The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has partnered with K.N. Bioscience (India) Pvt. Ltd. for the large-scale commercialisation of C-Phycocyanin production, a natural blue pigment derived from Spirulina. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on February 18, with Prof. Rohit Sinha, Dean of Research & Development at IIT Guwahati, and Sudha Reddy, Founder and Managing Director of K.N. Bioscience, formalizing the agreement. Prof. Debasish Das, the lead scientist behind the technology and a professor in IIT Guwahati’s Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, explained that the innovation ensures affordable, high-purity C-Phycocyanin production. “Our technology eliminates the economic and technical barriers to utilizing microalgae-derived products. Industries can now replace synthetic additives with sustainable alternatives,” he stated.
C-Phycocyanin, extracted from Spirulina, has applications in food, nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and diagnostics. It can be used as a natural blue food dye, a nutraceutical with anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties, and even as a protein-rich aquafeed. However, its adoption has been limited by high production costs and inefficient extraction processes. The technology developed by IIT Guwahati addresses these challenges with a green, solvent-free extraction and purification process. By enhancing Spirulina cultivation and optimizing intracellular pigment yields, the process reduces energy and time requirements. A single-step purification method ensures high-purity pigment extraction in a shorter duration.
Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati, highlighted the institute’s mission to create real-world impact through innovation. “This technology transfer marks a significant step in building a bioeconomy that supports India’s self-reliance in biotechnology,” he said. Sudha Reddy of K.N. Bioscience lauded the breakthrough, stating, “With low-cost production, sustainable processing, and high-yield output, this technology has the potential to transform multiple industries. Its ability to utilize carbon dioxide in the process also supports environmental sustainability.”