Education
Advancing Science: Dr. P.D. Sethi Memorial HPTLC National Award
The legacy of Dr. P.D. Sethi continues to shape the future of pharmaceutical analysis in India through the Dr. P.D. Sethi Memorial HPTLC National Award. Sponsored by Anchrom, this award highlights innovative applications of High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography (HPTLC) in the pharma, herbal, and food sectors.
Video Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Dr. P.D. Sethi and his legacy in pharmaceutical analysis.
00:51 – Who was Dr. P.D. Sethi? 40 years of contribution to India's Drug Labs.
02:02 – Understanding HPTLC as "Chemical Fingerprinting" for research.
03:07 – History and structure of the Dr. P.D. Sethi Memorial National Award.
04:19 – Herbal Category Winner: Standardizing Sida species at CSIR Lucknow.
05:45 – Pharma Category Winner: Anti-obesity potential of Justicia adhatoda (BIT Mesra).
06:55 – Food Category Winner: Eco-friendly HPTLC method for MSG detection (SRM Institute).
08:13 – The Role of Anchrom: Beyond equipment to a scientific ecosystem.
09:03 – Anchrom Earn and Learn PhD Scholarship: The Industrial PhD model.
10:12 – MSc Research Scholarships and free HPTLC training programs.
11:18 – Conclusion: The future of analytical champions in India.
Innovative Research Highlights (2024 Winners)
The recent award cycle showcased how chemical fingerprinting is revolutionizing quality control:
Herbal Drug Standardization: Researchers from CSIR Lucknow were recognized for their work on the standardization of Sida species (Bala). By developing a densitometric HPTLC method, they ensured the phyto-equivalency and consistency of Ayurvedic medicines, addressing a major challenge in the standardization of polyherbal formulations.
Anti-Obesity Breakthroughs: A landmark study from BIT Mesra, Ranchi explored the anti-obesity potential of isolated bioactive fractions from Justicia adhatoda leaves. Using HPTLC-MS/MS characterization, the team identified specific compounds capable of inhibiting lipid accumulation.
Green Food Safety: Highlighting the shift toward Green Analytical Chemistry, the winning project from SRM Institute developed an eco-friendly HPTLC method for detection of MSG in food samples. This aligns with global 2026 sustainability goals by reducing toxic solvent waste.
The Technical Edge: HPTLC vs HPLC
In pharmaceutical analysis, the choice of HPTLC vs HPLC for herbal drug standardization is a critical topic. HPTLC offers unique orthogonal features, high throughput, and the ability to perform marker compound analysis on multiple samples simultaneously without complex cleanup.
Educational Ecosystem & Scholarships
Dr. Sethi’s mission is kept alive through robust career initiatives that bridge the gap between academia and industry:
Anchrom Earn and Learn PhD Scholarship: A unique industrial PhD in Chemistry allowing MSc graduates to work in a world-class lab while completing their doctorate.
MSc Research Scholarship: A stipend-based program for fresh graduates to gain experience as an analytical chemist.
Free HPTLC Training Workshops: Ongoing programs for validated HPTLC method development, benefiting thousands of students and teachers annually.
How to Apply for the 2025 Award
If you are publishing a paper in an Indian laboratory, keep these details in mind:
Application Deadline: Annually on May 31st.
Prize: Cash awards up to ₹35,000 and a Certificate of Merit.
Eligibility: Best HPTLC research paper published in the previous calendar year.
GET INVOLVED!
Are you a researcher or a student looking to make your mark in the world of analytical chemistry? Here is how you can join this mission:
APPLY FOR THE AWARD: If you have published a high-quality HPTLC research paper in an Indian lab, don't miss the May 31st application deadline. Apply for the Dr. P.D. Sethi Memorial HPTLC National Award and get recognized globally!
ADVANCE YOUR CAREER: Interested in the Anchrom Earn and Learn PhD Scholarship or the MSc Research Scholarship? Reach out to the Anchrom team or visit their website for eligibility details.
SHARE THE KNOWLEDGE: If you know a scientist, researcher, or pharmacy student who would benefit from this recognition or training, share this video with them! Let’s build a stronger scientific community together.
SUBSCRIBE: Join the LabKiBaat community for more deep dives into science, innovation, and the stories behind India's greatest analytical minds.
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