PAU finalises deal for pectin extraction tech

The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) has entered into a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with Singh Scientific and Research, Ludhiana, for the commercialisation of pectin extraction technology. Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research, PAU, and Parvinder Singh from the firm, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.

Dr GS Mangat, Additional Director of Research (Agriculture); Dr Mahesh Kumar, Additional Director of Research (Agri Engg); Dr Manjeet Singh, Dean, College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology; and Dr Khushdeep Dharni, Associate Director, Technology Marketing and IPR Cell, were present on the occasion.

Dr Dhatt congratulated Dr Tarsem Chand Mittal, Head, Department of Processing and Food Engineering, and Dr MS Alam, principal scientist, for commercialisation of the technology.

Dr Alam said that pectin finds wide application in the manufacturing of many food products like jams, jellies and preservatives due to its typical gelling, thickening, and stabilising properties. The pectin extraction technology, developed by PAU, deals with extraction process of pectin from kinnow and mosambi waste (peel), and pilot plant for the extraction of pectin, he said. “This plant can cater to 150 kg of fresh kinnow/mosambi peel per day for pectin production. The technology is a step towards the utilisation of waste generated as a result of processing of kinnow and mosambi. This batch-type plant is simple to operate, requires minimal manpower, and offers a profitable business opportunity for budding entrepreneurs,” he explained.