Srinagar: Division of Basic Sciences & Humanities, Faculty of Horticulture, SKUAST-K, Shalimar on Monday conducted the valedictory function of ICAR sponsored ten days short course on “Opportunities of Naturally occurring Nutraceuticals as Potent Alternate Medicines of Future” with Course Director as Prof Imtiyaz Murtaza, Head Division of Basic Sciences & Humanities, FoH.
As many as 25 scientists across the country participated in the training programme from 5th March to 14th March 2022. During the period trainees underwent both theoretical lectures and practical demonstrations on the different aspects of nutraceuticals. They also had an exposure visit to ICAR Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture Srinagar, High-tech SpicePark, Konibal and Advanced Research Station for Saffron and Seed Spices at Pampore.
The valedictory function was attended by chief guest worthy Director Research Prof. Sarfaraz Ahmad Wani, Dean,Faculty of Horticulture, Prof Shabir Ahmad Wani, Director Planning and Monitoring, Prof Haroon Rasheed Naik and Course Director Prof. Imtiyaz Murtaza. The worthy Director Research during his speech said that the J&K perspective onnutraceuticals have been influenced by unique endemic flora, gigantic genetic resourcesfor potential sources of nutraceuticals, habitual consumption of probiotics, and the wisdom of ethnopharmacology over centuries.
Course Director Prof. Imtiyaz Murtaza during his speech elaborated the importance of nutraceuticals in mitigating the oxidative stress and disease management, their market potential and prioritized research areas on the theme besides nutrigenomics. He said that presently nutraceuticals are known for their physiological benefits as they are natural and have negligible side effects and can be a solution for populations with special reference to oxidative stress related diseases and human metabolic disorders. Even though the concept of nutraceuticals is still in its early stages in developing countries like India, it is rapidly mountingworldwide. He further added that the program was personalized to have added stress on the laboratory techniques to build the self-assuranceamong the stakeholders involved in the field. The function concluded with the vote of thanks by Prof. Farooq Ahmad Khan, Division of Basic Sciences & Humanities, FoH.

KR Desk