The government-run National Sugar Institute (NSI) has filed an application for patent rights for its innovative technique to develop bio-detergent from bagasse, the residue left after the extraction of juice from sugar cane.
NSI director Narendra Mohan said since no chemical was used in preparing the detergent powder from bagasse, it was safe for skin and environment because it did not discharge any harmful waste.
Besides, the detergent requires less water for washing clothes and is not harsh on fabric. One kilogram of bagasse detergent could be produced from raw material that costs just Rs 20, he told PTI here.
Bagasse has been used as biofuel for generating power at sugar factories and in building construction as a substitute for wood in many countries including India, China, Colombia, Iran, Thailand, and Argentina.
However, with the emergence of low-cost solar power, generating power through bagasse was no longer feasible.
"Many of the detergent producing companies have approached NSI for collaboration and adopting the technology. But we will collaborate only after getting the technique patent. We have applied for patent rights last week," Mohan said.
Use of bagasse for detergent has now provided a fresh option of earning, he said.
Assistant professor at NSI Vishnu Prabhakar Srivastava and research scholar Anushka Agarwal developed the technique after conducting laboratory tests at the institute over a period of seven months.
For every 10 tonne of sugarcane crushed, a sugar factory produces nearly three tonne of wet bagasse. Since bagasse is a byproduct of the cane sugar industry, the quantity of production is in line with the quantity of sugarcane produced.
In recognition of the new research, Srivastava, an assistant professor in organic chemistry at NSI, has been given 'Bhartiya Sugar Outstanding R&D Performance Award'.
The NSI director was conferred with the 'Bhartiya Sugar-Overall Outstanding Performance Award-Institutional Head' at the National Convention of the sugar industries in Kolhapur (Maharashtra) on July 28.
The nearly-century old institute carries out original research of significance and technology development at the cutting edge and imparts training to students to make them competent, motivated engineers and scientists.
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