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Malnutrition is the consequence of increasing population and poverty accompanied by decreasing agricultural land area and nutrient rich food production. Survey data reflects that in India, 14.5 % of the population is undernourished. Among different types of malnutrition, the most important is protein-energy malnutrition (PEM). Proteins are considered as building blocks of life essential for growth and development, especially in children, teens and pregnant women. To address this issue, the proposed project will have following objectives:

1) Culturing and selection of algal strain approved for human consumption like spirulina

2) Pilot scale cultivation of spirulina and determination of nutritive properties

3) Processing and formulation of spirulina supplement to enhance the shelf life and palatability

4) Testing and user trial in malnourished population

In order to cope up with malnutrition, the Indian Government has launched several schemes such as Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), National Health Mission (NHM), Mid-Day Meal Scheme, etc. The problem of malnutrition is very severe in tribal regions, such as Melghat of Maharashtra. Hence, there is need to develop a potential food product that could efficiently deal with the existing problem of PEM prevailing in our country. Spirulina is a helical filamentous cyanobacterium containing >50% protein. It is also rich in vitamin and minerals like copper, iron, magnesium, potassium and manganese. It is effective against anemia, which is widely associated with malnutrition. Besides, spirulina is also shown to exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Most importantly, it is approved for food as well as feed use and the grades are specified by the BIS 13398 and BIS 12895 respectively. Further, growing spirulina is very easy as it is photoautotrophic and requires only cheap inorganic salts as nutrients. Therefore, supplementation of protein rich Spirulina biomass can be one of the effective remedial steps towards eradication of protein energy malnutrition.

The PI has undertaken spirulina production and supplementation study in the past in Panchnagon village, Nagpur. The current TRL level is TRL 3.

1) Spirulina culture with optimum nutrient profile

2) Optimum growth parameters for the spirulina culture

3) Cultivation and formulation of spirulina food supplement

4) User trial in malnourished population

One gram of Spirulina is said to be as nutritious as 100 g of spinach or carrots. Upon consumption, it improves physical growth as well as cognitive development. It also improves immunity. Spirulina production can be carried on barren or waste degraded land. Water requirement is ten times low than most crops. The spirulina cultivation facility is also easy to operate and maintain. Thus, it can be an effective concentrated supplement to combat malnutrition.

The PI has expertise on spirulina protein production and supplementation, and he will execute the activity. However, the civil and related work for spirulina cultivation must be outsourced.