A three-day skill development training program under the theme “cGMP Pilot Plant for Extraction of Traditional (ISM) Herbal Plants” commenced at CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine here on Monday in which about 30 participants from diverse backgrounds of Chemical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Life Sciences, Medicine and AYUSH enrolled for the workshop.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr Zabeer Ahmed, Director CSIR-IIIM Jammu. Dr Ahmed, Chief Guest, during the inaugural session in his address, underscored the significance of merging traditional medicinal knowledge with modern scientific methods and regulatory frameworks. He emphasized that the program aims to advance the herbal medicine industry while preserving the rich heritage of the Indian System of Medicine. Dr Ahmed further said that the extraction process is the cornerstone of any herbal formulation.

However, he said, achieving optimal extraction requires a deep understanding of the plant material, the methods of extraction, quality control, quality assurance and the factors that can influence the stability of bioactive compounds.He further described extraction, formulation, and packaging of traditional herbal medicinal formulations are crucial steps in ensuring the efficacy, safety, and quality of herbal products.Recognizing the significance of this discipline in the contemporary scientific landscape, CSIR-IIIM, following the NEP guidelines, has taken the initiative to introduce a specialized Skill Development programme aimed at equipping individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge in Extraction, Formulation and Packaging of Traditional Herbal Medicinal Formulations.Over the course of three days, distinguished speakers and subject matter experts will lead interactive sessions and hands-on training modules. Topics include advanced extraction technologies for herbal compounds and practical experiments such as extraction, distillation, and evaporation. The program has drawn participants from diverse backgrounds, including pharmaceutical professionals, researchers, academicians, and students, fostering a collaborative environment for knowledge sharing and skill development. On day 1, after the inauguration, Er Anil Katare, Principal Scientist, gave an overview of the Role of GMP practices in herbal extraction processes. He also gave a lecture on the Introduction of GMP Principles & their application in Ayurvedic drugs.

Later, the participants were made to understand the Extraction Methods and Types of Extraction Processes. Hands-on Experimentation for grinding and sifting of plant material was performed under the guidance of Sumit Roy, Technical Officer and Goutam Dubey, Project Associate-I. Pertinently, these hands-on training and skill development series have been launched by CSIR-IIIM Jammu as part of CSIR-Integrated skill initiatives. The event was conducted under the overall supervision of Er Abdul Rahim, Chief Scientist & Head RMBD & IST. Dr Deepika Singh, Head of QMI Division & Principal Scientist, welcomed all dignitaries and participants. Er Anil Katare, Principal Scientist & Technical Coordinator of this Training program, gave an overview of the whole training program, while Dr Nasir Ul Rasheed, Senior Scientist, gave the formal vote of thanks.The Inaugural session saw the participation of Heads of all scientific divisions and associated technical staff.