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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.

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying unveils ICAR CMFRIs study on Marine Fish Stock Status of India 2022

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying unveils ICAR CMFRIs study on Marine Fish Stock Status of India 2022

Shri Parshottam Rupala, Hon’ble Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has unveiled a remarkable study report by the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) on 31st August 2023 during the ‘Sagar Parikrama phase VIII at Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu.The report titled ‘Marine Fish Stock Status of India 2022’ reveals that India’s marine fish stock is healthy and sustainable. According to the study, a resounding 91.1% of the 135 fish stocks assessed in 2022 were deemed healthy, marking a significant milestone in India's efforts to maintain the sustainability of its marine fisheries. The report also highlighted the substantial reduction in unsustainable practices, with just 4.4% of the stocks facing overfishing.These findings are poised to substantiate India's position at the World Trade Organization (WTO) and are anticipated to have a favourable impact on the country's stance in international trade negotiations. This report is also expected to be a game-changer in India’s seafood exports as sustainability has emerged as a key criterion in the global seafood trade. Minister Shri. Rupala also released ICAR-CMFRI’s special publication titled ‘Good Management Practices in Seaweed Farming’ on the occasion. ICAR-CMFRI has identified 333 prospective seaweed farming sites covering 23,950 hectares, aimed at horizontal expansion of seaweed cultivation. India has a seaweed production potential of 9.88 million t wet weight per year while the current production stands at merely 52,107 t wet weight per year. Seaweed farming has the potential to provide revenue up to Rs. 13.28 lakhs per hectare in a year on a dry weight basis.

On the previous day, 30th August 2023, Union Minister Shri. Prashottam Rupala visited the Vizhinjam Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI, Vizhinjam, Kerala. Addressing the gathering at the Centre, the Minister emphasised that offshore cage farming is the immediate focus of the country using bigger cages. “Cage fish farming is to be expanded to the offshore waters with better cage designs having a size of 30 diameters or above that can accommodate lakhs of juveniles”, Shri Rupala said. He added that ICAR-CMFRI should spearhead research and development efforts in creating these advanced cages. The Minister also urged ICAR-CMFRI to expand seed production technologies for finfishes to all the coastal states utilising the public-private-partnership (PPP) mode. Shri Parshottam Rupala also underscored the untapped potential of Pearl Oyster production, urging ICAR-CMFRI to take a proactive role in scaling up its production in a bigger way. Dr L Murugan, Hon’ble Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Shri. V Muraleedharan, Hon’ble Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs accompanied Shri Parshottam Rupala.

Shri. Abhilaksh Likhi IAS, Secretary, to the Department of Fisheries, Govt. of India also visited the Vizhinjam Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI on 31st August 2023. He said that the Central Government is keen on developing bivalve farming, including mussels, edible oysters, pearl oysters and clams in the country under its PMMSY scheme. He appreciated the efforts of ICAR-CMFRI and its Vizhinjam Centre, which has been at the forefront of providing training to the fish farmers of Kerala in ornamental fish culture and cage culture.

Honourable Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying visits Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR CMFRI

Hon’ble Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying visits Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR CMFRI

As part of the ‘Sagar Parikrama- Phase-VIII’, Shri Parshottom Rupala, Hon’ble Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Govt. of India and Dr. L. Murugan, Hon’ble Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Govt. of India visited the Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (ICAR-CMFRI) on 02nd September, 2023. An exhibition was arranged to showcase the activities of the Centre. Important marine fish resources of the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar region, seaweed farming, IMTA, hatchery-produced cobia, silver pompano and marine ornamental fishes were displayed in the exhibition. The Union Minister Shri. Rupala appreciated the efforts taken for marine fisheries and mariculture development of the region. Later the Union Minister interacted with the seaweed farming fisher women group and addressed their queries. Planting of endemic mangrove Pemphis acidula was also carried out on this occasion.

Smt. Neetu Kumari Prasad, IAS, Joint Secretary (Marine Fisheries), Govt. of India, Shri. Jubin Mohapatra, IAS, Assistant Secretary, Smt. Meera, IAS, Assistant Secretary, Dr. L. Narasimha Murthy, Chief Executive I/c & Senior Executive Director, NFDB, Dr. Sanjay Pandey, Deputy Commissioner of Fisheries along with the other dignitaries were present on the occasion. Dr. K. Vinod, Head along with scientists explained the activities of the Centre to the dignitaries. The event was coordinated by the Fisheries & Fishermen Welfare Department, Ramanathapuram in association with the Mandapam Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI.