30 august 2007 253 - · pdf filepathological product and also used ... from medicinal plants...

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R&D HighlightsR&D HighlightsR&D HighlightsR&D HighlightsR&D Highlights

IICT Network Projects

CSIR identified around 56Network Projects forimplementation during

tenth five year plan (2002-07) bynetworking among various CSIRlaboratories. Based on expertise andcompetence available, the IndianInstitute of Chemical Technology(IICT), Hyderabad, was identifiedas nodal laboratory for two NetworkProjects i.e. Developing GreenTechnologies for Organic Chemicals(CMM-0006) and Globally CompetitiveChemicals, processes and products(COR-0003) with Director, IICT asChairman. During preliminarymeetings, Director, IICT asChairman and the participatinglaboratory scientists as membersidentified project components andsub components. During the reviewperiod, monitoring meetings wereheld on 4-5 July 2006 at IICT amongparticipating laboratories on boththe projects.

Summary on progress of theNetwork Projects up to 30September 2006 is as follows:

1. Title of the Project

Developing Green Technologies forOrganic Chemicals (CMM-06).

1.1 Participating labsCIMAP, IHBT, IICT, IIIM-Jammu,NEIST-Jorhat, NIST-T, NCL,NEERI, IMMT-BB, IIP, CSMCRI,CECRI, CFRI.

1.2 ObjectivesTo develop new products/processes/catalysts/reagents/techniques which

attributes green concept and tomake feasible green products andprocesses for transferring tocommercial exploitation.

1.3 Outcomes achieved• Extraction and isolation of

artemesinin in 5 kg batch.

• Laboratory scale synthesis ofpheromone components IV(E11-hexadecene-1-ol) andV (E11-hexadecenylacetate)(25g batch)

• Synthesis and up-scaling of theprocess technology forpheromone components I (Z11-hexadecen-1-ol), II(Z11-hexadenal) and III (Z11-hexadecenyl acetate) on 25 gbatch size

• Process for trifluoroethanoldemonstrated on 300 gm/batchscale

• a) Chemical route: Process forheptafluoropropane (HFC-227ea) demonstrated andtechnology transferred

b) Electrochemical route:Process developed startingfrom isobutyric acid ToHFC-227ea byelectrochemical fluorination

• A continuous process for 1, 1,1-trifluoro-2, 2-dichloroethane(HCFC-123) developed.

1.4 R&D outputsa. Publications in SCI 22

Journals

b. Patents (Indian/Foreign) 8

c. Technologies transferred 2

2. Title of the Project

Globally CompetitiveChemicals, Processes andProducts (COR-03)

2.1 Participating labsCFRI, CIMAP, CSMCRI,IHBT, IIP, NCL, NEERI,IMMT-BB, IIIM-Jm, NIST-T,IICT

2.2 ObjectivesThe major objective of theproject is to develop globallycompetitive chemical entities,processes and products of highcommercial value.

Outcomes achieved

• Calli formation with respect toits proliferation/growth mediumoptimized; nature and texure ofcalli were documented andused for biosynthesis ofindigotin.

• Process know-how forxanthophylls dye from T. erectaflowers. Process for extraction;isolation of crude dye up to 5kg fresh flowers basis wasdeveloped.

• New homogeneous andsupported catalysts onbiopolymer are synthesizedand evaluated for Heckreaction.

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• Upscaling of taxol side chainand diltiazem using thesupported catalysts, lab scalework for taxol side chain iscompleted and demonstrationto the industry.

• Studies on low temperatureTiCl4 hydrolysis completed.Modeling and validationcompleted. Preliminarystudies on chlorine recoverycompleted.

• Aluminium phosphate andaluminium zirconiumphosphate catalysts wereprepared and tested fordehydration of methanol toDME.

• Preparation of 50 g and 100 gbatch of isonicotinamide andINH has been standardizedgetting 95% yield of INH withhigh purity.

• A promising catalystformulation has been identifiedfor the synthesis of p-methoxybenzonitrile.

• New catalyst systems Cr-terephthalate mesoporousmaterials were prepared fordirect hydroxylation ofbenzene.

R&D outputs

a. Publications in SCI 18Journals

b. Patents (Indian/Foreign) 3

c. Technologies generated 1

Sponsored Projects taken up/completedand S&T Services taken up by IIP

THE Sponsored Projects taken up/completed, andS&T Services taken up by the Indian Institute ofPetroleum (IIP), Dehra Dun in the recent past include:

Sponsored Projects taken up• Studies on the naphtha samples of CPF Gandhar and LPG

plant, Ankleshwar

• Utilization of Glycerol to 1,3/1,2 propanediol

• Batch/continuous transesterification process for utilization ofcoconut oil for bio-diesel production

• Study of lubricants

• Studies on use of bio-diesel (B-100 ) in automotive diesel enginefor performance emissions

Projects completed• Studies on detailed evaluation of NIKO crude oil sample

S&T Services• Testing of bio-diesel samples for Raksha Mantralaya

Anusandhan Tatha Vikas Sangathan Field Research Laboratory

• Testing of bitumen contents/asphaltin residue for M/s TikkiTar Industries, Mumbai

• Testing of HSD samples for Himachal Road TransportCorporation

• Testing of turbine oil samples for M/s Jaiprakash Associates,Chamoli

• Testing of antioxidants for Canilin Fine Chemicals Ltd,Mumbai

• Dynamic Shear Rheometer test and thin film oven test forM/s Tinna Overseas Ltd, New Delhi

• Testing of CBFS-oil sample marked as CBFS – A, B & C forestimating C/H Ratio for M/s Continental Carbon India Ltd,Ghaziabad

• Performance certification of multigrade gear oils for theWestern India Genuine Ghee Co (P) Ltd, Mumbai

• Fabrication of gas apparatus for ONGC-KDMIPE, Dehra Dun


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THE Annual Report of theNorth-East Institute ofScience and Technology

(NEIST), Jorhat, for the year 2005-2006 reveals that performancewiseit had been a successful year for thelaboratory. The institute, during theyear, engaged itself intensely in theapplied as well as basic researchand also in the extension activitiesunder its rural developmentprogramme. The spectrum oflaboratory’s R&D mainly focused onfive broad areas namelyBiotechnology, Chemical Sciences,Engineering Sciences,Environmental Sciences and EarthSciences.

Among the significantachievements the laboratory madeduring the year, the first andforemost being the conferring of ISO9001-2000 quality certificate to thelaboratory by the internationalquality audit, ‘DET NORSKEVERITAS (DNV)’ of Netherlands.Mention can be made about thetransfer of the Low Dust ChalkPencil process to two more partieswithin the state and three partiesreportedly commenced production.Of the new projects contracted bythe laboratory during the year, 11were Grant-in-Aid, 1 collaborativeassignment and seven wereconsultancies with a total contractvalue of Rs 318.9 lakh. Thelaboratory rendered testing/analysis/technical services to morethan 200 of its regular and otherclients comprising of R&Destablishments, industries,

manufacturers, tea-gardens,government departments and otherprivate agencies earning an amountof Rs 8.1 lakh. The laboratorypublished a total of 65 researchpapers in various reputed nationaland international journals with anaverage Impact Factor of 1.866.During the year the quality ofinstitute’s research papers hadimproved a lot over the previousyear in terms of impact factor.

On the societal front, a total of176 hectares of land was newlybrought under the cultivation ofaromatic plants in places likeMizoram, Arunachal Pradesh andinstallation of five distillation unitsin those areas thereby creatingemployment avenues for 760 ruralpeople.

During the period a total of 15projects including 6 consultancieswere completed and the finalreports were submitted to therespective parties. The laboratoryearned an amount of Rs 327 lakh asExternal Cash Flow through variouscontract research, consultancy,testing/analyses, etc.

During the year, the laboratoryentered into three importantMemorandum of Understandingwith the reputed centres of learningviz. Allahabad Agricultural Institute- a deemed university; AssamMedical College, Dibrugarh(Assam) and POGL Institute forPetroleum and Energy Development,Guwahati for functional coordinationand human resource developmentin Science & Technology.


North-East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST), Jorhat

R&D Highlights 2005-2006

Under the HRD programme ofthe laboratory, 12 staff memberswere awarded the degree of Doctorof Philosophy in different disciplinesof science by the various Indianuniversities.

R&D HIGHLIGHTS

Biological Sciences

Study of essential oil compositionof Eaglewood trees (Aquilariamalaccensis)

The Eaglewood tree Aquilariamalaccensis is a precious floralwealth of Northeastern India. Theresinous patches of fragrant woodof the plant known as agar in tradehas great demand in Egypt, Arabiaand throughout the East for use asincense. Agar is considered to be apathological product and also usedfor distilling a kind of essential oilcalled agar attar. It is a vulnerableperfume retainer and attracts veryhigh price by the Europeanperfumers for mixing their bestgrade scent. It is also described asaphrodiasiac, cardiatonic,carminative and termed in trade asliquid gold because of its high value.An oil obtained from non-diseased(healthy) wood of the species hasbeen in use amongst the agar woodtraders in North East India.Therefore, an investigation wascarried out to study the differencesin the compositions of essential oilsobtained from healthy, naturallyinfected and artificially inoculatedeaglewood using GC and GC-MS

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analysis. The study showed amarked difference in the oilcomposition among the treatedwoods with regard to their quality.

Complementing a novel bacterialgenus and species into MicrobialTaxonomy from Garampani Hot-spring of Nambar, Assam

A novel bacterial straindesignated GPTSA 20T was isolatedfrom Garampani, Nambar of theGolaghat district of Assam. Thecells were gram-negative,mesophilic, oxidase- and catalase-positive, motile aerobic rods. It wasconfirmed that the strain GPTSA20T belonged to the class‘Grammaproteobacteria’ andnamed as Aquimonas voraii, gen.nov.sp.nov. The type strain isGPTSA 20T (=MTCC 6713 T=JCM 12896 T. This is a part ofjoint collaborative work ofIMTECH, Chandigarh and NEIST.

Search for novel metabolites frommicrobial endophytes

Isolated seven strains ofendophytic fungi and Streptomycesfrom medicinal plants of Tawang,Bomdila, Arunachal Pradesh at12000 ft. altitude and the potentialmetabolites showing antimicrobialactivity in the preliminary screeningwere put into structure elucidationthrough HPLC-DAAD assay, NMRspectroscopy. Partial sequence of16srRNA gene and related assay todetermine their entity was in progress.

Release of Partial sequence of16srRNA genes to NCBI GeneBank, Bethesda, USA

Partial sequence of 16srRNAgene of several functionallyimportant strains were released to

NCBI Gene Bank, Bethesda,Maryland, USA. The work wascarried out in collaboration withIGIB, New Delhi. The work was apart of exploratory work onmicrobial diversity of NE India toexplore and enrich the nationalgene bank from the untapped genepool of Indo-Burma hot zone.

Development of microbialinventory/database

The work on development ofmicrobial database/inventory of thestrains being isolated andcharacterized by the laboratory fromIndo-Burma hot zone having importantfunctionalities was in progress.

Isolation, identification andcharacterization of antibacterialproteins from Muga silkwormAntheraea assama

The flacherie disease has beencausing considerable damage tothe silkworm, especially the mugaAntheraea assama. A bacteria strainwas identified as the pathogenicPseudomonas aeruginosa strainAC-3 that causes the disease inmuga silkworm Antheraea assama.The antibacterial proteins wereisolated from haemolymph of heatkilled bacterial protein isolationwere performed with columnchromatography (Sephadex G-75)and HPLC using C-18 column. Thefractions isolated were freeze driedand analyzed by LS-MS. It was foundto be a positively charged proteinmolecule having molecular weight23 kDA.

International collaborativeprogramme on drug discovery fromActinomycetes proposed

An international composite

project on ‘Drug discovery fromActinomycetes’ against neglectedbacterial and parasitic diseases wassubmitted to EuropeanCommission under SpecificTargeted Research project schemefor financial support.

Plant tissue culture and molecularbiology

Micropropagation protocolthrough axillary shooting wasdeveloped for pitcher plant,Nepenthes khasiana, a highlyendemic and endangered plant.Rooting in the in-vitro formedshoots was initiated. DNA fingerprinting works on Machilusbombycina, Zanthoxylum spp.collected from different location ofNorth East India was in progress.Two batches of cell culture of Panaxquinquelolium in Bioreactorproduced secondary metboliteparticularly ginsenosides to adesired quality.

Study of composition of essential oilin various plant species

Composition of Cinnamomumpauciflorum leaf essential oil foundto differ from Cinnamomum verumand C. cassia by the presence of threecomponents, one aldehyde and twoditerpenes consisting only 0.3% of thetotal oil. Marked differences in thecompositions of essential oils obtainedfrom healthy and naturally infectedstrain was observed in Aquilariamalaccensis (Eagle wood tree).

Ethnobotanic Studies

Information on the usage of 50plant species by Shyamcommunities of Assam representedby 62 prescriptions and 15 broad


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ailments were recorded. For eachplant species, local names,medicinal uses, parts of plant used,forms of preparations andapplications and their use inparticular ailments wasdocumented.

Agro-practices for propagatingLentinus edodes, commonly calledShiitake mushroom, was developed.This species fetched good prices forits medicinal values and was foundsuitable nutritional values andsuitable to grow in hilly region.

Study of root rot diseaseRoot rot the causual organism

of wilt disease of Withania somniferawas identified as Fusarium solaniwhich caused 30-50% mortality.Work to control this disease was inprogress.

Study for yield of higher biomassDetermination of optimal

parameters for production of higherbiomass of Aquilaria agallocha,Cymbopogon citratus, C.Jawarancusa, Litsea cubeba,Asparagus racemosus, Bacopamoneirri was continuing.

Plant extract for bioactivemolecules

Under the project“Development andcommercialization of bioactive andtraditional preparation”, 1500 plantextracts and lead extractives weretaken up for agro bio evaluationagainst designated target insectsunder toxicity, feeding deterencyand ICR studies. Six extracts wereconfirmed to have possessed withpromising activities by repeatscreening.

Eighty-nine samples were

collected. Among these, 51herbarium specimens were sent toNBRI, Lucknow, seed samples of 39species sent to CIMAP and 89 plantsamples to IIIM-Jammu.

Evaluation of Jatropha accessionsUnder a NMITLI project for

genetic improvement of Jatrophacurcas for adaptability and oil yield,institute collected 15 accessionsfrom geographically distincthabitats of N. E. India which werefound to contain fatty oil from 25 to36 percent. Elite accessions fromdifferent regions viz. U. P., Gujarat,Andhra Pradesh, Tamilnadu,Haryana, West Bengal, Orissa, etc.were also collected and planted toevaluate their performance underagro-climatic conditions of N. E.India. Cuttings of native stock werecollected and sent to ten differentinstitutes of India for evaluation.Further work was in progress.

Studies were also undertakenon: Search for chemotypes of Litseacubeba from North East IndianGermplasm for exploiting highquality essential oil of commercialutility; New method for propagationof Piper longum; Development ofnew strain of lemongrass(Cymbopogon flexuosus); andDevelopment of high valuemedicinal and aromatic plants forArunachal Pradesh.

Chemical Sciences(Material sciences)

Modified clay catalysed Friedel-Crafts reaction of phenol with 4-hydroxy-butan 2-one to produce 4-(4´-hydroxyphenyl)butan-2-one(Raspberry ketone)

Industrially important organic

molecule such as 4-(4´-hydroxyphenyl)butan-2-one alsoknown as “Raspberry Ketone” isused in perfume industries, foodindustries and also in compositionsfor weight loss with improved taste.A process has been developed toproduce 4-(4´-hydroxyphenyl)butan-2-one using modifiedsupported clay (Montmorillonite) assolid acid catalysts where about80% selectivity and 40% conversionwere achieved. The surface area(BET), oxidic compositions, thermalcharacteristics, crystallinity (XRD)etc. of the catalysts weredetermined. The reaction productswere characterized by GC, NMR,IR, HPLC and elemental analyses.Further optimization and scale-upstudies were in progress.

Studies were also undertakenon: Cleaning of high sulphur N. E.coals; X-Ray analysis of graphenelayers of Assam coal; andDevelopment of a new analyticalmethod for estimation of Diosgenin.

HPLC method of ergot alkaloidsdeveloped

Effective analysis of the variousergot alkaloids is often difficult. Thelaboratory developed a HPLCmethod which was successfullyemployed to separate all thecompounds with excellent peakshape. The compounds wereAgroclavine, Lysergene,Festuclavine, Pyroclavine,Ergocornine, d-Ergocryptine andErgocristine.

Studies were undertaken on:Ion pair formation and Hofmeistereffects in electrolyte solutions;Oxidative addition of differentelectrophiles with rhodium(I)carbonyl complexes of


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unsymmetrical bis-(phosphine)monoselenide ligands;Monocarbonyliridium(I) complexesof P-Se ligands and oxidativeaddition reactions; Interaction ofbulky cationic dyes (Pyronin Yand Rhodamine 6G) with differentforms of Montmorillonite claymatrix and characterization of thecomposites; and Adsorption of smallorganic aromatic acids on oxidesurfaces.

Characterization of limestoneresources of NE Region for valueaddition and rational utilization

Beneficiation of limestone fromNew Umrangshu (North CacharHills, Assam) was investigated bydry and wet grinding followed bysize separation. The coarse fraction(-25 mm +18.75 mm) containedmaximum amount of CaO (~52%)and minimum amounts of SiO2

(1.53), Al2O3 (0.79%) and Fe2O3

(0.68%). The fine fraction (-12.5 mm)contained the minimum amount ofCaO (50.92%) and maximumamount of SiO2 (2.25%), Al2O3

(0.93%) and Fe2O3 (1.32%). Most ofthe kaolinite clay mineralconcentrated in the fine fraction.The limestone might find use as afluxing material in metallurgyand raw material for manufacturinglime required in manufacturing ofsugar, soda ash, caustic soda,water treatment etc. It was possibleto obtain a fraction having morethan 54% CaO with low SiO2

(~0.5%), Al2O3 (~0.6%) and Fe2O3

(~0.7%) by further grindingthe lime stone followed byseparation by dispersion-cum-settling technique. The work wasfunded by Ministry of Mines, NewDelhi.

Alkali activated blended cements:mechanical strength, pore solutioncomposition and zeolite formation

The effect of sodium hydroxide,sodium carbonate, sodium sulphateand sodium silicate on the limereactivity of metakaolin wasinvestigated as per Indian Standardmethods. The hydration productswere separated by dispersioncum sedimentation technique andthe same were characterized.The strengths of the mortar cubeswere affected by the natureand concentration of the alkali/salt.The work was funded byMinistry of Water Resources,Research & Development Division,New Delhi.

Evaluation of bench scale conditionsof preparation of Mixed-MetalHydroxide and suitability of it asdrilling fluid additive for drillingoperations of OIL

The suitability of Mixed-MetalHydroxides prepared in thelaboratory was evaluated asviscofier for clay based drilling fluidof OIL using clay supplied by OILDuliajan. Results obtained showedthat the less than 1 mm fractioncontent in clay was extremelyimportant for MMH to work asviscofier. MMH, being an inorganicenvironmentally benign andeconomically cheap material is asuitable product for oil industry forusing as a viscofier in normal drillingoperations. The steps involved in itspreparation are not very complex.Therefore, the project on successfulcompletion bore prospect forsuccessful commercialization.Thework was carried out under acollaborative project funded by OIL,Duliajan.

Natural Products

Bioactive MoleculesUnder a CSIR coordinated

project on development &commercialization of bioactivemolecules from plant sources a totalof 16 plants and 16 plant parts wereextracted with three differentsolvents and a total of 47 extractsmade. These extracts were sent todifferent bioevaluating laboratoriesfor screening against differentdiseases. Under single moleculediscovery scheme, a total of 9 puresingle molecules were sent forbioevaluation. Out of these samples,RRLJ-Dan/Eto exhibited anti-gastric ulcer activity and sampleRRLJ-Dan/Ac exhibited anti-Parkinson’s activity. Repeat sampleswere sent for further study.

Total Synthesis of Natural Products(+)-Boronolide, an α , β -

unsaturated d-lactone containing apolyacetoxy side-chain was isolated.Tetradenia fruticosa is known topossess antimalarial property; astereoselective total synthesis of thismolecule was accomplished.

A concise synthesis of thepharmacologically importantnatural product (+)-preussin wasachieved. Two asymmetric C-Cbond-formation reactions mediatedby binaphthol-derived asymmetriccatalysts were applied to control thestereochemistry of its threestereocenters.

The piperidine alkaloid (+)-sedamine has long been used for thetreatment of narcotic poisoning, coal gas asphyxia,pneumonia and control of anxiety asfolk medicine in the


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sunlight, etc. was being exploited inthe course of the reactions.

Studies were carried out on theMild and efficient indium(III)chloride catalyzed Sonograshiracoupling reaction of aryl halides.

The chemistry of pyrimidine isof great interest because theyconstitute the basic unit of DNAbases and are also used as antibiotic(blasticidin), CNS depressants(Phanobarbital), antimicrobial(pyrimido-2,4-diamines) andantitumor agents (5-fluoro uracil).On the other hand, the steroidalheterocycles such as danazol,deflazacort, cortivazol, nevazol, 2-azasteroid and finasteride, attractmuch attention due to theirbiological activities against variousailments such as benign prostatichyperplasis, asthma, prostratecancer and L-1210 leukemia.Because of the biological activitiesimparted by these heterocycles orsteroids, the attention for thepreparation of novel A-and D-ringannelated heterosteroids continueto intensify. A novel strategy for theconstruction of pyrimidine nucleuson steroids using chemistry of b-formyl enamide was developed andthe reaction was generalized byemploying various. A- and D-ringsteroidal, alicyclic and acyclicformyl anamides.

Development ofGreen Chemistry

I2/surfactant/water systemdeprotecting oximes and imines tothe corresponding carbonylcompounds under neutralconditions in water

In recent years, development ofenvironmentally benign methods/

reagents received attention fromchemists, because of theconservation of global eco-system.Water is an environment friendlysolvent. It is cheap, readily availableand non-toxic with high dipolemoment. Therefore, thedevelopment of new methodology inwater is necessary for conservationof environment. However, the mainhurdles in using water as a solventare (1) most of the organic reagent/catalysts are insoluble in water (2)the moisture sensitive reactants/catalysts cannot survive in water. Toovercome these hurdles, asurfactant in water is anappropriate candidate forsolubilizing the organic reactants/catalyst and maintaining ananhydrous environment formoisture sensitive reagents andperforming the reaction in water. Inthis endeavour, a selective oxidationof oximes and imines to carbonylsunder neutral conditions in waterwas undertaken and performedsuccessfully. Here, the surfactantsolubilized water insoluble I2 andorganic reactants in water andselectively deprotected iminies andoximes to carbonyls. No overoxidized product i.e. acid wasdetected in the reaction mixture.The concept could be applied toR&D/technology development.

(a) Surfactant/I2 water An efficient system for

deprotection of oximes and iminesto carbonyls under neutralconditions in water. The system wasused for deprotecting a range ofoximes and imines to thecorresponding carbonyls underneutral conditions in water at [25-40]0C with high to excellent yield.

Indian subcontinent in crude form.This molecule was synthesizedutilizing two regioselective ring-opening reactions of epoxide withvinyl metallic reagent and a ring closing metathesis reaction as thekey steps.

A total synthesis of theaminopeptidase inhibitor (-)-beststin was achieved involvingasymmetric nitro-aldol reaction asthe key step.

The chemistry of steroidallactones is of great interest as manyof this class of compounds werepotent antitumor agents. Metal-mediated halogenation techniquewas used as a key step to synthesizeD-ring fused 16-a-steroidal- g-butyro lactones 2&3 from 20-oxopregnane I.

The phytotoxic lactoneherbarumin III was synthesized in11% overall yield. The approachapplied involved, Keck’sasymmetric allylation andSharpless epoxidation to build thekey fragment. Esterification withknown acid and a ring closingmetathesis was used to arrive at thetarget.

New Chemistry developed

Acyl derivative of N-hydroxy-2-thiopyridone (1) popularly known as‘Barton ester’ is a good source ofalkyl radical.

A study was carried out togenerate substituted alkyl radicalsfrom dicarboxylic acids or fromacids of complex stereo structures.Further study would be about itsuse in carbon-carbon bondformation reaction.

Use of non-conventional energysource such as microwave energy,


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(b) Conversion of alcohols toaldehydes and ketones using I2-KI-K2CO3-H2O system

A new system, I2-KI-K2CO3-H2O, which selectively oxidizedalcohols to aldehydes and ketonesunder anaerobic condition in waterat 90oC with excellent yield wasdeveloped. The process is green,mild and inexpensive.The selectiveoxidation of alcohols to carbonyls isan important transformation inorganic synthesis. Thistransformation uses organicsolvents, transition metals, air/O2,toxic oxygen containing oxidants,etc. To overcome these classicalhurdles, a new reagent system [KI/12/K2CO3/Water] which avoidsorganic solvents, transition metals,air/O2, toxic oxygen containingoxidants, etc. was developed. Theprocess is clean, anaerobic andeconomically viable.

Petroleum Products

Development of specialty polymersfor use in petroleum and aliedindustries

Work was undertaken for thedevelopment of specialty polymersby Controlled/Living RadicalPolymerization for use in petroleumand allied industries with the aimof developing tailor-made polymericadditives by transition metalcatalyzed living radicalpolymerization technique for use asadditives for crude oils andpetroleum products.

Cocrystallization behaviour ofpoly(n-docosyl acrylate) with n-docosanoic acid by X-ray anddifferential scanning calorimetrystudies

Cocrystallization of comb-likepoly(n-docosyl acrylate) (PDA) withn-docosanoic acid (C22) have beenstudied by differential scanningcalorimetry (DSC) and X-raydiffraction (XRD) methods. DSCmeasurement of PDA/C22 blendsshowed the characteristic meltingendotherms and also suggested theexistence of another crystallineform induced by the addition of theC22. The existence of hexagonally-packed crystalline lattice and thephase behaviour of PDA/C22 blendswere established from XRD studies.Thermal degradation behaviour ofPDA/C22 blends were performed bythermogravimetric analyzer.

Studies were also undertakenon: Atom transfer radicalpolymerization of n-docosylacrylate; Synthesis of comb-likepolymers by atom transfer radicalpolymerization; and A novelindium-catalyzed Sonogashiracoupling reaction, effected in theabsence of a copper salt, phosphine,ligand and palladium.

Engineering Sciences

Studies were carried out onDevelopment of a manufacturingprocess for green tea polyphenols(GTP) from Assam tea;Nutraceuticals for health andspecialty foods throughbiotechnology approaches;Development of a process forproduction of liquid fuel frompetroleum refinery solid waste ofNorth Eastern Region of Indiaby thermal and catalytic cracking;and Development of enantio-selective membranes from chiralpolymers.

Earth Sciences

Studies were carried out on:Complex tectonic model of ShillongPlateau; and seismic hazard, riskassessment and environmentalstudies for North-East India:Attenuation of coda waves in theNortheastern region of India.

Seismological data base forChedrang Valley, Meghalaya

Seismological data base wasprepared for about 1776 earthquakesin Chedrang valley and its vicinity,East Garo Hills, Meghalaya duringthe period 2004-2005. The databaseis useful for the assessment ofseismic hazard in the Chedrangvalley region in Meghalaya.

Studies were made on:attenuation of coda wave andwaveform analysis estimation offocal mechanism solutions using P-wave polarity method and waveforminversion technique; Attenuationparameters deduced fromattenuation of coda wave in NER;and Attenuation properties ofsampled area.

Studies were undertaken on:Preparation of Qc Map; Evaluationof an empirical relation betweennetwork duration magnitude,MD(A) and Energy(E); andModelling of earthquake source andground motion in chedrang fault andits neighbourhood.

Environmental Sciences

Remediation and management ofcoalmining wasteland of NorthEastern Coalfields of Margherita

In situ remediation of theenvironment degradation in


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THE Indian Institute of Chemical Technology(IICT), Hyderabad, organized a one-day seminaron Fluorine compounds in pharmaceutical and

agrochemical industries; in association with DuPont, themultinational giant and a pioneer in the fluorine chemistry in theworld.

In his opening remarks, Dr J.S. Yadav, Director, IICT, saidthat IICT is the only laboratory in the country, which isundertaking any sort of work on fluorine chemistry, a job ofhazardous nature. Dr A.V. Rama Rao, CMD, AVRA Labs andformer Director, IICT, traced the evolution of the Fluoro-organicsdepartment at IICT and said that the importance offluorochemistry in the present era can be gauged by the fact that“one out of three pharmaceutical products use fluorine as one ofthe combinations.”

Ms Kelly G. Kolliopoulos, Global Head, DuPont, who made apresentation on the history of DuPont and its achievements in the204 years since its inception informed the gathering that thecompany was going to set up a Rs 200 crore R&D facility atHyderabad for research on fluorointermediates. DuPont wasdeveloping new reagents that will help fluorine to be put into drugcompounds. Fluorine integration, in turn, would achieve moreeffective medicines, healthier crops and high performancepolymers. Fluoro products, which constitute $ 2 billion of DuPont’sover $ 30 billion turnover, find a range of applications inrefrigeration, pharma, cookware, agriculture, electronics,semiconductor, consumer products and life sciences.

Ms Kolliopoulos further said that DuPont has the capabilityto incorporate fluorine in a growing variety in a number of ways.Single fluorines, difluorocarbene, trifluoromethyls and higher orderfluorinated groups and new fluorinated intermediates launchedby DuPont include TFEDMA, FTESA and HFIBO. Theseproducts and the other DuPont products in the pipeline will be ofgreat use in promoting healthier crops, more effective medicinesand high performance polymers.

Dr Rene Gree, Director of Research, University of Rennes,France, in his key-note address presented some of the workconducted in the field of fluorochemistry in relation to potentialapplications. Shri S.Narayan Reddy, Head, FluoroorganicsDivision, IICT, Dr Homi Bhedwar, Director, R&D and Shri SahilBablani, Business Development Executive of DuPont India,respectively also spoke on the occasion.

Seminar on Fluorine Compounds inPharmaceutical and Agrochemical Industries

overburden dumping site due tocoalmine activity of the North EasternCoal Fields of Margherita wasundertaken. From the preliminaryinvestigation, it was found that Mimosastrigillosa and M. pigra are suitablespecies for mine overburden tailingssecondary succession. The species ofmonocots Lemongrass (Cymbopogonflexosus) and Citronella (Cymbopogonwinterianus Jowith), the Eupetoriumspecies and some bamboo species alsoreached its minimum canopy size.These species were also found to growwell in coalmine overburden dumps.However, for initial establishmentamendment of organic manure seemedto be essential to get the targetedsuccession. Stunted growth anddevelopment were recorded in theplants introduced in the coalmineoverburden dumping sites. The canopysize were also less than that of the actualsize. On the basis of the observationsmade it can be confirmed that a closecultivation of different plant species isurgently important to achieve themaximum dominance of different plantspecies. The cultivation of shrubbyannual legume plant Dhanshyasleguminous plant which can fix nitrogenand shrubby leguminous plant speciesof Cassia was recommended.

Assessment and promotion of wetlandeconomic biodiversity of Manipur

NEIST sub-station at Manipurundertook a study of baselineinformation and analysis on the wetlandbioresources, traditional medicinalplants, aromatic plants, wild edibleplants, mushrooms cultivation/cultureand vermi-composting, etc. of Manipur.The work was funded by the GB PantInstitute of Himalayan Environment &Development of Almora.

SSSSSeminarseminarseminarseminarseminars

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Workshop on Integrated Fluorosis Mitigation:Challenges and Avenues

DUE to the lowering ofgroundwater in manyparts of India, there are

significant risks of increasedbacteriological and chemicalcontaminations mainly due toarsenic, nitrate and fluoride.Therefore, to mitigate thesecontaminants there is a need for a“holistic” health managementapproach. This approach needs tobegin with establishing tolerablelevels of risk to human health for thespecific chemicals followed byappropriate risk managementstrategies.

The National EnvironmentalEngineering Research Institute(NEERI), Nagpur, with UnitedNations Children’s Fund(UNICEF), has jointly carried outa project on TechnicalStrengthening of PHED MP/CHUNICEF Bhopal/NEERICollaboration of Effective Deliveryof TSC/SD (Principal Investigators:Dr Samual Godfrey, Dr S.R. Wateand Dr S.S. Rayalu) wherein a novelconcept of Integrated FluorosisMitigation has been pursued toaddress the growing problem offluorosis.

Fluorosis is caused by intake ofhigh levels of fluoride from variousexposure routes. A large number of

attempts have been reported mainlyon Defluoridation of water, whichreduces fluoride in water; however,it cannot address the problem offluorosis completely. Therefore, thedevelopment of new materials aswell as better water management isimperative for defluoridation ofwater, while nutritionalsupplements can also play importantrole in mitigation of fluorosis.

These studies have beenconducted and the findings arebeing documented in the form ofmanual. This guidance manual maybe considered as the first of its kindas it provides and applies ModernScientific Approaches outlined inWHO GDWQ Vol. 3(2004) to ruralIndian communities. The manual isthe 2nd in the series published byNEERI in collaboration withUNICEF Bhopal. This manualpresents a review of fluoridepollution in ground water andexisting fluorosis mitigationapproaches, while the mainobjective of this manual is to presentthe comprehensive approach of‘Integrated Fluorosis Mitigation’(IFM) involving QCRA, wise watermanagement, domesticdefluoridation of water andnutritional supplements. Themanual contains results of recent

studies carried out on theseapproaches of fluorosis mitigation,under the joint research projectbetween NEERI and UNICEFreferred above.

The manual has been peerreviewed during two-day workshopon ‘Integrated Fluorosis Mitigation’(IFM) held at NEERI. Thisworkshop was sponsored byUNICEF with participation fromvarious agencies including UNDP,IWMI, UNHSP, MPRLP, PHED,SEUF, DDWS, NCHSE, VVS etc.

A series of lectures weredelivered during the workshop byDr Samuel Godfrey, Dr S.R. Wate,Dr Sadhana Rayalu, Dr NitinLabhsetwar, Dr Amit Bansiwal, DrSanjay Kamble and Dr SrimanthKagne and demonstration forhousehold treatment was presentedby Dr Rajesh B. Biniwale.

Various dignitaries andacademicians expressed their viewson the manual on IFM which hasbeen written specifically forpractitioners involved in thefluorosis mitigation programme.This includes local governing bodies,engineers, water quality analysts,scientists, sociologists andprofessionals.

WorkshopsWorkshopsWorkshopsWorkshopsWorkshops

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CSIR Trainer’s TrainingProgram on E-Journals,WoS, Patent Databases

WHO Fellowship Training Programme on Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillanceand Emergency Water Supply and Sanitation

THE training programmesponsored by World HealthOrganization (WHO), New

Delhi, on Water Quality Monitoringand Surveillance and EmergencyWater Supply and Sanitation washeld during 5-30 March 2007 at theNational EnvironmentalEngineeing Research Institute(NEERI), Nagpur. The trainees fromMynamar and Bhutan participated intraining.

Under the broad umbrella of thesubject, the training was divided insix categories.

Water quality parameters andhealth aspects; persistent organicpollutants in water; water qualitymonitoring and surveillance; waterresources management; Differentanalytical techniques for analysis ofwater quality parameters includingsea water; emergency water supplyand sanitation.

In water quality parameters andhealth aspects significance ofdifferent water quality parameters,their guidelines health effects andtechnologies for their removal werediscussed. The significant healthrelated parameters mainly fluorides,arsenic and iron were discussed indetail which include chemistry,geological aspects, health criteria andtechnological intervention. Apartfrom this significance of biologicaland bacteriological parameters,regarding waterborne diseases werealso taught.

Importance of surveillance ofdrinking water quality, managing

coastal area for water managementand treatment, and process ofconventional water treatment werediscussed in detail, in the trainingprogramme.

Water resource managementincludes importance of EIA studiesfor various water resourcemanagement practices, importance ofpublic participation in water supply,rain water harvesting. During thetraining programme, the lectureswere delivered on topics likewatershed management, remotesensing and resistivity metertechnique as a tool for studying waterresources and contamination.

The various issues relating toemergency water supply andsanitation were considered duringthe training. The unit developed bythe National EnvironmentalEngineering Research Institute(NEERI), Nagpur, for water supplyduring emergency period was alsodemonstrated.

The use of sophisticatedanalytical technique andinstrumentation like GC, HPLC, ICPand AAS in analysis of persistentorganic pollutants and metal analysiswere demonstrated during thetraining programme.

Apart from lectures andlaboratory studies, field visits werearranged for demonstration of watertreatment technologies and watersampling. The study material ontraining programme andparticipation certificates weredistributed on last day of training.

I NFORMATION Centre forAerospace Science and Technology(ICAST) hosted a two days’

workshop on ‘CSIR E-Journals andDatabases Trainer’s Training Program’during 12-13 July 2007. This event, thethird in a continuing series for all theCSIR laboratories at zonal level wasorganized under the CSIR E-Journalsconsortia , coordinated by the NationalInstitute of Science Communication AndInformation Resources (NISCAIR), NewDelhi. CSIR Centre for MathematicalModelling and Computer Simu-lation(CMMACS), Bangalore; CentralFood Technological Research Institute,(CFTRI), Mysore; National Institute forInterdisciplinary Science and Technology(NIST), Thiruvananthapuram; and somescientists of the National AerospaceLaboratories (NAL), Bangalore,participated. The main objective of thisprogram was to impart training foraccessing the e-journals, databases andstandards. After a brief welcome by Dr I.R. N. Goudar, Shri Prakash Chand, thecoordinator of CSIR E-Journalsconsortium spoke about the conception,inception and the status of this consortiumwith more than 5500 e-journals held by the major publishers. E-Journals, theconsortium has also provided access toimportant bibliographic databases likeWeb of Science (WoS), DerwentInnovative Index (DII), Delphion fromThomson Inc., BIS (Bureau of IndianStandards) and ASTM standards on CD, astand alone accessible through ICASTsystem only. The program concluded withlots of innovative ideas, shared thoughtsfor further improvement and newadditions from the participants.

Training ProgrammesTraining ProgrammesTraining ProgrammesTraining ProgrammesTraining Programmes

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TWO trainingp r o g r a m m e s ,each of one

week’s duration,sponsored by the Ministryof Shipping, RoadTransport and Highways,Government of India,were organized by theIndian Institute ofPetroleum (IIP),Dehra Dun for Officers ofState TransportDepartments from variousstates of India. The firstprogramme wasinaugurated by Shri S.Ramaswami, Secretary,Home & Transport andTransport Commi-ssioner,Uttarakhand, and had 31participants. The secondprogramme wasinaugurated by Shri R.C.Mittal, Chief Engineer,PWD, Uttarakhand andhad 24 participants. Thestates represented wereAndhra Pradesh, Gujarat,Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan,Kerala and Maharashtraand Orissa.

TrainingProgrammes on

VehicularPollution

organized by IIP

World Environment Day celebrated at NEERI

Dr Ajay Mathur delivering the World Environment Day LectureSeated on the dais (from left): Dr S.P. Pande, Dr Sukumar Devotta and Shri A. Ghosh

THE World Environment Daywas celebrated on 6 June 2007at the National Environmental

Engineering Research Institute(NEERI), Nagpur. Dr Ajay Mathur,Director General, Bureau of EnergyEfficiency (BEE), Government ofIndia, was the Chief Guest on theoccasion.

Dr Mathur delivered theEnvironment Day lecture on the topic“Environment, Technologies andMarkets: The Promise of IndianGlobal Competitiveness”. Dr Mathursaid that climate change mitigationhas promoted the early and largescale adoption of renewable energyand energy efficient products. Heinformed that Suzlon / R E Power isthe third largest wind energyequipment manufacturer in theworld. Havells is globally the fifthlargest manufacturer of CFLs/lighting equipment, he added. Hesaid that Hyderabad based Vijay

Electricals has captured globaltransformer market. He opined thatenvironmental compliance has helpedin creating more demand for suchenvironmentally superior productswidening their market. Dr Mathursaid that although environmentalcompliance involves high cost, it alsoallows an increase in economicgrowth besides enhancing the globalcompetitiveness of Indianmanufacturers. Giving examples ofsome Indian companies, he said thatthe manufacturers/industries havenow expanded to areas which hadnever even dared to venture earlierand were completely unknown.

Dr Mathur said that complianceof Kyoto protocol has led to creationof certain performance standards inthe country, which were non existenttill now. It has also allowed use ofrenewable energy as a mandatorymeasure, he added. Dr Mathurinformed that the Maharashtra grid

Training Programmes/World Environment DayTraining Programmes/World Environment DayTraining Programmes/World Environment DayTraining Programmes/World Environment DayTraining Programmes/World Environment Day

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PROF. Rajani Joshi from IIT-Bombay gave an informative talk titled‘Next Generation Healthcare Paradigms and Information Technology’at the Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bangalore, on 14 May 2007.

The talk focused on latest research in the field of clinical diagnosis andtreatment using concepts from Ayurveda and Yagya therapy. Prof Joshimentioned that all human beings share 99.9 % of human genome sequencesand all the physical variations among human beings are in fact attributableto the remaining 0.1%. Common gene in two individuals may cause a diseasein one but not in the other depending on the phenotype of the person. Anequivalent of the concept of human phenotype could be found in Ayurvedain the form of prakriti, which is defined by the Vat - Pitta - Kaf (the threedoshas) structure. According to her, each person has a different level ofeach dosha. So the efforts are on to classify human phenotypes using theTridosha structure. Only when such a mapping is complete would it bepossible to identify how genes would work in a particular individual, andtherapy based upon gene modifications be possible.

Prof. Joshi then discussed how modern research labs are trying tomeasure the pulse (Nadis) which are the channels of flow of blood.Experienced Ayurvedic doctors can identify the complete tridosha systemof an individual based on the pulse.

The latter part of the talk dealt with her research at BrahmavarchasResearch Institute, Haridwar on Yagya therapy. She mentioned that modernmedical science is now convinced that inhalation is the most effective meansof drug injection in human body. It has also been found that the medicinesinhaled through yagya fumes are very potent for treatment and stay inblood for long periods of time.

Next Generation Healthcare Paradigmsand Information Technology

is fed with 1000 MW of energygenerated from renewablesources as per the CentralElectricity Act 2003. He said thatrapid economic growth providesnew and expanding marketopportunities. Globalcompetitiveness drives adoption /manufacture of productsproviding environmentallysuperior services and for thisR&D support is crucial for designand engineering, where NEERIhas to play a major role, he added.

Earlier, Dr Sukumar Devotta,Director, NEERI welcomed theChief Guest and in his inauguraladdress spoke on the importanceof World Environment Day. DrDevotta briefed about this year’stheme “Melting Ice: A HotTopic?” He said that eachindividual should take theresponsibility for preserving ourenvironment.

Dr S.P. Pande, Scientist &Head, R&D Planning Unitintroduced the Chief Guest andShri A. Ghosh, Sr. Scientist, R&DPlanning Unit, proposed a voteof thanks.

THE National BotanicalResearch Institute (NBRI),Lucknow, organized the two-

day CSIR Programme on Youth forLeadership in Science (CPYLS) atNBRI on 10-11 May 2007. Thirty-five students of various schools andcolleges participated in theprogramme. Twelve of them were

NBRI organizes CSIR Programme onYouth for Leadership in Science

CSIR nominees and board positionholders, whereas 23 were nominatedfrom different colleges by the INSAlocal chapter. The function wasinaugurated by the Chief Guest, ProfH.Y. Mohan Ram, former-Professorof Botany, Delhi University, Delhi.Dr R.K. Gupta, Senior mostScientist, NBRI, welcomed and

introduced the Chief Guest,whereas Dr J.K. Johri, Scientist,NBRI, spoke about the genesis ofthe programme.

Prof. Mohan Ram in hisinteresting lecture on ‘Wonders andChallenges – The Plant Life’, talkedabout some fascinating plants, likegiant Sequoia tree and flowers which

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CPYLS

change colours during pollinationand later on when they are notready for pollination.

Dr R.C. Srimal, former-Director, Industrial ToxicologyResearch Centre, Lucknow, onbehalf of the local INSA chapter, toldthe students about the excitementsof the science that holds for all ofus. He said that science wasgrowing at a great pace, especiallyin the field of biotechnology. Thechanging environmental conditionsposed great challenges to thehumanity and the young studentscould embark upon to becomefuture leaders to tackle thesechallenges.

Delivering a talk on thefascinating world of ornamentals, DrS.K. Datta, Scientist, NBRI talkedabout the research work andcommercialization of ornamentalsbeing pursued by NBRI. He alsotold the students about the careersand opportunities available in thefield of floriculture.

The students wereintroduced to the new science ofbiotechnology by Dr P. Nath, Plants

at Antarcticaby Dr SanjeevNayak andE n i g m a t i cworld of lowerplants by DrP.B. Khare.Students wereexplained thefunctioning ofE l e c t r o nMicroscope byDr M.R.Suseela. Thelast session wasan interactivesession where,the studentsraised a numberof curious andi n t e l l i g e n tq u e s t i o n swhich wereexplained byProf. G.K.Garg, former-Professor andpresently Director (R&D), KrishiDhan Seeds, Jalna, Maharashtra anda team of Scientists of NBRI. The

Dr J.K. Johri, Scientist, NBRI, detailing the genesis of the CPYLSprogramme. Seated on the dais (from left) are: Dr R.K. Gupta,

Prof. H. Y. Mohan Ram, Dr R.C. Srimal and Dr S.K.Datta

Prof. G.K . Garg, answering the queries put by students inthe interactive session

A group photograph of students, scientists and educators who participated in the CPYLS 2007

session ended with presentation ofcertificates to the participants byProf. Garg.

CSIR NEWS268268268268268

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Honours & AwardsHonours & AwardsHonours & AwardsHonours & AwardsHonours & Awards

Dr V.P. Dimri receives FAPCCI Award

hydrocarbons and groundwater.Dr Dimri is pioneering a pilot

project to enhance oil recovery fromIndian oil wells in collaboration withNorwegian Scientists. He has pro-posed a new method for Tsunamiwave propagation modeling using

Dr V.P. Dimri, Director, NGRI, receiving the FAPCCI awardfrom Shri Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh

Dr Dinesh Mohan nominated as a member of theEditorial Board of Journal of Hazardous Materials

DR Dinesh Mohan, Scientist, Environmental Chemistry Divisionof Industrial Toxicology Research Centre (ITRC), Lucknow, hasbeen nominated as member of the Editorial Board of Journal of Hazardous Materials

(HAZMAT) published by Elsevier. In addition, he has also been nominated as member of PolishJournal of Environmental Studies and Managing Editor (ME) of India for Journal of EnvironmentalProtection.

fractals and finite difference. DrDimri has launched a very success-ful project in Nalgonda District ofA.P. for assessment, managementand exploration of groundwater inhard rock terrains for fluoride freewater supply.

DR V.P. Dimri, Director,National GeophysicalResearch Institute

(NGRI), Hyderabad, has receivedthe Chelikani Atchuta Rao Memorialcash award by Federation of AndhraPradesh Chambers of Commerceand Industry (FAPCCI) for theperiod 2005-06. Dr Dimri receivedthe award at the hands of the ChiefMinister of Andhra Pradesh Shri Y.S.Rajasekhara Reddy on8 June 2007.

The award has been institutedby Shri Late C.V. Sitaramaswamy,past president of FAPCCI forhonouring the outstanding scientistor engineer in the state for thebenefit of industry, trade andagriculture.

He received the award for hisoutstanding contributions togeophysical data analysis andinterpretation for a variety ofapplications in precursors toearthquakes, exploration of

30 august 2007 253 - · pdf filepathological product and also used ... from medicinal plants...

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