Thrissur: The Kerala Agricultural University has given ginger farmers a new ray of hope as the powdered gingerol extracted from 'Karthika', the ginger developed by the university, has received an Indian patent. The patent is received in association with Arjuna Natural Pvt. Ltd., an organisation specializing in nature-based extracts. 

Ginger is an active ingredient in the production and manufacturing of various medicines, nutraceuticals that develop food supplements using organic ingredients, health foods, etc. Among all the compounds in ginger, gingerol has more medicinal properties. From the normal variety of ginger, a consistent amount of gingerol cannot be extracted. While it is possible to receive a consistent amount of gingerol from Karthika.

The program was initiated in 2010 under the leadership of Dr. M.R. Shailaja (former director of education at the university and former professor at the Center for Plant Biology and Molecular Biology). This innovation can help ginger farmers receive a better, more consistent income, said Dr. Shailaja.