Pushkarnema curajae

Researchers from the Central University of Rajasthan have discovered a new species of cyanobacteria in the sacred Pushkar Lake.

The organism, named Pushkarnema curajae, was identified from samples collected at Pushkar Sarovar during field studies conducted in 2016 and 2021. The name reflects both the lake (Pushkar) and the university (CURAJ) where the research was carried out.

Scientists noted that this newly identified cyanobacterium holds promising applications in the development of drugs, biofertilisers, and nutrient-rich supplements that could enhance immunity and overall health.

About Cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria, often referred to as “blue-green algae,” are microscopic, photosynthetic organisms that live in aquatic environments. Despite being bacteria, they can produce their own food through photosynthesis and are among the oldest life forms on Earth, with fossil records dating back over 3.5 billion years.

They have played a crucial role in Earth’s history—contributing to the formation of early oil deposits, enriching soils through nitrogen fixation (especially in crops like rice and beans), and most importantly, generating the oxygen-rich atmosphere during the Archaean and Proterozoic eras.

Cyanobacteria are also considered foundational to the evolution of plants, as chloroplasts—the structures that enable photosynthesis in plants—are believed to have originated from ancient cyanobacteria living symbiotically within plant cells.

Source: TOI