Batac, Ilocos Norte – The city of Batac, Ilocos Norte, is hosting the three-day summit ‘FLAM (From Farm to Lab, Accelerated to the Market): Harnessing Probiotics and Functional Foods in Bridging Health and Nutrition Divides,’ featuring discussions on probiotics and functional foods with participation from international experts. The summit opened on Monday, attracting attention to the latest scientific breakthroughs in the field.
According to Philippines News Agency, who spoke at the event, the summit is crucial for advancing the development of probiotics using local plant sources. Agrupis emphasized the role of research and development in maximizing the potential of these natural sources for societal benefit.
The summit, organized by the Indigenous Food Research Consortium at MMSU, includes delegates from various international institutions: the Asian Institute of Technology and Kasetsart University of Thailand, National Institute of Technology (Kosen), Oyoma College, and Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University of Japan, Rutgers University of the United States, and several universities from the Philippines including University of the Philippines Manila, Los Baños in Laguna, and Visayas, University of San Agustin in Iloilo City, Zamboanga State College of Marine Science and Technology, and Herbanext Laboratories, Inc.
MMSU itself has been actively involved in promoting the cultivation of local plants like Allukon (Broussonetia luzonica), a vegetable native to Ilocos Norte. The plant’s male inflorescences and tops are commonly cooked as a viand, with the female inflorescences also being edible. Another local plant, Palali (Dillenia philippinensis), also known as katmon, is notable for its sour and juicy fruits used in traditional Filipino dishes like sinigang.
The summit also highlights other indigenous plants like Bilagot (Schismatoglottis sp.) and Sugudsugod (Momordica cochinchinensis), which are found in various parts of Ilocos Norte. Bilagot thrives in moist areas and is native to several towns, while Sugudsugod, a plant known for its high lycopene and beta-carotene content, is widely distributed across the region. Sugudsugod is used both as a vegetable viand and a salad ingredient, with its fruits potentially possessing anti-cancer properties.
