APEDA - CDFD Centre for Basmati DNA analysis

Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) - Centre for DNA Fingerprinting & Diagnostics (CDFD) Centre for Basmati DNA analysis was established in CDFD in 2005 to test Basmati rice samples using the DNA protocol developed at CDFD. The initial funds for establishment of the laboratory have been provided by Basmati Export Development Foundation (BEDF) managed by APEDA, Ministry of Commerce, Government of India.

Mandate of the Centre

(i)   At the APEDA-CDFD centre, the Basmati rice samples, received from Export Inspection Council (EIC), Ministry of commerce, Govt. of india, basmati rice exporters and Basmati importers from india and other countries, are tested for their purity by using the DNA protocol developed and standerized at CDFD. The Basmati DNA Test Report indicating the level of purity of Basmati rice in a given sample and the extent of adulteration with non-basmati rice grains, if any, will be indicated.

(ii)   New DNA markers that can distinguish different Basmati varieties authorized by Govt. of India and the newly authorized ones and emerging non-basmati potential adulterants will be developed and standarized for detection and quantification of non-basmati adulterants.

(iii)   The genomic regions that contribute to unique Basmati traits such as grain elongation, grain width, elongation ratio, fragrance will be identified through genetic mapping experiments and the genes contributing to these traits will be identified and validated.