DOST-PCHRD shares projects exploring nutritional benefits of Functional Foods

The Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) is set to share the latest updates on some of its ongoing projects under the Functional Foods research program this July 26, 2021 through the Talakayan HeaRT Beat on the Functional Foods program.

As a country with a rich biodiversity of natural resources, the DOST-PCHRD draws on various crops to develop food products that may help in the prevention of non-communicable diseases. The Functional Foods program explores the possible health advantages of selected commodities beyond their distinctive nutritional benefits.

This coming Talakayang HeaRT Beat will feature projects on:

• Carabao mangoes– While Philippine mangoes are popular globally due its taste, what may be less known about these fruits are its potential anti-hypertensive properties. This is what the team of Dr. Mary Ann Torio from the University of the Philippines (UP) Los Baños aims to study under the project “Angiotensin I-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitory Peptides from Mangoes (Mangifera indica L. cv. ‘Carabao’) in Selected Provinces in the Philippines.” The study uses carabao mangoes sourced from top producers of mangoes in the country─ Batangas, Zambales, Guimaras, and Davao. Proteins from the mango samples are isolated and evaluated for angiontensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activities or anti-hypertensive activities. If proven to be safe and effective, the project may serve as a reference for further research on the use of mangoes as an anti-hypertensive food product.
• Mushrooms– Building on the success of a previous study focusing on the domestication of 5 wild, edible mushrooms, Dr. Renato G. Reyes of the Central Luzon State University (CLSU) is developing mushroom-based food products and their market acceptability. The study, entitled “Myko-mining and Myko-pharming of Wild Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms in Luzon Island, Philippines for their Medicinal Properties (Project 4: Development of Mushroom-based Functional Food products),” intends to boost the livelihood of mushroom farmers in Central Luzon by boosting their product’s market value.
• Local berries– Despite its impressive nutritional profile, local berries such as lipote and bignay remain to be underutilized and less explored in the scientific community. To gather evidence about the nutritional benefits of these local berries, Dr. Katherine Anne Castillo-Israel and Dr. Liezl Atienza of UP Los Baños are conducting the project “BerryPinoy: Exploring the Potentials of Philippine Indigenous Berries as Functional Foods.” This explores lipote and bignay as antioxidants while also assessing its toxicity and effects on obesity and associated metabolic disorders.

 

Updates on the projects will be presented by DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña which will be followed by a forum with the media. Members of the forum panel are the DOST Secretary, DOST Undersecretary for Research and Development Rowena Cristina Guevara, and the Functional

Foods project leaders who will be answering questions about their respective initiatives and programs.

The DOST-PCHRD invites the media to this installation of Talakayang HeaRT Beat to help the Council communicate these efforts and share the hard work of Filipino researchers in generating research-based health solutions for all.

For information on other DOST-PCHRD projects, visit pchrd.dost.gov.ph