Ms. Eiselle Joyce R. Hidalgo, a PhD Biology student of the UST Graduate School, presented the preliminaries of her dissertation at the 22nd World Congress of Food Science and Technology titled “Optimizing Grain Bran Quality: A Meta-Analysis of Irradiation Dosages’ Impact on Structural, Chemical, and Biochemical Functionalities鈥�. Her study focused on the potential of irradiation, specifically gamma and electron beam technologies, to improve the biofunctional properties of grain brans, including antioxidant activity and shelf life. In collaboration with the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI), Hidalgo under the supervision of her research advisers Dr. Elizabeth H. Arenas and Dr. Pia Marie S.P. Albano, aims to explore the sustainability of irradiation as a food preservation method for the utilization of food waste as functional food ingredients.
Meanwhile, Dr. Elizabeth H. Arenas, presented a poster titled “Alpha-Glucosidase and Alpha-Amylase Inhibitory Activity, Toxicity, and Phytochemical Analysis of Philippine Pili (Canarium Ovatum Engl.) Oils,” which highlighted the potential health benefits of pili oils. This research funded by the DOST鈥揚CHRD, was co-authored by Dr. Maribel G. Nonato, Dr. Franelyne P. Casuga, and Dr. Ross D. Vasquez.
In addition to their research presentations, Ms. Hidalgo chaired the 鈥淔unctional Foods 2鈥� session together with Dr. Chin-Kun Wang of the Chung Shan Medical University (CSMU), Taiwan while Dr. Arenas co-chaired a session “Transforming Our Food System, The Importance of Partnership,” alongside Chair Dr. Ian Noble, Food Sector UK KTN Chair, and Senior R&D Director of Mondelez International. Dr. Arenas, a member of the executive council of the IUFoST College of Early Career Scientists, also facilitated a Pre-Congress Workshop on 鈥淵outh Action in Addressing Future Food System Challenges鈥�.
This year鈥檚 World Food Congress was organized by the International Union of Food Science and Technology (IUFoST) in coordination with the Italian Association of Food Technology (AITA). The Congress was held at the Palacongressi Di Rimini on September 8鈥�12, 2024.
