By Our Correspondent
Varanasi: The scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology (Banaras Hindu University) Varanasi are conducting a systematic scientific investigation of cow dung and urine with an overarching goal of developing sustainable products and utility items for the economic benefit of farmers. Recently their study entitled “Scientific characterization methods for better utilization of cattle dung and urine: a concise review” was published in the Tropical Animal Health and Production (Springer) journal.
The corresponding author and an Assistant Professor in the School of Biochemical Engineering, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, Dr. Abhishek Suresh Dhoble said that apart from milk, farmers can also get economic benefits from cow dung and urine. However, there is a lack of scientific studies in this area. We have compiled state-of-art information on current methods for the microbial and biochemical analysis of cow dung and urine and have identified gaps for future research, said Dr. Dhoble.
The scientists hope that the identification of active components will not only advance the knowledge in this domain but might also act as a platform molecule for future applications. Additionally, the systematic profiling of cow dung and urine might provide scientific evidence for various age-old, prevailing rural practices and might also pave the way for the development of commercially important utility products such as personal care products like dantamanjan, hair-oil, shampoos, conditioners etc.
Dr. Dhoble expressed his gratitude to the Director, IIT (BHU), Prof. Pramod Kumar Jain, for supporting the research activities and nurturing the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ – self-reliant India emphasizing on cow’s importance to the rural economy and doubling farmers income. Dr. Dhoble also showed gratitude to the Dean, Research and Development, Prof. Vikash Kumar Dubey (who is also the Coordinator of the School of Biochemical Engineering where this research is being carried out), for providing the resources and conducive environment to push forward the research in this important domain.
He informed that this research is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, under ‘Scientific Utilization through Research Augmentation-Prime Products from Indigenous Cows: SUTRA-PIC’ program. This study was carried out in collaboration with Dr. M. S. Mahesh, Animal Nutritionist at the Livestock Farm Complex, Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Rajiv Gandhi South Campus, Mirzapur and Dr. Sushil Kumar Yadav, Veterinarian at BITS Pilani along with Prof. Pratik N. Sheth, Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering, BITS Pilani. It also provided the learning experience and skillset to the younger investigators, research scholars, and junior research fellow who co-authored the study.
In the near future, the team plans to work with Mr. Sunil Mansinghka, Coordinator, GoVigyan Anusandhan Kendra, Deolapar (Nagpur), to prove the efficacy of the developed protocols for the systematic scientific investigation of the putative uniqueness of Indigenous cows.
Read more
UP has become a revenue surplus state, there is no shortage of money here, says CM Yogi
ATS cracks down on Rohingyas in UP, 74 illegal immigrants arrested
