Kuala lumpur: Research has led to the development of Pinasweet (Pineapple Sugar), a natural sweetener with a low glycaemic index (GI), and LiqoFas, a liquid organic fertiliser made from pineapple waste, offering new opportunities to advance the circular economy in the agri-food sector. The two products were launched by the Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) at the Pineapple Agro Food Site in conjunction with the Malaysia Agriculture, Horticulture and Agrotourism Exhibition (MAHA) 2026 at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the products were launched by Agriculture and Food Security Ministry (KPKM) secretary-general Datuk Seri Isham Ishak, who said their development demonstrated the role of research and technology in creating new value from agricultural by-products. Pinasweet was developed from pineapple through a collaboration between LPNM and the Institute of Bioproduct Development, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM). Research showed that it has a low glycaemic index (GI) of between 26 and 28, as well as being rich in antioxidants. The pineapple peels and pulp are also used to produce Pinaflour, a gluten-free flour for the bakery industry.

Also present were LPNM director-general Mohd Khairuzamri M Salleh, UTM vice-chancellor Prof Dr Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim, Pinasweet researcher Associate Prof Dr Harisun Yaakob, and LiqoFas researcher Dr Hartinee Abbas, who is also a lecturer at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM). On LiqoFas, Isham said the foliar fertiliser was developed through a collaboration between LPNM and UUM, supported by a research grant from LPNM. The fertiliser is produced from damaged and low-grade pineapples, as well as pineapple leaves and plants, using effective microbial fermentation technology. It can accelerate the vegetative growth of pineapple plants and shorten the fruit production period.

Isham stated that the two products were among the outcomes of the Innovative Pineapple Product Development Programme under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP), which received RM4 million in development funding for various activities, including research, incentives for innovative entrepreneurs, technology transfer, and promotion. The initiative reflects a circular economy approach by turning agricultural waste into value-added products, while reducing waste and supporting sustainable production.

Isham also urged that research findings be taken beyond the laboratory and accelerated towards commercialisation and market penetration to create a direct economic impact for local entrepreneurs. "We need to make innovation a culture in the agri-food sector - from waste to value, from research to products, and from products to economic opportunities," he said. The strategic initiative is in line with the MAHA 2026 theme, "Value Creation for Food Security," aimed at driving the local pineapple industry towards greater sustainability and global competitiveness. MAHA 2026, which runs from Aug 28 to Sept 6 at MAEPS, brings together about 2,000 exhibitors and targets more than four million visitors.