The Stepping Stones 

Recognizing the significant contributions made by NIN in the field of food toxins, the Food & Drug Toxicology Research Centre (FDTRC) was established as separate centre in the year 1978. The mandate was to investigate food borne disease outbreaks and undertake toxicological evaluation of foods and drugs.

FDTRC, located at NIN, is today a major national centre for insightful research in fungal toxins, pesticide residues, food additives, heavy metals, pharmacokinetics , diet & chronic degenerative disorders and nutrient-drug interactions. The Centre is also engaged in environmental monitoring as well as biomonitoring to study human exposures to carcinogens/toxins in the environment and their biological impact. This centre shares certain essential facilities like equipment, library etc., with NIN. 

Analysis of mycotoxins
 

 
Objectives

1. To investigate food borne disease outbreaks and to identify the causative factor(s)

2. Surveillance and monitoring of environmental contaminants

3. Detection of newer adulterants/ toxicants in foods

4. To develop analytical methods for detection of adulterants/ toxicants

5. To evaluate basic molecular mechanisms of toxins and develop appropriate bio-markers

6. To study drug nutrient interactions particularly with reference to drug metabolism and toxicity.

7. To investigate aetiopathogenesis of chronic diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes and identify their risk factors

8. To evaluate and identify naturally occurring food ingredients which are rich in antioxidants, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and cancer prevention properties

9. To develop bio-markers to study environmental toxicity