Microbiology and Biotechnology

The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) is actively engaged in Microbiology and Biotechnology research as part of its mission to develop and validate classical Ayurvedic formulations through scientific methods. This research primarily focuses on the antimicrobial evaluation of Ayurvedic formulations, coded drugs, and single-plant extracts to establish their efficacy and safety. These studies are conducted across various peripheral research institutes under CCRAS, including Captain Srinivasa Murthy Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CSMCARI) in Chennai, Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI) in Kolkata, Regional Ayurveda Research Institute (RARI) in Jhansi, and Regional Ayurveda Research Institute (RARI) in Pune. The research activities in microbiology and biotechnology aim to explore herbal extracts, validate traditional therapeutic applications, standardize formulations, and assess their role in disease management. The mandate of the microbiology laboratories is to perform the QA/QC of the ASU drug raw materials and finished formulations produced by the in-house pharmacies and from external sources. All the microbiology labs are NABL-accredited and follow API guidelines to perform the QA/QC analysis that includes the Total Bacterial Count (TBC), Total Fungal Count (TFC), and the detection of four pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Salmonella spp.). The microbiology laboratories are equipped with state-of-the-art scientific instruments to perform microbiological assays on the drug samples and bring together the modern biological, biochemical, and biophysical techniques in the field of Ayurvedic Science.

So far, 02 microbiological research projects have been successfully completed, while 06 Intra Mural Research (IMR) projects are currently underway, further expanding the scope of scientific validation of Ayurvedic drugs. Additionally, CCRAS is focusing on modern biotechnological approaches, such as genomic and proteomic studies, to understand the molecular mechanisms behind Ayurvedic therapies. Future directions include developing herbal probiotics, studying microbiome interactions, and improving drug delivery systems to enhance the therapeutic potential of Ayurvedic medicines. Through microbiology and biotechnology, CCRAS is working towards bridging traditional Ayurvedic knowledge with modern scientific advancements, ensuring the global credibility and acceptance of Ayurveda in healthcare.

Core Objectives – The main objectives and goals.

The primary goal of CCRAS in Microbiology and Biotechnology is to enhance the credibility of Ayurveda through modern scientific approaches. The research aims to investigate the antimicrobial properties of Ayurvedic formulations, coded drugs, and medicinal plants; Develop evidence-based validation of traditional medicines; and conduct biotechnological studies to explore the molecular mechanisms of Ayurvedic therapies and establish standardized testing protocols for Ayurvedic formulations.

Peripheral Institutes Involved (in Microbiology and Biotechnology) – A pictorial representation on the Map of India highlighting the associated peripheral institutes.

Institutes Engaged in Microbiology and Biotechnology: 04 (Four)

1. Captain Srinivasa Murthy Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Chennai

Year of Establishment: 1963

2. Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Jhansi

Year of Establishment:

3. Central Ayurveda Research Institute, Kolkata

Year of Establishment: 1971

4. Regional Ayurveda Research Institute, Pune

Year of Establishment: 1961

Scientists Working :

Research Officer (Microbiology)

S.No.	Name & Designation (Specialization)	Area of expertise
1.	Dr. Susmita Roy, Research Officer (Microbiology) CARI-Kolkata E mail: susmita.roy@ccras.nic.in; roy740@gmail.com	Antimicrobial drug development, Antimicrobial resistance, Endophytes
2.	Dr. Swamy CT, Research Officer (Microbiology) CSMCARI, Chennai E mail: swamy.ct@ccras.nic.in; swamyct23@gmail.com	Bacteriology, PGPR, Antimicrobials, Lichen bacteriology, endophytes
3.	Dr. Smriti Tondon, Research Officer (Microbiology) CARI, Jhansi Email:Smriti.tandon@ccras.nic.in Smrititandon1991@gmail.com	Microbiology, Leishmaniasis, Antimicrobials, and Molecular Biology.
4.	Dr Hemant Soni Research Officer (Microbiology) CARI, Jhansi e-mail: Hemants@ccras.nic.in Hemant.ash@gmail.com	Fungal Bioactives, Microbial Enzymes, Prebiotics and Antimicrobials.

Assistant Research Officer (Biotechnology)

S.No.	Name & Designation (Specialization)	Area of expertise
1	Dr. Anurag Kumar, Assistant Research Officer (Biotechnology) RARI, Pune	Molecular & Biochemical studies on Ayurvedic plants and formulations
2	Dr. Gagandeep Singh, Assistant Research Officer (Biotechnology) CARI, Jhansi E mail:gagandeep@ccras.nic.in gsk.ccras@gmail.com	Biotechnology, Recombinant protein production, Computer-aided drug designing, Multi-Drug Resistance, and Antimicrobials.
3	Dr. Ravi Prakash Shaliwal, Assistant Research Officer (Biotechnology) CSMCARI, Chennai E mail: ravi.prakash@ccras.nic.in, ravi.u2050@gmail.com	Bacteriology, mycobacteriology, Virology with special reference to SARSCoV2, High throughput Screening of  antibacterials and antivirals, Molecular And immunological  Assays  For diagnosis of infectious diseases, metagenomics

Infrastructure and Facility-Based Information: Details of available infrastructure and facilities, including images of sophisticated instruments.

Microbiology Laboratory

Microbiology Laboratory: Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI), Jhansi

Microbiology Laboratory: Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CARI), Kolkata

Microbiology Laboratory: Captain Srinivasa Murthy Central Ayurveda Research Institute (CSMCARI), Chennai

Sophisticated instruments:

Accreditation/Certification/Recognition:

CARI Jhansi:  The microbiology section of CARI Jhansi is NABL accredited ISO/IEC 17025:2017 (Certificate number TC-11092) for selected parameters and government-approved Drug Testing Laboratory for all parameters as per the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, including microbial count and detection of specific microorganisms.

CSMCARI Chennai

The prime work of the Microbiology Department is to carry out the Microbial limit tests and shelf-life studies of drugs (raw materials/finished products) as per the Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia of India (API). This department is equipped with instruments such as an Air curtain, Sterile garment storage unit, pH meter, Analytical balance, Autoclaves, Laminar air flow, Biosafety cabinet, Bacterial incubators, BOD incubator, colony counter, Microscope, Environmental chamber, Microplate reader, cold centrifuge, PCR, Gel Doc, etc.

NABL accredits the Microbiology laboratory as per ISO 17025: 2017 and recognizes it as a Drug Testing Laboratory by the state Board. Extend the Microbial limit test service to the researchers conducting IMR and EMR research projects in the Institute and council. Actively involved in the CME programs conducted by the Institute and extending the microbiology knowledge to the participants. The six parameters mentioned in API, such as Total microbial plate count (TPC), Total Yeast and mould, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, are accredited to NABL and DTL. The Raw materials (06 parameters), Plant extracts (06 parameters), and Finished formulations (06 parameters) of Ayurvedic drugs are analysis per Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia of India.

The department works under Council allotted projects, CCRAS Intramural Research Projects, and other activities. The IMR research projects mainly focus on the antimicrobial activity of ayurvedic drugs and medicinal plants, Endophytic microbial diversity in medicinal plants and their derivatives, and molecular identification of microorganisms and other activities. The department personnel have published research papers in indexed journals, published several book chapters in books by reputed publishers, and participated in many seminars/workshops and scientific meetings.

CARI Kolkata

The Microbiology lab of CARI, Kolkata is NABL accredited in accordance with the standard ISO/IEC 17025:2017 since 29.09.2023. The certificate no. is TC-12344 and it is valid upto 28.09.2025. The scopes under accreditation are presence/ absence of E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, Salmonella sp in powdered ayurvedic drugs. The Microbiology lab routinely deals with Ayurvedic powdered drugs received from in-house Departments and other Institutes for testing of scope parameters. Apart from one Research Officer (Microbiology), one MTA with a Microbiology background performs all microbiological assays of this lab.

Research Projects:

List of projects Completed till date

Completed IMR Projects:

Project code	Project	Status
IMB0004	To investigate the inhibitory effect of various medicinal plants used in Ayurvedic system against dental caries causing micro-organisms. CARI, Jhansi	Completed
IMB0005	In-vitro Screening of plants/vegetables/fruits/herbs for their suitability as prebiotics	Completed

Ongoing IMR Projects:

Project code	Project	Status
IMB0001	Isolation and Identification of Endophytic Microorganisms form the Stem Barks used in Ayurveda (Panchavalkala) and Evaluation of their Anti-microbial, anti-oxidant and Antibiofilm activities	Ongoing
IMB0002	Antibacterial Activity of selective Ayurveda formulations against Gastrointestinal infection, Respiratory infection and Urinary Tract infection causing bacteria	Ongoing
IMB0003	Evaluation of antibacterial, anti-oxidant and immuno-modulatory properties of selected Ayurvedic formulations	Ongoing
IMB0006	Identification of potent anti-microbial compounds from medicinal plants against multi-drug resistant ESKAPE(E) bacteria isolated from different water sources in and around Jhansi district	Ongoing
IMB0007	Screening of various herbal/plant-based raw materials for fungal growth associated with Mycotoxin Contamination	Ongoing
IMB0008	Isolation, Identification, Characterization and in-vitro evaluation of the biological activities of Bacterial Endophytes from selected medicinal plants	Ongoing

Publications:

Ray AS, Pal T, Dhibar S, Das S, Sreelakshmi RS, Sen A. Immunological Responses to Foodborne Threats. Tanmay Sarkar Ahmed Hamad.:533.

Maurya RK, Boini T, Misro L, Radhakrishnan T, Gharat P, Swamy CT. Starch: Extraction, Identification, Modifications, and Commercial Uses. InLiquorice 2025 (pp. 54-77). CRC Press. Mohanta A, Pandey A, Chelladurai PK, Swamy CT. Secondary Metabolites: Extraction, Identification, and Commercial Uses. InLiquorice (pp. 78-103). CRC Press. Misro L, Radhakrishnan T, Boini T, Maurya RK, Rajeesh VR, Jeevan A, Swamy CT. Effect of Different Processing Methods on Specific Nutrients of Glycyrrhiza glabra L. InLiquorice (pp. 131-147). CRC Press.

Swamy, C.T. et al. (2025). Rye Fiber: Extraction, Identification Methods and Health Benefiting Features. In: Singh Purewal, S. (eds) Rye: Processing, Nutritional Profile and Commercial Uses. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-86613-5_5 Sharma HP, Chelladurai PK, Pandey A, Adhikari L, Swamy CT, Singh Purewal S. Effects of Rye Based Products in Health and Satiety. InRye: Processing, Nutritional Profile and Commercial Uses 2025 (pp. 179-207). Springer, Cham. Chelladurai, P.K. et al. (2025). Rye Phenolics: Extraction, Identification, Structure and Health Benefits. In: Singh Purewal, S. (eds) Rye: Processing, Nutritional Profile and Commercial Uses. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-86613-5_6