FOOD & BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH CENTRE

Food and Biotechnology Research Centre was established in 1977 by the merger of two separate divisions namely, Biological Evaluation and Fermentation and Food Technology & Nutrition. Among the major objectives of this centre are the assistance in the establishment / development of food and biotechnology industry in the country through value-added output from low-priced raw material, bio-resource development and utilization, quality assurance of finished products, resolution of industrial trouble-shooting, and attracting small and medium level entrepreneurs to establish the industry. The Centre has well equiped laboratory, functional pilot plant, Integrated experimental field. In addition to the usual laboratory needs, specialized instruments include automatic absorptions spectrophotometer (AAS), high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC), gas chromatograph (GC, Ion Exchange Chromatograph, testing services of centre in the field of microbiology, mycotoxin & approximate analysis of food & feeding stuff are accreditated under ISO\IEC 17025:2005 with PNAC.

Main Activities

1. Research and Development Work
• To Design and execute the projects of national needs related to food and Biotechnology industries
• To develop new and finished quality food and biotechnical products from low cost raw materials.
• To enhance interdisciplinary research and international collaboration in the field of food and biotechnology.
2. Industrial Linkage
• To establish linkage with industry for improving the performance of traditional food industries to meet our national needs.
• To transfer R&D based technology to the industry for commercial exploitation
3. Analytical Services To Food And Feed Industries
• Analytical Testing for Quality Assurance
• Product Certification
• Quality Control for Importers and Exporters
4. Technical Assitance To Food And Feed Industries
• Technical Guidance in Trouble Shootings
• Technical Support to Importers and Exporters
5. Human Resource Development
• Research facilities are provided to students for the completion of their Ph.D., M.Phill, M.Sc. and B.Sc. (Hons.) degrees. Country wide scientific and technical guidance to university / college faculty

Facilities Available

The centre has well equipped laboratories, functional pilot plants, and integrated experimental field. In addition to the usual laboratory needs, specialized instruments include: Automatic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS), High performance Liquid Chromatograph (HPLC), Gas Chromatograph (GC), Ion Exchange Chromatograph. Amino acid analyzer, assorted fermenters (bench scale to semi commercial scale) UV-VIS Spectrophotometer, Freeze Dryer, Ultra Centrifuges, controlled temperature incubator with illumination. Facilities for cell tissue culture and microbial culture collection are present. Full lines of facilities are available for complete food analysis covering microbiology chemical composition and their nutritional profiles. The centre further has pilot plants for the production of food products, feedstuffs, industrial enzymes, acids and alcohol. A commercial twin-tunnel dehydration plant along with necessary set up is available for food products development and preservation. An integrated rural unit comprising of a biogas plant, poultry sheds, fish/algal pond and animal house is also available.

Main Groups Of The Centre

• Cereal Technology Laboratory
• Fruit and Vegetable Processing Laboratory
• Dairy / Feed Nutrition Technology Laboratory
• Meat and Meat Products Laboratory
• Food Additives & Contaminant Laboratory
• Microbiology Laboratory
• Industrial Biotechnology Laboratory
• Plant Biotechnology Laboratory
• Bio-resource Utilization / Drinking Water Testing Laboratory

Analytical / Testing Services Available

• Microbiology (Food, Feed and Water)
• Chemical Analysis (Food and Water)
• Nutritional Analysis (Food and Food related items)
• Mineral and Metal Estimation (Food, Feed and Water)
• Vitamins Analysis (Food & Food Products)
• Aflatoxins Analysis
• Food Grade Color Analysis
• Preservatives
• Physical Analysis

Technologies Developed & Ready To Be Lease Out

• Blended Wheat Flour for Diabetic Patient
• Process of Bating Enzymes Production
• Can Juice Bottling (Carbonated and Non Carbonated)
• Chicken Processing Masala Formulation
• Fortification of Wheat Flour with Vitamin A & Iron
• Processing of low moisture vegetable products
• Slim fast diet
• Zinc Bacitracin
• Biryani Masala
• Food Supplement
• Milk Protein Isolate
• Gluten Free Flour
• Chicken, Beef, Sheep liver Sausages
• Production of Nuts Bread
• High fiber Nuggets
• Juice Drink (Mango, Apple & Mix Fruit)
• Canning of Sweets (Gulab Jaman)
• Date Products and Date Cake
• Egg Powder
• Chicken Pickle
• Di-Calcium Phosphate (Food and Pharmaceutical grade)
• Mushroom Spawn (seed)
• Herbal Tea (For sliming, Diabetics, Heart Trouble and Blood Pressure)
• Food Supplement (Calcium rich diet for orthopedics)

Collaborative Industries

• Nestle Pakistan Ltd.
• Pepsi Pakistan Ltd.
• Tetra Pak Pakistan
• CDL (Pvt.) Ltd.
• Bunny’s Ltd.
• ICI Pakistan Ltd.
• Mitchell’s Fruit Farms.
• Gujranwala Food Ind.
• Rice Exporters
• Citro Pak Ltd.

Service Sectors

• Food & Food Products
• Beverage Industry
• Oils & Fats
• Meat & Meat Products
• Milk & Dairy Products
• Bakery & Confectionary
• Cereals & Spices