The patent (No. 376260) has been granted for a period of 20 years in accordance with the provisions of the Patent’s Act

The Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana has been granted an Indian patent on ’Fermentation Process For Enhanced Glucose Production From Sweet Sorghum Bagasse Using Acidothermophilic Fungal Cellulases’ by the Indian Patent Office, Government of India, New Delhi. The patent (No. 376260) has been granted for a period of 20 years in accordance with the provisions of the Patent’s Act. This is the 15th Indian patent granted to PAU and second to the scientist, Dr S Kocher, Principal Microbiologist. The team also includes his doctorate student Ritika from the Department of Microbiology, PAU, Ludhiana and Dr HS Oberoi, Scientist, CIPHET, Ludhiana.

According to Dr Kocher, the present invention relates to a fermentation process for enhanced glucose production from sweet sorghum bagasse (SSB) using an acido-thermophilic cellulase consortium produced by Aspergillus fumigatus. Since the process uses thermophilic fungus, refrigeration during enzyme production and/ or hydrolysis is not needed which results in energy as well as cost-efficiency. Further, Dr Kocher stated that this invention is in line with the Biofuel Policy, 2018 of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, GoI, whereby higher emphasis has been laid on agricultural lignocellulosic residues as substrate (2G) for bioethanol production as more funding and incentives to startups have been provided.

Anirudh Tiwari, Vice-Chancellor, PAU, Dr NS Bains, Director of Research, Dr Jaskaran Singh Mahal, Director of Extension Education and Dean Post Graduate Studies, Dr Shammi Kapoor, Dean College of Basic Sciences, all ADRs; Dr AS Dhatt, Dr Gursahib Singh, Dr GS Mangat and Dr PPS Pannu congratulated Dr Kocher and his team for the noteworthy achievement.