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HomePosts Tagged "COVID-19"
Agro Universities, Horticulture, R&D, World

The vaccine was initially plant-based, but it has been tested on volunteers and animals at the Research Centre for Standardisation of Medicinal Forms of the Pharmaceutical Institute in Tashkent

Scientists in Uzbekistan have developed an edible COVID-19 vaccine called TOMAVAC made from tomatoes. According to a report on the Frontiers research journal website, the researchers used special vectors to insert a fragment of the gene that encodes the S1 antigenic protein of the coronavirus into the genome of tomato cells. They obtained a tomato plant that could reproduce the S1 antigenic protein from these cells. The fruits of these plants were used to create the TOMAVAC vaccine, which provides two levels of protection against COVID-19.

The vaccine was initially plant-based, but it has been tested on volunteers and animals at the Research Centre for Standardisation of Medicinal Forms of the Pharmaceutical Institute in Tashkent. The institutional ethics board of the Centre for Genomics and Bioinformatics approved the research. Scientists have been working on this vaccine since January 2021 and the results are quite promising.

According to Frontiers research journal, the initial findings from a small-scale proof-of-concept study show great potential for creating an affordable, environmentally friendly, and harmless edible plant-based COVID-19 vaccine. This could potentially offer long-lasting dual protection against the virus, reducing its spread and severity, and ultimately contributing to better global health.

The vaccine was initially plant-based, but it

Europe, Horticulture, North America, Supply Chain, Trade

The resurgence of international travel has played a significant role in opening up new markets for durian

Agroforestry Group announced a remarkable surge in business across North America, Europe, and Africa. This growth is propelled by the resurgence of international travel, mounting consumer interest, and businesses seeking innovative selling propositions.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for durian primarily originated from the Asia-Pacific region. Domestically, Malaysia led the way, followed by Singapore, Hong Kong, and China. While these countries remain crucial markets for the company, Agroforestry Group has witnessed a surge of inquiries from new markets, indicating a significant expansion in interest.

Paul Martin, Managing Director of Agroforestry Group, stated, “The surge in enquiries from new markets, particularly North America, Europe and Africa, has been staggering. The unexpected volume of interest from these regions was almost non-existent before the pandemic.”

The resurgence of international travel has played a significant role in opening up new markets for durian. Tourists visiting Asia inevitably encounter durian in various forms, as durian products are widely available throughout the region, both in Malaysia and other countries. Notably, The United Nations World Tourism Agency (UNWTO) reports a remarkable 200 per cent year-on-year surge in international tourism, with travel figures reaching 80 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in Q1 2023.

The post-pandemic shift in consumer and business sentiment in new markets has emerged as a significant driving force. Consumers have become more curious and adventurous, eager to explore diverse products and experiences. In response, businesses are strategically catering to this evolving consumer landscape, offering unique and innovative products. As a result, durian has been gaining traction internationally, with F&B companies introducing it in North America, Europe, and even Africa.

The resurgence of international travel has played

Animal Health, Live Stock

The Kit is made in India and a patent has been filed for the same

Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar has launched Animal Vaccine and other Diagnostic Kits developed by the ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, Haryana on June 9, 2022.

The Ancovax Vaccine on Equines is an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Delta (COVID-19) Vaccine for Animals. The immunity induced by Ancovax neutralises both Delta and Omicron Variants of SARS-CoV-2. The Vaccine contains inactivated SARS-CoV-2 (Delta) antigen with Alhydrogel as an adjuvant. It is safe for dogs, lions, leopards, mice and rabbits.

“The Council’s scientists’ unparalleled contributions have made the country succeed not only in essential crops’ production; but, in the various fields of agricultural and allied sciences as well at the global level”, said Tomar, after launching the vaccine through video conferencing. “It is due to the untiring contributions of Scientists that the country stands self-reliant in developing its own Vaccines more rather than importing. This is really a big achievement”, he added.

The diagnostic kits launched today include CAN-CoV-2 ELISA Kit. It is a sensitive and specific nucleocapsid protein based indirect ELISA Kit for antibody detection against SARS-CoV-2 in Canines. There are no laboratory animals required for the preparation of the antigens. The Kit is made in India and a patent has been filed for the same. No other comparable kits for detection of antibodies in Canines are available in the market.

The Surra ELISA Kit is a suitable Diagnostic Assay for Trypanosoma evansi infection in multiple animal species.

The Equine DNA Parentage Testing Kit is a powerful genomic technology for parentage analysis. The Parentage among the Horses can be definitely established using Multiplex PCR Technology to compare allele sizes.

The Kit is made in India and

Company News

New Synergize RTU disinfectant removes the need to mix, saving producers time and eliminating the need to handle the concentrated product

NEOGEN Corporation has recently announced that it has added a ready-to-use formulation of their Synergize disinfectant to their biosecurity portfolio.

Synergize RTU is a new formulation of the company’s Synergize disinfectant that has been trusted by producers for over 20 years. The disinfectant and deodoriser require no mixing, eliminating several steps that were required to use the concentrated product, saving users both time and money spent on the personal protective equipment items required to handle the concentrate.

“At NEOGEN, we always want to offer solutions that make the process of enhancing animal safety as easy and cost-effective as possible,” said John Adent, NEOGEN’s President and CEO.

Synergize RTU is a non-corrosive, combination ammonium and glutaraldehyde multi-purpose disinfectant that kills both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, fungi, and viruses, including the viruses that cause avian influenza and COVID-19. It can be applied with a cloth, sponge, mop, or mechanical coarse spray device.

NEOGEN’s comprehensive suite of bio-security products, including sanitisers, apparel, cleaners, and disinfectants, were primarily developed for use in NEOGEN’s agricultural markets, but many are useful in preventing the spread of disease .

New Synergize RTU disinfectant removes the need