Lab-Produced Shilajit: Uttarakhand Businessman Blends Age-Old Knowledge with Contemporary Technology
Shilajit, a traditional Ayurvedic substance, has been a subject of interest for centuries due to its numerous health benefits. However, concerns surrounding its scarcity and authenticity have limited its accessibility in healthcare. That is, until Anuja Duklan's innovative breakthrough.
Duklan, a renowned scientist, has been awarded a patent (Patent Grant Number: 560598) for her pioneering work in the "Application of Bioengineering Processes for Manufacturing Shilajit from the Latex of Euphorbia royleana Plants". This groundbreaking invention has eliminated the scarcity and authenticity concerns, making healthcare more affordable and accessible.
Duklan and her team devised a bioengineering process to replicate the natural formation of Shilajit in a laboratory setting. Euphorbia royleana, locally known as Surai in Uttarakhand, is the plant found in areas where Shilajit forms naturally. The team harvested and processed this plant, introducing specific microbial strains to facilitate the breakdown and biochemical transformation of the plant resins.
Throughout the process, factors such as temperature, pH, humidity, and oxygen levels were tightly regulated to optimize the rate of transformation and mimic natural geological timescales, significantly accelerating the process from centuries to weeks or months. Post-fermentation, the bioengineered Shilajit underwent extraction, filtration, and purification steps to concentrate key bioactive molecules and remove impurities, resulting in a standardized product with consistent potency.
This laboratory-synthesized Shilajit maintains the same chemical structure and potency as traditional forms, as confirmed through independent assessments. It has been tested in NABL Accredited National Test Laboratories, including CSIR, IICT Hyderabad, NIFTEM, Sonipat, and Arbro Pharmaceutical Private Limited, New Delhi.
The benefits of this innovation compared to traditional methods are numerous. Time efficiency is one significant advantage, with bioengineering producing a comparable substance within weeks or months, compared to decades or centuries for natural Shilajit formation. Controlled quality and purity are also ensured, with precise control over contaminant levels and consistent concentrations of active compounds.
The lab process is also more sustainable, using renewable plant material and controlled microbial processes, reducing environmental impact. It is scalable to meet commercial demand without overexploiting natural Shilajit deposits, which are limited and geographically restricted. Furthermore, the biochemical profile of lab-produced Shilajit can potentially be optimized or tailored to enhance desired health benefits.
Shilajit, whether traditional or bioengineered, contains fulvic acid, humic acid, minerals, and antioxidants and is reputed for its numerous health benefits, including enhancing energy production, improving cognitive function, supporting immune health, promoting anti-aging, supporting nutrient absorption, and detoxification. Bioengineered Shilajit aims to replicate these benefits with added assurance of safety, consistency, and sustainability.
Duklan's innovation has earned multiple awards and grants, including the Bio Asia Young Mind Award, BIRAC-TIE WINNER Award, a grant from the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, a grant from the Government of India, and a grant from Land Accelerator, South Asia. Moreover, her work promotes sustainable agroforestry practices by cultivating Euphorbia royleana, contributing to climate-resilient agroforestry in Uttarakhand, which contributes to carbon sequestration and sustainable agriculture.
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