumar, Assistant Director of Fisheries and Fisherman Welfare, Mandapam, Fishermen Association Leaders in the presence of Dr. K. Vinod, Head, Dr. G. Tamilmani, Principal Investigator of the project, Scientists and staff of Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI. The fishermen thanked the Government of India and ICAR-CMFRI for such an initiative and expressed that this activity will be helpful in replenishing and enhancing the green tiger shrimp stock in the wild. A total of 75.34 million green tiger shrimp seeds were sea ranched in Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar since the inception of the Project (February, 2022). The sea ranching programme was coordinated by Dr. B. Johnson, Senior Scientist of the Centre.

Sea ranching of the green tiger shrimp Penaeus semisulcatus under the Central Sector Scheme component of (PMMSY) Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana

Sea ranching of the green tiger shrimp Penaeus semisulcatus under the Central Sector Scheme component of

'Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana' (PMMSY)

A total of 1.6 million green tiger shrimp seeds (PL 20) were sea ranched at Maraikayarpattianam (Gulf of Mannar) on 23rd June, 2023 under the Project entitled "Sea ranching of Green tiger shrimp (Penaeus semisulcatus) Post Larvae (PL) in Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu" funded by Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Govt. of India under the Central Sector Scheme component of the PMMSY. The shrimp seeds were released by the staff of Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI in the presence of Dr. G. Tamilmani, Head-in-Charge & Principal Investigator of the project. A total of 58.24 million green tiger shrimp seeds were sea ranched in Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar since the initiation of the Project (February, 2022). The sea ranching programme was coordinated by Dr. B. Johnson, Senior Scientist of the Centre.

Hindi Workshop organised at Karwar Regional Station of ICAR-CMFRI

Hindi Workshop organised at Karwar Regional Station of ICAR-CMFRI

As a part of the Official Language Implementation, a workshop was organized by Karwar Regional Station of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) on 03.07.2023 on the topic "Common Hindi words used in office premises”. Shri Santhosh Seti, Hindi Teacher, Hindu School, Karwar delivered the lecture. Six Scientists and 14 employees of the station actively participated in the workshop. The programme was chaired by Dr. Prathibha Rohit, Head-in-Charge and Chairman, OLIC of Karwar Regional Station

Report on the Celebration of World Environment Day 2023

Report on the Celebration of World Environment Day-2023

Visakhapatnam Regional Centre of CMFRI celebrated World Environment Day-2023 on 5th June 2023 in the Quarters and office complex of VRC of CMFRI and Peda Jalaripeta fishing village, Visakhapatnam.In the morning hours, a tree plantation drive with staff members and their families in the quarters and office complex of VRC of CMFRI was initiated by Dr S. S. Raju, Principal Scientist and Head (i/c), VRC of CMFRI. Children and staff members actively participated and planted several saplings in the premises.In association with DHAN foundation, an Awareness Workshop cum Plantation drive along with the fisher folk of Peda Jalaripeta fishing village was also conducted between 2.30 to 5.00 pm.

Dr. Loveson Edward L, Senior Scientist, sensitized the fishermen regarding the marine environment and climate change and how to harness the beneficial effects of climate change. Dr. Pralaya Ranjan Behera, Senior Scientist explained about the climate-smart approach needed to conserve the coastal biodiversity and to cope-up the ever-changing environmental conditions. An interactive discussion followed with fisher folks regarding their perception on climate change and the measures taken by them to overcome the hurdles they are facing due to it. The meeting ended with a few suggestions from fisher folks and ICAR-CMFRI initiatives towards environment-friendly mariculture activities to double the fisher’s income. Tree saplings were distributed to the fisher folks and a few saplings were planted along the fishing villages with the participation of fisher folks. Dr Pralaya and Dr. Leveson co-ordinated the events.