Hyderabad: Animal remains, especially horns and bones of cows and buffaloes, are a fortune for some.
The GHMC and the Musheerabad police raided an illegal animal bone ash manufacturing unit in Bholakpur and seized 140 kg of bone ash. The unit owner, a GHMC contractor, would purchase animal remains from municipal slaughter houses, decompose it at Hayatnagar and crush the bones to ash at Bholakpur. The same was transferred to Vijayawada where it is used to make natural bone-china cutlery, and also in fertilizers.
As per the Drugs and Cosmetic Act 1940, no animal parts can be used in food or cosmetics. It is, however, allowed in the making of artefacts. The powder is also used by sugar polishing units.
Mr C. Srinivasulu, a zoologist at Osmania University said, “Bone ash is an excellent component in fertilizer as it contains calcium and phosphates. For making nitrogen-phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, the phosphorus part of this fertilizer is made chemically or is sourced thro-ugh natural resources such as animal bone. With regard to cutlery, bone ash is used for making natural bone-china crockery (unbreakable), the ash makes the cutlery very thin and gives it a classic look. Bone ash gives strength to the product, at the same time ensuring that they are very light. Since there is a demand for natural bone china crockery, these units are doing good business.”
Another important by-product is bone gelatin, a product of the bone marrow. Cattle bones are dried and boiled and gelatin is extracted. It is used in the baking industry. However, bone gelatin is banned by the Health department. Natural, plant-based gelatin is used instead.
“Hyderabad was an epicenter for extraction of animal oil form bones that is used in the hotel and restaurant industry. It is a cheap substitute for hydrogenated oil needed for some cuisine,” added the zoologist.
As per the Drugs and Cosmetic Act, bone ash is banned in the making of many medicines.
