BBAU Researchers Develop Eco-Friendly Bioplastic from Cow Dung

Researchers at Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University have achieved a significant breakthrough in addressing plastic pollution by developing a low-cost biodegradable bioplastic using cow dung. The research was carried out by Dr. Ravi Kumar Gupta from the Department of Microbiology along with his PhD scholar Mr. Deshraj Deepak Kapoor. On this occasion, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Raj Kumar Mittal congratulated Dr. Ravi Kumar Gupta and Mr. Deshraj Deepak Kapoor and described their achievement as a matter of pride for the university.
Under the leadership of Dr. Ravi Kumar Gupta, the researchers discovered a new bacterium from a waste dumping site, which was used to produce a bioplastic called Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB). This bioplastic is not only durable and useful but also completely biodegradable, decomposing within just 50 days when buried in soil. The research has been published in the internationally reputed journal Bioresource Technology Reports, bringing global recognition to the university’s scientific achievements.
According to the researchers, conventional bioplastic production processes are highly expensive, whereas this new technology uses agricultural and animal waste, especially cow dung, as the base material. This has significantly reduced production costs, making the technology highly economical and indigenous. One of the most remarkable features of this research is its rapid biodegradation capability. While ordinary plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose, the PHB plastic developed through this technique completely degrades in soil within only 50 days.
Additionally, this research strongly supports the concepts of “Waste to Wealth” and “Circular Bioeconomy.” Developed through the combination of bacteria obtained from urban waste dumping sites and rural animal waste, this technology is being regarded as an important step toward environmental protection and sustainable development.

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