1980 - National Institute of Oceanography

Sanvordem was carried out. The results obtained are tabulated below:
Concentration of vitamin B 12 (μg/l)
Station Minimum Maximum
Mouth of Mandovi estuary 0.4 7.0
Mouth of Zuari estuary 0.2 1..1
Mouth of Sanquelim river 0 2.5
Near Sanvordem 0.4 6.5
11. Studies on halides (other than chlorides) in sea water
During the year, studies on the chemistry of halogen compounds (other than chlorides)
in the estuarine and nearshore regions of Goa were started. Analytical methods for
fluoride and bromide have been standardised and suitable techniques for the determination
of iodide and iodates have been developed. Samples from the two stations along the
MONEX track in the Arabian Sea have been analysed for bromide and the results are
being processed.
12.. Solar dryer for marine and farm products
Keeping the basic configuration similar to that of a multi-surface solar still developed
earlier at this Institute, a cabinet type solar dryer to be used for farm products
has been developed. The working model of this dryer has 0.5 m 2 of floor area and is
capable of drying 50 large sizedcoconuts in about 48 hours, whereas the open Sun drying
of the same number of coconuts takes about 9 days. However, for drying of grapes
and red chillies the dehydration period was found to be about 72 hours. One of the
important features of this design is its detachable metallic hanger which accelerates the
process. The feasibility for drying marine products (fish, shrimps, etc.) is also being
undertaken in this solar dryer.
The solar dryer and the solar still developed at the Institute have received excellent
public response. Several government and private agencies have shown interest in these
devices and a number of units have already been supplied to several organizations.
13. Studies in Cochin backwaters
Work under this investigation was carried out at Regional Centre, Cochin.
3.2.2 Drugs from the sea
1. Screening of marine organisms
Some marine organisms from the Andaman Sea were screened and the extracts
have been prepared for a preliminary testing. Antiviral activity observed in Codium
elongatum has been located in the water soluble fraction. The activity appears to be
localized in the polysaccharide fraction. Further work on the identification of the
polysaccharide is in progress.
Acantophora specifera, Sargassum tenerrimum, Acanthus illicifolius and Porites
lutea have been fractionated for the confirmation of drug activity observed in them.
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