Indian scientists have successfully grown the Chinese ‘Monk fruit’ in Himachal Pradesh’s Palampur district. Monk fruit, which hails from China, has high nutritious values, low calories and a sweetness that comes from a natural compound that does not increase blood sugar, making it safe for consumers with diabetes.
Probably in first-of-its kind efforts, scientists from the Indian Institute of Himalayan Bio-resource Technology (IHBT), a Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) lab, are now busy working towards development of good agricultural practices and varietal improvement of the Monk fruit. They hope to make it available for sale in Indian market soon for the diabetic patients and manufacturers seeking a low-calorie ingredient.
“Since India is home to 62.4 million people with diabetes Type 2, this is wondrous fruit for them. We have been successful in our experiments at our farms. “Now, we are focusing for process technology and product development (extract) from Monk fruit. We hope intense sweeteners made from the juice of this fruit will soon be available in the market,” Dr Sanjay Kumar from Palampur told The Daily Pioneer.
