Research Papers

From lab to supplements: Microalgae in the nutraceutical industry

Kaur Mehak , Kusum, Goel Mayurika
| 2026

There is a growing need for sustainable food alternatives to address the inadequacy of traditional food crops in meeting nutritional demands. Microalgae have come across as a promising solution owing to their capacity for providing both nutrition and health benefits while offering environmental advantages. This chapter delves into recent innovations in microalgal processing for nutraceutical applications while addressing safety concerns and identifying the current market outlook.

Exploring the rainbow of filamentous fungal pigments: a comprehensive patent and global market analysis (2004–2024)

Kaur Mehak , Peshwani Hishita , Uniyal Prem L., Barrow Colin J., Goel Mayurika
| 2026

Colour plays a crucial role in human expression and existence through its presence in food, textiles, cosmetics and other industries. Synthetic petroleum-based pigments were initially well-received but are currently out of favour due to their non-renewable nature and the push for sustainable options. Among natural reservoirs of pigments, microbial sources are desirable for their rich genetic and chemical diversity. Filamentous fungi are particular useful for colour production.

AI for Restoring Degraded Lands: Mapping Degradation, Predicting Climate Risk and Valuing Ecosystem Services

Ghosh Sayanta , Sharma Jitendra Vir
| 2026

Land degradation is a major global challenge, with up to 40% of the world's land estimated to be degraded, affecting more than 3 billion people and weakening food security, biodiversity, climate resilience and ecosystem services. In this context, the objective of this review is to examine how artificial intelligence (AI), remote sensing and geospatial analytics can support land restoration by integrating three connected domains: land degradation mapping, climate-risk prediction and ecosystem service valuation.

Solar threads and social knots: Gender and energy transitions in the weaving community of Varanasi, India

Murali Rashmi, Govindan Mini
| 2025

India's renewable energy transition presents an opportunity for transformative social change, especially in advancing gender equality and inclusion. This paper examines the Sustainable Energy in Micro-enterprises for Income & Livelihood Enhancement (SMILE) program, led by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), which introduced low-carbon energy solutions into micro-enterprises, focusing on the silk weaving cluster in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Omics-Based Exploration of Potential Soil Microorganisms for Sustaining the Productivity of Soybean: Prospects and Challenges

Bundela Vindhya , Ranjan Prem , Saini Neha , Ramesh Aketi, Pandey Komal , Das Paramita , Jakhar Geetanjali , Das Subhasis, Sharma Mahaveer P.
| 2026

Root-associated microbial communities play a pivotal role in enhancing soybean productivity, particularly under adverse climatic conditions. These microbes are integral to a range of critical processes, including nutrient acquisition, disease suppression, phytohormone synthesis, and conferring tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Advances in omics technologies have unveiled the profound significance of unculturable rhizomicrobial niches, reshaping our perception of their contributions to modern soybean production.

In-situ bio-stimulation for enhanced biological methane production and its effect on the microbiome of CBM wells in Raniganj block, India

Chawla Mansi , Lavania Meeta , Sahu Nishi , Banerjee Dipanjana , Singh Nimmi, Lal Banwari
| 2025

Microbially enhanced coalbed methane production (MeCBM) is a way towards translation of the recent momentum of the high demand for renewable energy into operational capacity. The present study demonstrates the enhancement of biogenic methane in coalbed methane (CBM) wells of an Indian coal reservoir via in-situ biostimulation. A laboratory-scale strategy was previously developed to understand and enhance the microbial processes for the bioconversion of coal to methane before transferring it to the field.

Study of occurrence, abundance, and characterization of microplastics in wastewater treatment plant in New Delhi, India

Bisht Heena, Maurya Ankita C., Channashettar Veeranna, Jeyaseelan C. Paul, Siddhanta Soumik, Lal Banwari, Khare Sunil K., Kuppanan Nanthakumar
| 2025

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are considered the most significant contributors to microplastic (MP) pollution in aquatic ecosystems. MPs are defined as plastic particles less than 5 mm in size that are difficult to remove by WWTPs, posing risks to aquatic life, human health, and the overall ecosystem. This study investigates the prevalence of MPs in influent wastewater, treated effluent water, and sludge from WWTP. The samples were collected from Keshopur WWTP in New Delhi, whose effluents flows into the Yamuna River via Najafgarh drain.

Artificial intelligence for restoring land: A review of land degradation mapping, climate change prediction and ecosystem service valuation

Ghosh Sayanta, Sharma Jitendra Vir
| 2026

Land degradation, climate change, and declining ecosystem services are increasingly interconnected challenges that threaten ecological integrity, agricultural productivity, and livelihood security across vulnerable landscapes. At the same time, advances in artificial intelligence (AI), remote sensing, geospatial analytics, and large environmental datasets are reshaping the way these challenges can be assessed, predicted, and managed.

Future trends in short-duration rainfall: A statistical analysis using bias-corrected GCM ensembles

Singh Prasoon , Sinha Vinay S. P. , Muriki Santosh K.
| 2026

High-intensity, short-duration rainfall can cause significant losses. These events are influenced by intricate and interrelated hydro-climatic interactions that are being modified due to climate change. These alternations in rainfall need to be accounted for in future development and design of hydrological systems. Climate model projections have been the primary tools for providing crucial information about the future climate.

Microplastic Pollution in a Tropical River–Mangrove System of the Brahmani River in Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha (India)

Kumar, R., Das, M. M., Das, S., Verma, A., Valsan, G., Tamrakar, A., Warrier, A. K., Lamba, J., & Sharma, P.
| 2026

Microplastics (MPs), recognised as emerging contaminants, are increasingly prevalent in riverine ecosystems due to escalating anthropogenic activities. River deltas, which typically serve as ecologically rich and pristine habitats, are now under threat from solid and liquid waste inputs, particularly in rivers flowing through urban and agricultural landscapes. This research investigates MP contamination in sediments of the Brahmani River within the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha (India), encompassing both mangrove and non-mangrove sites.