Adding Value to Vegetable Products Through Technology

Adding Value to Vegetable Products Through Technology

by Patricia M. Espino

The Pangasinan State University Bayambang Campus has long been known for its innovative research projects and products that bring recognition not only to the school, but also to the municipality. In 2015, the Department of Science and Technology in the Ilocos Region established a Food Innovation Center (FIC) inside the PSU Bayambang Campus which, up until now, has served as a space where researchers can create and develop food products.

Now, the Pangasinan State University-Department of Science and Technology Regional Office No I Food Innovation Center (PSU-DOST I FIC) is home to the technology used to create vacuum-fried okra, red onion, and squash. Vacuum-frying is defined as “a reasonably new technology which uses lower pressure and temperature rather than atmospheric deep-fat frying to improve the quality attributes of food products.” Developed by PSU instructors and lead researchers Dr. Raquel C. Pambid, Dr. Wilma M. de Vera, and Dr. Vicky C. Austria, the vacuum-fried products boast qualities that are appealing to the general public, especially the health-conscious.  Dr. Pambid explained that because of the process used in creating them, the products are natural, healthy, and non-carcinogenic. Through vacuum frying, vegetables that otherwise don’t appeal much to the taste buds, especially to children, are made tempting by giving them a delicate crunch but in a non-greasy way.

Realizing its potential, One Document Corp., with the help of the Local Government Unit of Bayambang, signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the PSU-DOST I FIC on December 19, 2017 which allows them to adopt the technology used in producing vacuum-fried okra, red onion, and squash. 1Document Corp CEO Jorge M. Yulo discussed with Mayor Cezar T. Quiambao and the researchers the possible strategies in which the products can be marketed outside of Bayambang to help add to the town’s revenue. At present, the products, including PSU-FIC’s very own tomato salsa, are now being sold in and outside the municipality as O-Krantz, packed and remodeled to be ready for export to other countries.

Bayambangueño farmers are the ones who shall benefit the most from this agreement as the key ingredients to be used are the ones that they are producing. This development signifies another step for Bayambangueños in our victory in the Revolution against Poverty.