CHEMISTRY AND BIO-PROSPECTING DIVISION
Introduction:
Established in 1906 as one of the research Divisions of FRI, Chemistry Division has a very long and impressive record of carrying out research towards promotion and utilization of forest phyto-products which are the raw materials for development of essential oils, fragrance & flavors, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, fats & oils, tannins, natural dyes, biopesticides, gums & resins, starches, waxes, cellulosics, fibers and flosses, etc.; biomass residues from plantations, and forest based industries. The research, education and extension endeavors include
(i) chemical examination of these materials and study of their properties and constituents together with the development of suitable extraction methods on bench scale and pilot scale for their industrial utilization,
(ii) Refinement, upgradation and development of processes and products for enhancing the value chain of these materials,
(iii) teaching PG students and supervising Ph.D. scholars, PG Dissertations, and project trainees from FRI Deemed university and other outside organizations,
(iv) disseminating up to date scientific information and providing technical and consultancy services to the Government, State Forest Departments, industries, farmers, tree growers, NGOs, planning and development bodies and other stake holders,
(v) training of personnel from State Forest Departments, industry, academia, NGOs; farmers, tree growers, common man and other beneficiaries. Technologies developed by the Division have delivered the goods and services for socio-economic and ecological benefits.
Patents: 22
Research papers published: More than 800
Technologies commercialized: 25
Ph.D. awarded: 30
Research grant awards: MoEF&CC, DBT, DST, ICAR, NMPB, DSIR, UCOST and industries
Research liaison with a number of national and international laboratories.
Instrumentation facility: Head space / GC-MS, GLC-FID, HPLC, HPTLC, Gel Permeation Chromatograph, Viscometer, Polarimeter, Refractometer, UV-VIS Spectrophotometer, Refrigerated Centrifuge, Chemical Reactor, Spinning Band Distillation Unit, Lyophilizer, Bench top UV Spectrophotometer, Perspirometer, Light fastness tester, Crockmeter. Laundrometer.