 |
|
      |
|
GALLERY |
Photo Releases > 2008 BAR Seminar Series: Indigenous Plants and Food plants
2008 BAR Seminar Series: Indigenous Plants and Food plants4F RDMIC Bldg., Visayas Ave., Diliman, Quezon City
|
 |
 |
| The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) continues the seminar series for 2008 featuring two significant topics on 1) “Food Plants as Source of Nutraceuticals and Cosmeceuticals Ingredients”; and 2) “Prospects of Spa Industry Using Indigenous Plants in the Philippines”. |
 |
| Dr. Evelyn B. Rodriguez of the Institute of Chemistry at the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) is the resource speaker for the first seminar with her presentation titled, “Exploiting Food Plant Biodiversity for the Production of Nutraceutical and Cosmeceutical Ingredients and Products.” |
 |
| In Dr. Rodriguez’ presentation, she identified some functional foods from plants. According to her, potential disease-preventive mechanisms are mostly found in fruits and vegetables and their constituents (phytochemicals) as identified in human dietary studies. |
 |
| She also entices participants to “simply keep it colorful, eat a rainbow of colors” referring to the color group vegetables and fruits in getting more phytochemicals in our daily diet. |
 |
| Dr. Rodriguez explains to Dr. Teodoro S. Solsoloy (right) the promising potentials of rice bran and its oil which could be among the most important sources of functional food components/nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals available in the world today. As a functional food, rice bran provides health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Already, it is dubbed as the “new super food” owing to its amazing number of nutrients. |
 |
| Meanwhile, Ms. Marjorie Lopingco, president of the Spa Association of the Philippines, Inc. (SAPI), is the invited speaker for the second seminar with her presentation titled “The Health and Wellness Industry”. SAPI, a non-profit organization, was established to uplift, promote, develop, and standardized the spa industry in the country. According to Lopingco the “SPAmania” is now reaching on about US$24.3 B earnings. For the Philippines, a 7.9% growth rate has been noted per year with a 71% increase since 1999. This was able to generate 1,069 jobs or an average of 53 jobs per spa facility. |
 |
| Lopingco introduces some of the indigenous plants producing oils and local essences. |
The BAR SEMINAR SERIES is a regular activity of BAR to serve as a venue for exchange of information and knowledge, trends, challenges, and opportunities in the agriculture and fisheries R&D sector. For inquiries and invitation please contact Ms. Julia A. Lapitan of the Management Information System Division (MISD), BAR, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City or give her a call at tel. no. (02) 928-8624 local 3012 or email jlapitan@bar.gov.ph
 |
 |