A researcher in Zamboanga City had recently received a grant worth Seven-Hundred Fifteen Thousand, Five Hundred Three Pesos (₱715,503.00) to develop studies on the active food packaging films from Calamansi Peels and Cacao Pods.
Active packaging was defined by Alamsi (2020) as packaging materials made by incorporating the active components for food preservation such as antioxidants and antimicrobial agents to the packaging material, rather than a direct application of these components into food. Essential oils, which is known to exhibit both antioxidant and antimicrobial properties are being added to packaging films in order to convert the films into active packaging.
The study is expected to optimize cacao-calamansi mixtures for the production of active packaging films, and to develop active food packaging films from cacao and calamansi loaded with encapsulated lemon grass oil and calamansi oil within the course of one (1) year.
The grant will be utilized to obtain the necessary provisions, supplies and materials, and chemical reagents for extraction of essential oils and production of active packaging films.
Leading the study is Ms. Julienne Stephanie F. Agapin, a graduate of Master of Science in Chemistry in 2016 from the University of the Philippines – Visayas in 2016 and a product of the same institution with a degree of Chemistry.
The grant was awarded by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) through the Zamboanga Consortium for Health Research and Development – Regional Research Fund (ZCHRD-RRF).
The DOST, through its various R&D councils, provides funding for studies in designing, implementing, and managing research projects.
Regular staff and faculty members of research institutes, medical and allied health sciences, hospitals, and other health-related agencies are encouraged to submit research proposals to the ZCHRD secretariat via electronic mail.
For more information on ZCHRD - RRF, please call (062) 991-1024 or text 0995 1548 865 and look for Marielle Atilano, or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/DOSTRegion9 (Marielle R. Atilano, DOST IX Press Release).
