IIT Guwahati researchers develop pharmaceutical and food products from tea factory waste

Researchers from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati have developed pharmaceutical and food products from tea factory waste, according to officials.

As per a recent study, tea is one of most widely consumed beverages worldwide with world tea consumption reaching 6.3 million tonnes and is expected to rise to 7.4 million tonnes by 2025.

"This huge increase in tea consumption les to an increase in industrial tea waste generation which les to non-utilisation of valuable agricultural resources and deterioration of environment. Because of its high lignin and low inorganic content, efficient utilisation of tea industry wastes demands scientifically vanced techniques," said Mihir Kumar Purkait, Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati.

"dressing se waste utilisation and management issues becomes paramount as it aligns with sustainable practices and innovative solutions, ensuring both industrial growth and ecological preservation," he ded.

Purkait said in order to dress se issues, his team has carried out cutting age research on diversified application of tea factory waste to various pharmaceutical and foods products. se carbonaceous pharmaceutical materials form basis for a bro spectrum of application-based commodities.

findings of se studies have also been published in various international journals including International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Chemosphere, Critical Reviews in Biotechnology etc. This research has been carried out by Somnath Chanda, Prangan Duarah, and Banhisikha Debnath as a part of ir PhD sis work in Centre for Environment of IIT Guwahati.

" convenience and health benefits of catechin-based capsules open a promising avenue, offering users access to vantages of catechins without necessity of multiple cups of green tea. This caters to increasing demand for antioxidant-rich supplements in our daily routines.

" lignin-rich spent tea leaves are transformed into activated carbon through a specialised reactor. This involves a dual-step procedure: first, carbonisation, which converts lingo-cellulosic biomass into a carbon-rich matrix; n, activation, which creates a porous structure, enhancing sorption properties for wide range of applications that includes," he said.

Some of applications include -- food gre activated carbon as an alternative to syntic food colorant to impart blackish, hues; natural based mild abrasive material in toiletries such as tooth paste and body washes; low density and light weight pharma-gre and chemically inert carbon as a pharmaceutical ingredient in solid-dosage forms as diluents; non-selective sorptive properties of microporous carbon used in anti-pollution masks and as a deodorant in socks and use in packaging to prevent moisture assisted degration or spoilages.

" commercial potential of se products is substantial. For instance, demand for catechin based health supplements and organic preservatives are on rise among health-conscious consumers and food processing companies. immediate future plans for project involve vancing towards vanced pilot stage leing to imminent Transfer of Technology (ToT) phase to potential industry partners.

"se value-ded products not only enhance economic viability of tea cultivation but also encourages sustainable practices by reducing waste and promoting resource efficiency," Purkait said.