United Nations Development Programme
GEF Small Grants Programme
Planning Grant Application Form
Country: Mauritius Submission Date:28 April 2022
Project title: Use of Algae-based material for the production of reusable
shopping bags.
APPLICANT: Dr Devkumar S Callychurn
Name of Organisation: University of Mauritius
Mailing Address: Reduit 80837
Street Address: Royal road
Telephone:4037400/ 4037841
Fax:4657144
E-Mail:d.callychurn@uom.ac.mu
Principal Officer: Prof. SK Sobhee, Acting Vice-Chancellor
Project Contact: Dr DS Callychurn, Senior Lecturer
PLANNING GRANT
1. Funding Request: 2000 USD ( Rs 84 488)
2. Proposed Planning Period Starting Date: May/June 2022
3. Proposed Planning Period Completion Date: End of June/July 2022
On a separate page, briefly describe the purpose of the planning grant and how the
planning grant funds will be used, in particular with respect to community
participation in project development. Provide an estimated breakdown of expenses.
Research activities
The

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main activities for the project are as follows:
? Completion of research on replacement of cassava starch with algae (Ulva
Lactuca).
? Consultation with colleagues from the Chemical Engineering department for
alternatives to the use of sodium hydroxide. Dr G Somaroo has already been
contacted for that purpose.
? Sample preparation and testing.
? Optimization of the fabrication process for low cost production.
? Testing of other eco-friendly substance for improving material.
? Consultation with textile department for fabrication of algae based bag.
? Identification of potential NGS?s to work on the implementation of the project.
Expected Output
The main outcomes from the research work are:
? Fine tuning of the existing composition (starch and algae based bioplastic).
? Producing completely algae-based bag material samples (mixture of seaweeds).
? Sample preparation for both optimized compositions.
? Detailed report with all the results and the way forward (implementation plan)
Detailed Costing
List of Materials
Material Qty Budgeted Amount (Rs)
Starch 10kg 1500
Glycerol 500ml 1000
Seaweeds Collection -
Transportation cost 5000
Equipment
Glass trays 15 4500
Drying Chamber 1 6000
Hand Grain Mill 1 10000
Staff Cost
RA for two months Rs 27500 per month Rs55,000
Total Rs83,000
Timeframe
Timeframe for research activities
Task
Week
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Preparation of drying trays
Collection of seaweeds
Preparation of samples within controlled environment
(Actual composition)
Fabrication of a small drying chamber
Testing of algae based material
Research on replacing cassava starch with algae
Research on replacement of NaOH with eco-friendly
compound
Samples preparation and testing
Optimization of the composition and production of
algae based film
Production of sample bag
Testing of final product
Identification of potential NGOs to work on the
implementation of the project
Report writing

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