DAVAO OCCIDENTAL – A total of P199,070 funding support was granted by the Department of Science and Technology Region XI (DOST XI) to the Southern Philippines Agri-Business and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST) for the conduct of two research & development (R&D) projects related to food processing.
DOST XI, through its Provincial Science and Technology Center – Davao Occidental (PSTC-Davao Occidental), funded the said project in support to the goal of promoting local food research that can help Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the food industry to improve the quality of their existing products and develop and commercialize new ones thereby, increasing their competitiveness in local and export markets.
Development of Calamansi Nip in Dry Form Using Spray Drying Method
The development of Calamansi Nip into its dry form may enable mass production during peak seasons. This will be beneficial to producers and traders promoting a stable price for agricultural commodities like calamansi and ginger to compensate for their cost of production and optimize their income. Hence, the development of Calamansi Nip in Dry form may be considered as another opportunity to generate or provide additional income not only to target beneficiaries, but most of all to the farmers.
Improvement of Nutrient Content and Sensory Quality of SPAMAST Tilanggit (Dried Marinated Tilapia) by Vacuum-Frying
The proposed improved version of the SPAMAST Tilanggit aims to produce vacuum-fried Tilanggit with improved quality and extended shelf-life to address the factors that affect the nutrient content of Tilanggit such as the source of Tilapia, ingredients and drying conditions, and cooking methods. During processing, nutrient content and sensory qualities such as color, taste, aroma, and texture of a product may change. It is therefore important to standardize the processing methods that can preserve the nutrient content and other qualities of Tilanggit. SPAMAST has been known as a producer of Tilanggit in Davao Occidental for 10 years.
The R&D projects will be conducted in collaboration with the Food Processing Innovation Center (FPIC)-Davao, which will serve as the venue in the development of the said innovative products using the DOST- High Impact Technology Solutions (HITS) equipment namely, spray dryer and vacuum fryer. FPIC-Davao is a banner project of DOST XI and serves as a one-stop food research and development facility where local food processors, students, faculty, and researchers can innovate and develop value-added food products to local agricultural and fishery resources.
The partnership was formalized through the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on June 14, 2021. SPAMAST President, Dr. Ruth S. Lucero, Provincial Science and Technology Center – Davao Occidental Director, Ms. Maria Victoria I. Dado, SPAMAST Associate Professor, Dr. Edelyn Albiso and SPAMAST Instructor, Ms. Jamaica N. Meralles led the ceremonial signing of the MOA held at SPAMAST, Malita, Davao Occidental.
DOST XI S&T Promotion
