Positive Health Online

Dr. Akash Chopra trained as an organic chemist at University of London. He formed a facilitation company, Biosys Ltd, based at Rothamsted Experimental station, Harpenden, UK, specializing in traceable essential oils and botanical extracts. He has spent some five years with his team understanding the growing, processing, and marketing of the extracts. This detailed understanding has led to major projects being facilitated with government funded institutes in South Africa and India. He is also involved in looking at new indigenous raw materials from India and South Africa, and at the same time addressing biodiversity issues. In some cases this has led to sustainable community-based projects ensuring that there are cross section benefits to the indigenous socio-eco system. Dr Chopra is in his early stages of involvement with Silsoe Research institute, Bedford UK, researching on aroma delivery systems along with work on novel ways of processing and managing alternative crops. He can be reached at Biosys Ltd, Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Herts. UK AL5 2JQ. akash@biosys.co.uk Mr Julian Franklin is head of Horticultural and Controlled Environment Services at Rothamsted Experimental station. He has worked with Biosys Ltd for the last 3 years developing strategies for growing essential oil crops in South Africa and the UK. He can be reached at IACR Rothamsted, Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, Herts. UK. AL5 2JQ. julian.franklin@bbsrc.ac.uk