Category: Research and Development

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FPRDI to develop incense from forest product residues

FOREST PRODUCTS. This undated photo shows barks, leaves, and resins of forest species after oil extraction that will be used by the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) in developing incense products using hydrosols and solid residues in Laguna. The FPRDI will also study the incense products' ability to repel insects. (Photo courtesy of FPRDI director Romulo Aggangan)

MANILA – The Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) is currently developing incense products using residues from extracted and processed forest materials, its chief announced Friday.

“We are targeting to develop incense cones and incense sticks, using hydrosols and solid residues from barks, leaves and resins of raw materials or forest species after oil extraction,” FPRDI director Romulo Aggangan told the Philippine News Agency in an interview.

Aside from being fragrant, the incense products will be assessed to determine their ability to repel insects such as mosquitoes, flies, and ants.

“Once the prototype products are developed and optimized, their ability to repel insects will be tested. After filing for IP (intellectual property) protection, (product) piloting and technology adoption will follow,” he said.

Aggangan pointed out that these products are both fragrant and may also be used as an insect repellant. Hydrosols will be used as a liquid ingredient instead of plain water, thus making it aromatic.

He added that the product’s ability to repel insects is likely since the raw materials to be used are known to have that capability.

The FPRDI has allocated PHP612,000 this year for this study, which started in January 2022 and will run until December 2023.

This study is part of the FPRDI’s Flavors and Fragrances from the Forest Technology Program (F3TP) that seeks to explore and utilize non-timber and timber forest products, by conducting and producing research and development (R&D) innovations and products.

Through the F3TP, the FPRDI has been exploring healthcare and aromatherapy products such as essential oils, salves, bar, and liquid hand soaps, spray mist, massage oils, foot deodorants, and lotions using extracted cinnamon oils and hydrosol.

Aggangan said trial production of soaps, lotions, massage oils, and foot deodorants is ongoing. By the second quarter of this year, the FPRDI will start the sensory testing for these products.

In a taped report aired on Friday, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said that through the F3TP, the FPRDI will be developing by-products that will not only lessen waste accumulation but also become a potential source of income for local communities and industries.

“The anticipated volume of process residues is greater at the commercial scale, thus the need to explore other possible uses for these wastes. If not managed properly, the accumulated wastes can pose possible environmental problems,” De la Peña said.

Original news post found on this link https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1170137

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P229.5-M eyed for R&D on fragrances, flavors from forest

FRAGRANCE. Using extracted cinnamon oils and hydrosol, the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) was able to develop liquid soap, foot deodorant, and massage oil. The Institute eyes allocating PHP229.5 million to explore on fragrances and flavors from forest products. (Photo courtesy of FPRDI Director Romulo Aggangan) 

MANILA – For the next five years, some PHP229.5 million is being eyed as budget for research and development (R&D) to explore on fragrances and flavors from forest products.

“We embark on exploring and utilizing non-timber and timber forest products, by conducting and producing R&D innovations and products,” Director Romulo Aggangan of the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) told the Philippine News Agency in an interview over the weekend.

The goals, he said are to develop flavors and fragrances from forest products; establish R&D facilities; and develop protocols for sustainable and responsible harvesting of these forest products for flavors and fragrances.

Further, sensory and chemical evaluation of non-timber products, socio-economic study, and technology piloting and adoption are also in the pipeline.

“Among the forest species to be studied include the Philippine cinnamons, eucalyptus, Canarium species, select species from the families of Myrtaceae and Fabaceae, as well as some fruit trees and agroforestry crops that have potentials for flavors and fragrances,” Aggangan said.

Also part of the program are studies on propagation techniques and proper harvesting of barks, leaves and other plant parts to ensure the sustainable supply of raw materials, he added.

The program, dubbed as “Fragrances and Flavors from the Forest Technology Program” (F3TP), is currently exploring on healthcare and aromatherapy products such as essential oils, salves, bar and liquid hand soaps, spray mist, massage oils, foot deodorants, lotions using extracted cinnamon oils and hydrosol.

The FPRDI has also started developing teas, flavor-infused beverages and confectioneries using bamboo and cinnamon flavors, Aggangan said.

“To achieve the above targets, the proposed budget of F3TP for the next five years or 2022-2026 totals to PHP229.5 million,” he continued, adding that upgrading the Institute’s R&D facility and capacitating its researchers will be prioritized for the next two years.

Meanwhile, Aggangan shared that based on market research firm, Lucintel, the flavor and fragrance market is expected to reach an estimated USD35.7 billion by 2025.

Likewise, in a taped report, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said that the flavor and fragrances industry “is one of the very profitable niche markets”.

“Both timber and non-timber forest products provide a multitude of flavors and fragrances. Among these include gums, resins and oils which are commercially important; and non-timber forest products and tannins which can also be extracted from barks, leaves and wood and re-used to enhance flavors of beverages like wine, beer, fruit juice and teas,” de la Peña said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1150615

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DOST-made soaps can be shared to possible adoptors

MANILA — The technical know-how on the antimicrobial soaps developed by the Department of Science and Technology-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) will be shared with entrepreneurs or possible adopters.

The FPRDI-developed products include hand soaps with natural ingredients like plants or forest products that give different scents, DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) in a message Thursday.

These products include soaps with bamboo charcoal and eucalyptus, natural-based coco liquid soaps with different scents, and antimicrobial hand mist with scents, he added.

“They (products) are now undergoing sensory evaluation and laboratory tests. Maybe these (tests) will last until end of June. By that time, (these) will probably be ready for technology transfer, most likely non-exclusive,” he said.

De la Peña said non-exclusive means more than one enterprise could acquire the technology under the DOST guidelines for technology transfer.

“The availability of the technologies for transfer will be announced. There will be criteria in selecting the adoptors,” he said.

Information on the process and raw materials sources will be given to adopters.

“That includes training on manufacture. Dermatological tests and FDA (Food and Drug Administration) will be the responsibility of enterprise adopters,” he explained.

De la Peña also clarified that the DOST will not compete in selling these FPRDI-developed products.

“Our institutes develop technologies and products. The commercial production and product selling are done by enterprise adopters,” he said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1103577

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5 Most expensive essential oils

Throughout history, gathering from nature and creating extractions for medicinal purposes has been a way humans have sought to cure themselves of ailments and illness. Essential oils, containing the aroma of a particular fruit or plant, have been in use since the 13th century. These volatile oils were used primarily in medicine.

Aromatherapy and the extracts use has increased and now we find them in cosmetics, perfumes, soaps and many other products, even as flavouring foods and drinks.

Cannabis Flower Essential Oil

Now here’s an interesting one, the Cannabis Flower essential oil, also known as hemp essential oil. It’s main use is in cosmetics, perfumes, soaps and candles for its pleasant, relaxing smell. It’s used as well to flavor some foods or beverages.

The plant itself, though is known to have medicinal uses, like alleviating inflammations, skin irritations or hormonal imbalances, it’s highly regulated so growing it in many parts of the world is illegal. That’s what makes it very popular to some and the oil extracted from it so expensive with a price of $946 per ounce.

Frangipani Absolute Oil

The Frangipani flower is a rare species, found only on the Comoros Islands in France. The oil extract is very thick and has an intense sweet floral fragrance, with hints of exotic spices, making it a main component of high class perfumery.

Besides perfumes, the Frangipani Absolute Essential oil has medicinal uses as well, reducing stress and inflammations. The price for an ounce of this oil reaches a staggering $1,482

Tuberose Absolute Oil

The Tuberose is a perennial plant cultivated in Mexico with extracts of it used in perfumery. Its oil is extracted by infusing the petals in palm oil, separated afterwards from the tuberose essence through the process of evaporation.

The Tuberose Absolute Essential oil is considered a luxurious oil and it’s used in aromatherapy for or in fragrances. The relaxation properties make it a great help against insomnia, though some use it for inspiration purposes and even as an aphrodisiac. Whatever the use, make sure it’s worth it, since an ounce of this oil costs a great $1,645.

Champaca Absolute Oil

Used for centuries as a great way to cure depression and relieve stress, vertigo or headaches, the Champaca Absolute Essential Oils seems to be one of the best when it comes to medicinal purposes. It has regenerative properties, helping with wounds from acne, spots, wrinkles and complexions.

Its powerful citrus and floral scent is much appreciated in India and parts of Asia where it is also used as a perfume and as a powerful aphrodisiac. A very expensive one, since the price per ounce is a staggering $2,256, making it the most expensive essential oils in the world.

Agarwood Absolute Oil

The Agarwood Essential oil, also known as Oud oil, it’s an extremely rare and much appreciated oil for its great aroma and medicinal uses. As the name states, it’s extracted from the agarwood, which is listed as a potential threatened species, making it one of the most expensive raw materials in the world.

The trees require a long time to grow and they’re found only in isolated regions of countries like The Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, India, Bhutan, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and a few others. The sweet, woody fragrance of the oil is praised so much that the price for an ounce of this oil goes to $4,850.

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DOST-FPRDI seeks to protect native cinnamons

DOST-FPRDI’s Ms. Florena B. Samiano (left) assists a team of bark harvesters in Boljoon, Cebu working on the project ‘Technology Adoption on Proper Harvesting and Utilization of Philippine Cinnamon.

According to Ms. Samiano, “Since the project started three years ago, the team has studied how the bark of two types of local cinnamon (Mindanao cinnamon and kalingag) grows back after being stripped and made recommendations based on this, looked into the chemical content of the bark oils, and assessed the local market for cinnamon products.”

She adds, “We have tried to find high-yielding yet sustainable ways of harvesting local cinnamon bark, as stripping the bark the wrong way can harm or kill the tree. Our aim is to help forest communities earn more while being able to better protect our very own cinnamons.”

The cinnamon tree is known for its sweet-smelling bark and leaves which are used around the world for food flavoring and medicine. Native species grow in Camarines Norte, Cebu and Mindanao.

In 2011, the country imported 29,000 kilos of cinnamon while exporting 6,000 kilos. The tree is also ideal for restoring deforested areas. Despite these benefits, however, very little is known about Philippine cinnamons.

The study was funded by the Foreign-Assisted and Special Projects Service of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 

Original news posted found on the link below.

https://fprdi.dost.gov.ph/360-dost-fprdi-seeks-to-protect-native-cinnamons