Research and Development forms an integral part of the Microcore's vision and strategy. Our scientists and technicians in the R&D group develop new process, metabolite, improved enzymes and proprietary technologies in order to maintain our competitive edge. The R&D comprises specialists in molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, food chemistry and biotechnology. The R&D group works in close contact with the business unit managers, our production partner and the IP management. We protect our innovations by patenting before publishing. We strive towards discovery of novel metabolites from microbial sources that possess great therapeutic value to be used as pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic and food products. We also hold vision to develop advanced technology for the production of cellulosic and lignocellulose ethanol from Indian agro waste.
Microcore envisions in converting agricultural waste into high value products. A high fiber diet is advantageous to human life and it reduces the risk of colon and rectal cancer and high cholesterol levels. Microcore has spent nearly one and half years to screen large variety of agro wastes such as husk, hulls, bran, straw, pod, and leaf as inexpensive source of renewable cellulose and lignocelluloses biomass for the production of dietary fibers. The research has led to development of cost effective and economic process for the production of soluble and insoluble dietary fibers. The developed process is a novel organic route to produce food grade dietary fibers. We have been actively involved in building an in house of dietary fiber database that would include information on soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF). Microcore has registered process patent with government of India patent office Application No.3280/CHE/2008.
Production of biofuels from agro-wastes to contribute towards the current global energy concerns. Our R&D team is involved in the development of simultaneous scarification and fermentation (SSF) process which requires lower capital investment and reduces operating costs. The process involves enzyme-base pretreatment using a combination of specialty enzymes followed by fermentation of cellulosic fibers. A pilot plant setup to build an assessment of the technology is foreseen in the future.
Development of a novel bioprocess for production of Butyl hydroxyl toluene (BHT), 2,4-Di-Tert-Butyl Phenol, Benzoic acid, 4 ethoxy ethyl ether with strong pineapple aroma from non- lactose fermenting Lactobacilli sp that produces. This is a unique approach to address the enormous demand for BHT as an anti-oxidant in various product formulations and to overcome the difficulties of toxic side product formation in the currently used synthetic methods in the industry, recently BHT has been employed in increasing the storage stability of biodiesel Compared to mineral fuels.
Caffeine degrading enzymes are an industrial requirement. Microbial species such as Rhizopus, Aspergillus, Streptomyces and Bacterial species are capable producers of de-methylase and caffeine oxidase. Microcore has isolated few such microbes and is involved in improving yields of enzyme production.
Isolated Aspergillus species that has dual lypolytic activity - lipase and phospholipase A2. Currently bioprocess development to increase enzyme activities is in progress.
Our team is also working on separation and purification of pharma grade Dextran from Leucosnostoc species that is capable of dextran polymer production.
Developed miniaturized screening methods to identify list of Lipase inhibitors produced from GRAS microorganism.
We explore and developed advanced Gasification process technologies for the production of clean fuel for industrial applications.
Our R&D tem is Keen and carrying continues efforts to isolate novel oleaginous fungi for omega three and six poly unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) production. With the world-wide problems of obesity, high cholesterol and cardio-vascular diseases, the use of PUFA as a supplement to saturated fatty acids has increased. Microcore plans to isolate strains that can produce PUFA via fermentation and purify it for use in food products. We are presently identifying the most potent microbial source that can be used to develop commercially feasible technologies. Process development and purification of PUFA is currently under progress.
