Arba Minch University forthright in contributing in multiple ways to tackle crisis emerging from COVID-19 in the society has produced 1000 liters of sanitizers for health sectors rendering clinical services across its catchment. College of Natural and Computational Sciences’ Chemistry and Biology departments have played key role while the task was executed by University-Industry Linkage and Technology Transfer Directorate and its team.Click here to see the pictures
On the occasion, Research and Community Service Directorate Vice President, Dr Simon Shibru, said, sensing gravity of the situation, AMU has produced sanitizers in bulk which may be distributed to health professionals and administrative staff engaged in rendering services to affected and suspected cases at Secha Treatment Centre; isolation, quarantine centres, hospitals and clinics in its catchment area
He also informed University’s COVID-19 Research Council constituted to study and tackle catastrophic effect of coronavirus has received 47 research proposals of which three from College of Natural & Computational Sciences will exclusively be focusing on ethanol production.
Dr Tolera Seda, University-Industry Linkage & Technology Transfer Directorate Director, said, under my guidance, a team of 7 technical assistants were involved in production of sanitizers. Adhering to WHO recommendation, we chose to start on the scale of 20-Litre volume that contained 17,021 ml of ethanol, 292.93 ml Glycerol, 83.33 ml Hydrogen Peroxide and 2,602.74 ml of water. With this scale, we could attain the recommended ratio; in 1000 liters of sanitizers we have 935 liters of ethanol, glycerol 13 liters, hydrogen peroxide around 6 liters and 145 liters of water.
He added that having produced sanitizers we wanted it to be properly labeled, so we have mentioned all necessary information which is as per Food and Drug Administration’s directive. Glycerol in sanitizer acts as humectants that retains or preserve moisture; Hydrogen Peroxide actually inactivates contaminating bacterial spores in the solution.
Dean of College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Dr Fekedu Massebo, said, this is for the first time we have produced sanitizers in bulk and probably it will be distributed among those involved in health sectors. You know, bacteria have lipid molecules on surface that can be dissolved in alcohol hence sanitizer is important. He adds, my college has PCR machine that needs a cartridge that actually detect virus, however, we are trying to procure it from abroad, once it gets functional my team is ready to serve.
He further adds, my college is contributing in different ways and this time we have submitted 6 proposals to COVID-19 Research Council of which 2 will focus on developing products like producing ethanol from molasses and one would like to use areke in producing ethanol. He expressed his gratitude towards the team for successfully completing the task.
(Corporate Communication Directorate)