35th Regional Symposium on Research, Development, and Extension Highlights

The 35th Founding Anniversary of Southern Mindanao Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development Consortium (SMAARRDEC) has showcased several studies from the participating consortium-institutions. The event was held on August 17, 2022, at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP) Gymnasium and Cultural Center.

Prof. Kriza Faye Calumba gave an oral presentation about the “Development of probiotic marang (Artocarpus odoratissimus) juice inoculated with putative Lactobacillus paracasei C1I12.” This study was the undergraduate thesis of a BS Food Technology student, Ms. Carmina Demerey. It aims to produce a non-dairy probiotic beverage using the underutilized marang fruit. Other authors include Prof. Rovi Gem Villame, Prof. Jackie Lou Tagubase, and Ms. Zarryn Palangga.

Prof. Calumba also presented a poster on beer brewed with pomelo peel. This study entitled “Physico-chemical properties and antioxidant activity of beer brewed with Citrus grandis Osbeck (Pomelo) Peel” was the undergraduate thesis of a BS Food Technology student, Ms. Erika Cayamanda. It aims to give value to pomelo peel, an abundant fruit by-product, which has potential in improving the functional properties of beer. This was the undergraduate thesis of a BS Food Technology student, Ms. Erika Cayamanda.

Moreover, Mr. Khent Ivan Duerme and his team’s scientific poster focused on the utilization of bignay leaves for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with antimicrobial properties. Synthesizing AgNPs is costly or uses toxic chemicals, so bignay leaf extract (BLE) was considered for it is a cheap, environmentally friendly, and underexplored alternative. AgNPs synthesized from BLE exhibited antimicrobial activity comparable to a commercial antibiotic and can be used for food packaging applications.   

SMARRDEC was established to serve Research and Development (R&D) needs of farmers, local government units, small businesses and other stakeholders of Region 11. RSRDEH encourages industry competitiveness and provides an avenue for researchers to contribute to sustainability.