With the theme “Achieving Health-related Sustainable Development Goals through Research and Innovation”, the Philippine National Health Research System celebrated a week-long annual activity on August 13 to 16, 2019 at the City of Golden Friendship, Cagayan de Oro City. The theme of the PNHRS Week is part of the contribution of a bigger spectrum which is achieving the health-related sustainable development goals (SDGs) by the year 2030. One of the sessions of the PNHRS Week is the inter-regional consortium contest for poster and oral research both for Student and Graduate categories.
Davao Region takes pride that amongst the research contests and categories, four entries from last year’s winners during the Regional Health Research and Development Consortium XI (RHRDC XI) Expo were shortlisted. Two of the shortlisted researches won 1st Prize during the contest. The research entitled “Utilization of Mango Seed Kernel for the Development of Antimicrobial Films” presented by Ms. Mary Grace L. Alimpolos from the University of the Philippines Mindanao won the 1st place under the Student Category for Oral Presentation. Her study is about the use of mango starch from mango seed kernels, a common waste from a mango processing plant. With the addition of carrageenan and carvacrol, a biodegradable packaging material that inhibits the growth of Escherichia coli was produced.
The research of the group of Ms. Via Angela Bulangis from the University of the Immaculate Conception entitled “Isolation, Characterization, and In-Vitro HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitory Activity of Pectin Powder from the Peel of Calamansi” won the 1st place under the Student Category for Poster Exhibit. The study is about the usage of pectin powder isolated from the peel of Calamasi and determination of its 3 hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitory activity.
Two young researchers from the University of Immaculate Conception were also able to make it in the shortlisted entries represent the Region namely: Ms. Nelyn Cadotdot who presented the research entitled "Investigation of Possible Inhibitory Action of Philippine Crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) Serum on HIV-1 infectivity in-vitro to and After Attachment to human Peripheral Blood mononuclear cells" under the Oral Presentation - Graduate category and Ms. Charity P. Redaniel who presented the research entitled "Evaluation of the Anti-inflammatory Potential of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao) and Pomelo (Citrus maxima) Leaf Extract through Lipoxygenase Inhibition with Emulsion-gel Preparation" under the Poster Exhibit - Graduate category
These awards only show that Davao Region continues to build its pool of experts through these young researchers. The consortium hopes that the present generation will continue to be champion in research dedicated to improving the health condition of the people.
By MDMC