Visakhapatnam :

A project to develop an economically viable method to extract citric acid from ippa or mahua (Madhuca indica) flowers has been sanctioned by the Department of Science and Technology of the Union Government, according to a press release issued by Gitam University.

The principal investigator for the project is an assistant professor in the biotechnology department of the university, R. Gopinath. Ippa or mahua flower has been chosen as it is abundantly available in the agency (tribal) areas of the district and is also endemic in tropical mixed deciduous forests in the country.

The project will try and develop an economically viable extraction process using fermentation technique to produce the citric acid from Maduca indica.

Mahua is rich in non-edible oils with large production potential of about 60 million tonnes a year in India. Its flowers and fruits are edible and sweet.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> News> Science / by The Hindu Bureau   sarma.rs@thehindu.co.in / Visakhapatnam – January 08th, 2014