UPV gets its first approved patent

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UP Visayas was granted its first patent for the invention on Methods and Composition of Microalgae Paste, a product manufactured by the Algacon Aquafeeds Manufacturing (AAM), an aquaculture enterprise that produces the first Philippine made microalgae paste.

After several years of research, the hardwork and patience of Ms. Soledad S. Garibay, a University Researcher at the Institute of Aquaculture, together with Prof. Leticia J. Ami, a retired Faculty from the Institute of Fisheries Processing and Technology, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, UP Visayas, finally paid off with the release of the patent on August 16, 2023.

Garibay has been studying microalgae for decades. As an aquaculturist she knows the value of the microalgae as the primary feed for aquaculture commodities such as milkfish, shrimp, crab and shellfish in their early larval developmental stages. Microalgae are unicellular photosynthetic microorganisms that thrive in fresh, brackish or marine environments.

The technology she came up with, the microalgae paste, is the research output of a DOST-PCAARRD funded project implemented from 2013-2016, 2016-2018.  The microalgae paste introduced as JUAN Algae is now in the market and currently being used by the aquaculture industry particularly in hatcheries. The use of Algal Paste has paved the way to the long overdue industry problem of culture collapse encountered in hatcheries during adverse weather conditions when ration of microalgae as feed becomes insufficient.

Garibay said she applied for the patent about five years ago. (Ms. Mary Lyncen M. Fernandez, IPO)