Research Projects

Conventional methods of measurement of the concentration or the total amount of the important bioactive molecules in plants are complex, require skilled manpower and involve expensive instruments based on chromatography and mass spectrometry. In the present proposal, sensing systems based on NIR/Raman spectroscopy will be developed for the assessment of flavanoids in black rice and gingerols in ginger and to estimate the content of aroma components in the Elsholtzia griffithii and Cinnamomum zeylanicum. The plants have been chosen for their significant economic contribution in north-east India. The portable and battery-operated sensing systems may be utilized for wider deployment over several geographical regions and the methodology of development of the sensing systems may be extended to other crops. Imported expensive instruments are available, but indigenization of this technology would be cost-effective and is in line with the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” movement.

Evaluation of bioactive compounds with various therapeutic properties in black rice, ginger, Elsholtzia griffithii, and Cinnamomum zeylanicum using different spectroscopy and infrared technologies, such as cyanidin-3-glucoside, gingerol, citral, and cinnamaldehyde, respectively. Development of a low-cost, portable NIR spectrometer for rapid detection of chemical compound concentrations in medicinal plants and spices that is environmentally friendly and non-invasive. Development of a sensing system using near-infrared spectroscopic technique and a chemometric model for quantifying Citral from Elsholtzia griffithii and Cinnamaldehyde from Cinnamomum zeylanicum.