Gazipur Agricultural University wins patent for jackfruit seed nutrition technology

Researchers at Gazipur Agricultural University (GAU) have secured a patent for a technology that converts jackfruit seeds into a concentrated mineral-rich food ingredient, an innovation that could help improve nutrition and reduce food waste.

The Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) under the Ministry of Industries recently granted the patent for the technology, developed by Prof Dr Md Amdadul Haque of the Department of Food Engineering and his postgraduate researcher Md Akram Hossain, according to a press release. 

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The technology was developed by Prof Dr Md Amdadul Haque of the Department of Food Engineering alongside his postgraduate researcher Md Akram Hossain. Photo: Collected

According to the researchers, while dried jackfruit seeds naturally contain around two percent mineral content, the new technology can increase it to more than 33 percent, boosting the mineral concentration by about 16 to 17 times.

The research, funded under the Ministry of Education's Grants for Advanced Research and Education (GARE) project, aims to utilise jackfruit seeds, which are often discarded despite being rich in nutrients.

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Jackfruit seeds are edible, highly nutritious, and packed with protein, fiber, iron, and B vitamins. Photo: Collected

Researchers said the mineral concentrate could be added to processed foods to enhance their nutritional value while reducing agricultural waste and supporting environmental sustainability.

GAU Vice Chancellor Prof Dr GKM Mustafizur Rahman said the patent marked “a new milestone in Bangladesh's agricultural, food and nutrition research.”

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Jackfruit lives up to its "superfruit" label with remarkable nutritional credentials: rich in fibre, vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants. Photo: Collected

Prof Emdadul said commercialising the technology could lead to new nutrient-rich food products, promote jackfruit-based industries and increase farmers' incomes.

With the latest invention, the number of patented technologies developed by GAU has risen to 21. University authorities also said the university's researchers have developed 97 improved crop varieties so far.