During 11th five year period this group is in the process of developing 350 bar pressure rated high pressure retainable water sampler, high pressure low temperature serial dilution and fermentor system. Using this experience it is proposed to design 600 bar pressure rated instruments to explore deep sea microbes

Metagenomic technology tries to overcome this bottleneck by the development and utilization of culture independent approaches. In metagenomics the power of genomic analysis (the entire DNA in an organism) is applied to entire communities of microbes, bypassing the need to isolate and culture individual microbial species and thus provides a relatively unbiased sampling of a vast untapped genetic diversity that is present in various microenvironments. An additional advantage is that the genes that encode biosynthesis of product of interest can be isolated and analyzed using bioinformatics tools.

The proposed research will provide descriptive information about the diversity of organisms in an extreme environmental condition (deep sea) with great through put to utilize even uncultivable microbes for various novel and useful products discovery. Isolation of barotolerant gene from deep sea samples will give a background idea for presence of such microbes in particular environmental niches and thus the same can be used as supporting information for isolating microbes (cultivable if any) from same environmental niches.

A few major challenges confronting the algal nutraceutical industry are the mass production of marine microalgae including the search for an ideal microalgal species, determining less energy intensive methods for the extraction of products from microalgae and reducing the high unit cost of biomass production from microalgae. Hence this project will aim to rectify these problems for the production of omega three fatty acids and astaxanthin from marine algae. Similarly, availability of resources for biocrude and bioplastics in marine environment, especially from macroalgae is not explored fully.

Meeting Ballast water performance of IMO standards will require development of suitable technologies to evaluate it according to the criteria prescribed by the IMO. Such verification facilities are very much in demand in India.

a) Objectives

1. Development of technology for collection, isolation and characterization of deep sea barotolerant and barophilic bacteria and their mass culture.
2. Identification of novel biomolecules and genes through metagenomics approach
3. Collection and isolation of lutein accumulating microalgal strains from marine environment.
4. Mass culture of the prospective candidate species for the production of lutein.
5. Development of newer materials and nanoparticles with antifouling property.
6. Testing ballast water, validation and certification of ballast water treatment systems
7. Anti-biofouling measures through plasma pulse field generation for inactivation of biofilm forming bacteria.
8. Development of a complete package of breeding, larval rearing, seed production and demonstration of fin fish culture at open sea cages
9. Development of technology for collection, isolation and characterization of barotolerant and barophilic bacteria and their mass culture. Identification of novel biomolecules and genes through metagenomics approach.
10. Isolation, purification and characterization of bioplastics and nutraceuticals (EPA, DHA, etc.) from marine microalgae, macro algae and blue green algae
11. Establishment of a land based testing facility for the ballast water management systems.
12. Training of manpower in basic scuba diving skills at various levels for biological and engineering applications.

b) Participating Institutions

National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai

c) Implementation Plans

Though considerable progress is achieved in fulfilling the objectives of the 11th plan some of the objectives are yet to be achieved. It is proposed to continue the project in the 12th Plan to complete the following tasks.

1. Isolation and identification of barotolerant and barophilic bacteria and their mass culture.
2. Identification of novel biomolecules and their genes through metagenomics approach.
3. Production of lutein from marine microalgae.
4. Interaction with adhesive proteins to tackle biofouling in marine environment.
5. Development of sea cages of various size and shapes to suit Indian coastal waters.
6. Provision of hands on training to the traditional fishermen in offshore mariculture
7. Metagenomic approach to overcome non cultivability of the microbes present in many environment
8. Development of suitable technologies to evaluate Ballast water performance according to the criteria prescribed by the IMO
9. Development of diving expertise and infrastructure

This program will be implemented by NIOT through the scientific and technical staff in collaboration with other institutes such as CMLRE, NCPOR, IIT, etc.

Infrastructure facilities / lab requirements

This group would require the following facilities:

1. Sea water intake and supply system including pump house
2. Hatchery
3. Nursery
4. Freshwater intake and supply system
5. Experimental earthen ponds
6. Raceway culture system for micro algae
7. Wet Lab
8. Instrumentation Lab
9. Storing facility
10. Jetty
11. Training cum administrative Facilities
12. Feed Plant
13. Accommodation facility for trainees and hatchery workers
14. Commercial Grow-out Ponds
15. Sea water pool for testing

d) Deliverables:

1. Isolation and identification of barotolerant and barophilic bacteria and their mass culture
2. Production of lutein from marine microalgae.
3. Land based ballast water management facility

e) Budget requirement : 105 crores

(Rs. In crores)