Research

The enzyme, named CRhAB — Cow Rumen Hydrolase against Acinetobacter baumannii — attacks the protective extracellular matrix surrounding bacterial communities rather than attempting to kill the bacteria directly. IISc announced the research on 25 August 2026, while the peer-reviewed study was published in npj Biofilms and Microbiomes on 31 July 2026.

The new rotating-anode electrocoagulation reactor achieved removal efficiencies of up to 98.2% for arsenate and 91.8% for fluoride within minutes, while preliminary estimates place its operating cost at approximately ₹18 to ₹58 for every 1,000 litres of water treated, depending on the level of contamination.

The technology has been developed by researchers at the BITS Pilani K.K. Birla Goa Campus, bringing together scientists from the Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemical Engineering. Their work uses familiar pharmaceutical-grade materials rather than relying heavily on expensive or animal-derived substances traditionally explored for biological printing.

South Asia is undergoing rapid urbanization while simultaneously experiencing a sharp increase in obesity, diabetes, and other cardiometabolic disorders. Although urbanization is known to influence the gut microbiome, it was unclear whether these changes occur similarly across diverse South Asian populations.