IIT Guwahati along with KN Bioscience for cost-effective C-Phycocyanin production

guwahati: indian institute of technology (iit) guwahati has signed a significant memorandum of understanding (mou) with k.n. bioscience (india) pvt. ltd. on 18th february 2025 to commercialize a new technology for large-scale production of c-phycocyanin from spirulina biomass. this breakthrough promises to revolutionize the biotechnology industry by offering a sustainable, cost-effective solution to produce the natural blue pigment, c-phycocyanin.the technology, developed by iit guwahati researchers, addresses challenges in production costs and inefficiencies in extraction. it utilizes a green process that eliminates harmful chemicals and enhances environmental sustainability. by improving spirulina biomass yield and intracellular phycocyanin concentrations, the process delivers high yields in a shorter duration.c-phycocyanin has various applications in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and aquaculture. it is used as a natural colorant, a nutraceutical, and a diagnostic marker. the new technology allows for high-purity extraction and single-step purification, making it commercially viable.this collaboration marks a significant milestone for india's biotechnology sector, creating new industry opportunities, job growth, and supporting the country's bioeconomy goals. the process has shown promising results at experimental scales, with a patent granted for the downstream extraction and purification process.