Baleshwar: The Baleshwar coast is known for its scenic beauty and tourism, but its rich marine biodiversity may also offer potential for future pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. Marine microalgae collected from Talasari in Baleshwar and other locations along Odisha’s coast are being studied for their potential antimicrobial, antioxidant and ultraviolet (UV)-protective properties.
Researchers have identified 58 types of microalgae collected from various locations along the state’s approximately 480-km coastline, from Talasari to Gopalpur in Ganjam district. The research is being conducted by the Department of Biotechnology at Maharaja Sriram Chandra Bhanja Deo University in Baripada. Scientists are studying natural pigments and UV-absorbing compounds found in the microorganisms, with a particular focus on their possible use in natural sunscreens, skin-protection products and other cosmetic formulations.
Researchers are also examining antioxidant compounds in the microalgae for their potential role in reducing oxidative stress in biological systems. At the same time, the study is exploring bioactive compounds that could have potential applications in cancer research and future drug development. Researchers, however, caution that it is too early to describe the algae as a cure or treatment for cancer. The ongoing work is focused on identifying bioactive compounds with possible medicinal properties. Any potential therapeutic application would require further laboratory research, preclinical testing and clinical trials.
The microalgae collected from different locations along Odisha’s coastline are being cultured, preserved and maintained at the Algal Repository of the university’s Department of Biotechnology in Baripada. The research is being conducted under the supervision of Professor Biswajit Rath, with PhD researchers Satyabrata Dash and Sabyasachi Parida involved in the study. The findings could open avenues for further research into marine resources for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic and biotechnology applications. Further scientific validation will be needed to determine whether the compounds can eventually be developed into commercial or therapeutic products.
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