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The research on coral reefs being carried out by ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) has garnered national recognition, with Alvin Anto, a Young Professional at the institute securing the prestigious Hasmukh Shah Memorial Award for Ecological Studies for the year 2023, in the research category. The award includes a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakh and a certificate of recognition. Mr. Anto has been recognised for his extensive research on the resilience of the coral reefs in the Lakshadweep Islands, highlighting the increasing threats these critical ecosystems face from climate change and other human-induced factors.The Hasmukh Shah Memorial Award, instituted by the Gujarat Ecology Society (GES) and funded by the Kachnar Trust, aims to honour and reward individuals who have made significant contributions through research, development, or implementation of innovative environmental, technical, or social solutions that address and mitigate pressing sustainability or societal issues. This award is particularly significant as it will help promote the resilience based management approaches which are vital for coral reefs. These approaches aim to develop strategies for the preservation, protection, and restoration of these fragile marine habitats. 

A  passionate ocean enthusiast and a PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) certified Dive Master, Mr Anto has led several underwater surveys concentrating on the coral reefs and associated marine life along the Indian coast and its islands. His work has been instrumental in providing valuable insights and data that are critical for ongoing conservation efforts. He is also part of CMFRI’s team conducting coastal survey on marine mammals. The award will be conferred during the Hasmukh Shah Memorial Lecture, scheduled for the 5th January 2024, at the Federation of Gujarat Industries (FGI) in Vadodara.

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.