This story is from July 6, 2020

Bengaluru: Institute makes herbal wash for germ-free veggies

With the spotlight now on an individual’s immunity and clean, chemical-free food thanks to the pandemic, city-based Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), a premier institute of Indian Council of Arricultural Research (ICAR), has devised an innovative technology called ‘Arka Herbi Wash’ which ensures fruits and vegetables are safe for consumption.
Bengaluru: Institute makes herbal wash for germ-free veggies
With a plan to commercialise the product in two weeks, the institute also plans to encourage entrepreneurship through its innovation.
BENGALURU: With the spotlight now on an individual’s immunity and clean, chemical-free food thanks to the pandemic, city-based Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), a premier institute of Indian Council of Arricultural Research (ICAR), has devised an innovative technology called ‘Arka Herbi Wash’ which ensures fruits and vegetables are safe for consumption.

Explaining about the allnatural technology, Dr MR Dinesh, director, ICAR-IIHR, Hesaraghatta, said his team analyses fruits and vegetables for years and were able to introduce ‘Arka Herbi Wash’ after almost five years of research.
“There is pesticidal residue on fruits and vegetables that need to be removed before consumption,” Dinesh said. “Just two grams of Arka Herbal Wash in one litre of water can clean one kilo of fruits and vegetables. Depending on the nature of the vegetables, 80% to 90% of residue can be removed in one wash. After another wash in fresh water, the products are clean,” he said. The research was conducted in the Food Safety Referral Laboratory (FSRL) of IIHR, Hesaraghatta.
Dr Debi Sharma, principal scientist and who is also in charge of FSRL, said: “The specialty of the innovation is that it is completely herbal, made with powdered plant parts and with its use, even slightly cooked or uncooked vegetables will be safe for consumption.”
With a plan to commercialise the product in two weeks, the institute also plans to encourage entrepreneurship through its innovation.
“We have many people asking about the product, and we can share the technology on a non-exclusive basis with a one-time down payment,” said Sharma. “Those interested can sign an MoU with us and produce the technology at offsite incubators. They will have to renew the licence every five years,” he said, adding this is an opportunity for people to become entrepreneurs in horticulture.

The IIHR has its main research station in Hesarghatta, Bengaluru, and two experimental stations at Bhubaneswar in Odisha and at Chettalli in Karnataka. It has two Krishi Vigyan Kendras, at Gonikoppal in Kodagu district and Hirehalli in Tumkuru. With focus on farmer-friendly innovations, the institute has in 53 years of research released 289 high yielding and disease resistant varieties in fruits (34), vegetables (131), flowers (111) and medicinal crops (13).
For details about ‘Arka Herbi Wash’, contact Dr B Narayanaswamy, principal scientist and media nodal officer, ICAR-IIHR on 080-23086100.
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