10/06/2026
๐๐ข๐ข๐: ๐ก๐ฉ๐ฆ๐จ ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ ๐ข๐ณ๐ณ ๐ก๐ฒ๐ ๐ฅ&๐ ๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ท๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐๐น๐๐ฐ๐ผ๐๐ฒ- ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ผ๐น๐ฒ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ผ๐น-๐๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐บ๐บ๐๐ป๐ผ๐บ๐ผ๐ฑ๐๐น๐ฎ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ง๐ผ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ผ ๐ฃ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ป
The excessive supply of crops, particularly tomatoes, often results in large volumes being discarded or sold at very low prices due to limited market demand and the preference of buyers for freshly harvested produce. This recurring oversupply problem leads to significant losses for farmers and highlights the need for innovative ways to add value to agricultural products.
To address this concern, Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU), in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology โ Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD), successfully conducted the inception meeting for the newly approved project titled "Preclinical Evaluation of Glucose- and Cholesterol-Lowering Activities and Immunomodulatory Effects of Natural Pectin from Tomato" on June 9, 2026, at the NVSU RET Conference Hall in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, and via Zoom.
The project is headed by Project Leader Mark C. Balonquita, with Project Staff Reymund C. Derilo and Jennylin C. Balagtas.
With a total funding allocation of โฑ999,997.70 and a one-year implementation period, the project aims to utilize pectin extracted from surplus tomatoes and evaluate its potential effects on hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia, and immune response in experimental animals. Through this initiative, the study seeks to transform excess tomatoes into a value-added bioactive resource with potential pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.
The inception meeting, facilitated by DOST-PCHRD, served as a platform to align stakeholders on the project's objectives, implementation plans, and financial and administrative requirements. The activity was attended by the project team and heads of the University's administrative offices.