The University’s College of Arts and Sciences, through its DOST-funded PULSES Project in collaboration with Herbanext Laboratories, won First Place for Outstanding Poster in the Basic and Industrial Microbiology Category at the 32nd Philippine Society for Microbiology (PSM) Visayas Regional Scientific Meeting and Convention held on October 23 to 24 at the Iloilo Grand Hotel.
PULSES (Processing and Utilization of Lagundi and Legumes via Simple and Economical Strategies) is a collaborative initiative between the College of Arts and Sciences, Biology Department faculty, students, alumni, and Herbanext Laboratories.
The winning study’s poster titled, “Bacterial-Mediated Transformation of Phytochemical and Sensory Properties in Fermented Philippine Medicinal Herb,” was presented by Vermilah Despi and Jay Mark D. Guntalidad, both BS Biology alumni and Research Assistants under the project.
This research was led by Dr. Joval N. Martinez, under the SPC-Fuel for Health Program headed by Dr. Jonel P. Saludes of the University of San Agustin. Team members include Trixia Rhuce B. Celiz, Andrea Nicole C. Farol, Angela Belle D. Ariola, Christianne Mae A. Dela Cruz, and Kyle Patrick D. Taruc, all from USLS, along with collaborators Phil Aidan C. Cruz and Philip C. Cruz of Herbanext Laboratories.
Focusing on bacterial fermentation, the study examines how microbial processes can enhance the phytochemical and sensory properties of Philippine medicinal herbs, supporting potential applications in natural product development and functional food research.
Another USLS team joined the Food and Medical Microbiology Category with their study titled “Optimizing Fermentation Conditions of Visayan Shrimp Paste (Bagoong): Physicochemical, Sensory, and Microbial Evaluation of Claypot and Sack Fermentation.”
The group was composed of Patricia Milet B. Tupaz, Daisy Cris V. Gentoleo, Babylyn M. Miraflores, and Aleya Mey J. Prino, conducted their research under the mentorship of Ms. Gabrielle Ann P. Parreño as their Adviser and Dr. Joval N. Martinez as their Co-Adviser, in collaboration with Michael Vincent E. Chan, the owner of Mom Rose Restaurant.