News
10/17/2016
Algae Bioinnovation Global Hub In Motion
By: Cecille H. Sarito, Ivan Henderson V. Gue, Kyle Darryl T. Aguilar
Microalgae, known locally as “lumot”, are recognized for their potential to produce high value-added products such as feeds and pharmaceuticals. Currently, Philippine microalgal industries and ventures are on the rise given the US$ 6.4 Billion market of the nutraceutical sector and the country’s ideal environment for algal biodiversity. To address the bottlenecks of the said industries, namely, the drying and cultivation processes, the USAID STRIDE CARWIN Project “Process Streamlining of the Algae Industry in the Philippines” is launched. Moreover, De La Salle University is leading a consortium of academic institutions, industry partners, and government agencies in formulating the Algae BioInnovation Global Hub (Algae BIG HUB). The Algae BIG HUB bridges the academe and the industry to promote the development and innovation of algae science and technologies in the Philippines.The project launching was held at the Roof Deck of the Henry Sy Building in De La Salle University. It was moderated by Dr. Melanie David, the Director of De La Salle University’s Center for National Sciences and Environmental Research (CENSR) and the opening remarks was delivered by Dr. Gil Nonato Santos, the Vice Chancellor of the De La Salle University – Science and Technology Complex.
Dr. David Hall, the Chief-of-Party of RTI International and USAID STRIDE, discussed on the functionalities of USAID STRIDE and its future plans with the academic institutions in the Philippines. Dr. Aristotle Ubando, the Principal Investigator of this project, presented the milestones of the project as well as the previous research works under the Phase 1 of this project, entitled “Life Cycle Assessment of Algal Biofuels in the Philippines”. Dr. Alvin Culaba, the Principal Founder of the Algae BIG Hub, presented to the stakeholders of the Hub and to the academic and government representatives the unveiling of the www.algaebighub.org website, where people may access on and learn more about algae and the Algae BIG Hub.
In addition, Mrs. Patricia Puente-Suanino, the Vice President for Marketing of AZTEC Food Growers Corporation, elaborated the function of their Corporation and their operations in producing high grade Spirulina. Mr. Maximo Ricohermoso, the President of MCPI Corporation, expounded on the aspects of the seaweed industry in the Philippines. The AZTEC Food Growers Corporation and the MCPI Corporation, which are among the main producers of Spirulina and carrageenan products, are the partners of the USAID STRIDE CARWIN project.
On the other hand, Mrs. Nieves Toledo, the Collaborator Member from the University of the Philippines-Visayas, presented their research on cultivation systems for microalgae. Lastly, Dr. Joel Cuello, the Collaborator Member from the University of Arizona and the Co-Founder of the Algae BIG Hub, delivered a talk through live feed. He provided answers and recommendations to the queries brought about during the open forum of the event.
The project is beneficial to the inclusive economic growth of the country as it addresses contemporary algal industry problems such as cultivation and drying. The Algae BIG Hub serves as a manifestation of an Algae Science and Technology Innovation Ecosystem in the Philippines. With this project, the collaboration between academic institutions and the industry serves as an initial demonstration of the Algae BIG Hub.