Food & Agriculture
fish-based (tuyo) viands that can be mass-produced and distributed as emergency
food or functional food product.
The product is unique because it was formulated with white corn instead of the
main staple of Filipino meals: white rice. According to the Department of
Agriculture, white corn is healthier than rice because of its glycemic index. It is
slower to digest than rice, thus, regulating the gradual release of glucose in the
bloodstream and minimizing the risk of diabetes. Research also shows that white
corn contains more protein, lysine, tryptophan, dietary fiber, minerals, and
antioxidants.
The product is made from readily available and culturally accepted raw materials,
so it can be used as emergency food or functional food for Filipinos with food
restriction due to their religion or culture.
Ultimately, UNIQUE-Corn will benefit the victims of disasters and emergency
situations, who are most in need of nutritious and diverse food products. Locals
corn farmers may also benefit from mass production of this food item as
increased demand for the product will required higher yields of raw corn.
Research on the health benefits of UNIQUE-Corn is ongoing. If proven to have
a better glycemic index that white rice, white corn can be marketed as a functional
food product to people with glycemic restrictions like diabetic patients.
Funded by: DOST-PCIEERD | UP Diliman TTBDO
Optimization of Ready-to-Drink Sweet Potato Leaf Extract
Beverages through the UP-DOST Food Innovation Facility
Casiana Blanca J. Villarino, PhD (Project Leader) | Abigail S. Rustia, MSc | Fredelyn S. Gascon | Jan
Carlo C. Aningat
Department of Food Science and Nutrition
E-mail: [email protected]
There is a growing demand for healthy and nutritious products, such as natural
juices, due to increasing incidences of diseases such as cardiovascular
complications, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cancer. However, most of the natural
juices currently available in the market are expensive, pushing consumers to
choose cheaper alternatives that are made with artificial ingredients, such as
28 | UP Diliman SALIKSIKHAY