Professor Dr. Muhammad Riaz of (SA-CIRBS), International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), has been awarded a prestigious Technology Development Grant of Rs. 13.99 million by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for his groundbreaking project, “Process Development for the Pilot Scale Production of Curcumin and Curcuminoids from Local Turmeric.”
Dr. Riaz aims to develop the technology for local production and enhance it to benefit Pakistan’s industry.
Curcumin is a bioactive compound with diverse medicinal applications, including treating and preventing diseases such as cancer, inflammation, neurological and cardiovascular disorders, tissue and bone repair, skin rejuvenation, and anti-aging. With a growing global demand exceeding $100 million and a projected annual growth rate of 22%, curcumin presents a lucrative opportunity for Pakistan to establish itself in the value-added export market.
Dr. Riaz began his research on curcumin in 2000, achieving significant breakthroughs over the years. He successfully developed a method to extract curcumin and curcuminoids from indigenous Curcuma longa (local turmeric). Additionally, he designed an extended biosynthetic process using another Pakistani medicinal plant, which led to the discovery of 11 new natural products. Among these, four novel compounds exhibit structural similarities to clinically approved drugs. These advancements were made possible through synthetic biology and the development of innovative biosynthetic pathways.
Dr. Riaz told that the innovative process, which utilizes natural amino acids as core structures coupled with functionalized heterocycles, has shown that these novel molecules are absent in natural biosynthetic processes, marking a significant leap in synthetic biology.
The HEC grant will enable the pilot-scale production of curcumin and curcuminoids, paving the way for numerous benefits. It will enhance the training and capacity building of SA-CIRBS students, improve the livelihoods of farmers through higher-value crop utilization, and promote industrial growth by enabling partnerships with international industries. Additionally, it will contribute to environmental sustainability by supporting local agriculture and reducing urban migration, he said.
Dr. Riaz expressed his gratitude to the HEC for recognizing the potential of this project, which promises to bolster Pakistan’s economy, exports, and technological capabilities while uplifting the socioeconomic status of farming communities.