IIT Guwahati and K.N. Bioscience Sign MoU for Sustainable C-Phycocyanin Production

In a significant move towards commercializing sustainable biotechnology, the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati has partnered with K.N. Bioscience (India) Pvt. Ltd. for large-scale production of C-Phycocyanin from Spirulina biomass. The agreement was formalized on 18th February 2025.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Prof. Rohit Sinha, Dean of Research & Development at IIT Guwahati, and Mrs. Sudha Reddy, Founder and Managing Director of K.N. Bioscience, with the presence of Prof. Debasish Das, the lead scientist behind the technology.

Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati, emphasized the institution’s commitment to advancing research with real-world applications. He noted that the technology transfer was a step towards strengthening India's bioeconomy and achieving self-reliance in biotechnology.

C-Phycocyanin, a natural blue pigment from Spirulina, has applications in various industries. It is used as a food colorant, a pharmaceutical compound with anti-inflammatory properties, a fluorescent marker in diagnostics, a cosmetic ingredient, and a protein supplement for aquaculture and poultry.

Despite its potential, widespread adoption of C-Phycocyanin is hindered by high production costs. IIT Guwahati researchers have developed a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable method for its extraction. Their approach enhances cultivation efficiency and streamlines purification, making the process more energy-efficient and scalable.

The methodology focuses on improving Spirulina biomass yield and intracellular phycocyanin concentration. The extraction and purification processes employ a solvent-free, eco-friendly approach, achieving high yields with single-step purification to analytical purity.

Prof. Debasish Das highlighted that the technology removes economic and technological barriers, ensuring affordability and accessibility. He noted that this was the first transfer of an indigenously developed phycocyanin technology to an Indian company, marking a milestone in biotechnology.

The innovation is expected to boost India's biotechnology sector, create jobs, and establish the country as a key exporter. Mrs. Sudha Reddy acknowledged the commercial viability of the technology and its role in sustainability.

The technology has been successfully tested in various experimental stages, and a patent has been granted for the downstream process. The Technology Readiness Level currently stands at 6, indicating near-commercial viability.

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