Milkfish bone good material for polvoron?

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna -- Don't look now, but bangus bone ("tinik") can be made into calcium-rich and protein-packed polvoron.

This was one of the fisheries and aquatic products exhibited during the recent celebration of the 12th anniversary of the Los Baños-based Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD).

Headed by Executive Director Rafael D. Guerrero III, PCAMRD is the sectoral planning council of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) that coordinates aquatic and marine resources research in the country.

Dr. Laurentina Calmorin of the Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College (NIPSC) in Estancia, Iloilo, elucidated on the technology at a science forum also held during the PCAMRD affair.

NIPSC was among the members of the PCAMRD-coordinated National Aquatic Resources Research and Development System (NARRDS) that exhibited developed products and mature technologies during the anniversary celebration.

Dr. Calmorin reported that the majority of panelists who evaluated the acceptability of the odor, color flavor, and texture of milkfish bones polvoron (MBP) made by NIPSC graded the product as "like very much."

The ingredients in making MBP are milkfish bone powder, all-purpose flour, powdered milk, sugar, butter, and vanilla exract.

The NIPSC professor averred that since milkfish bones polvoron is very much acceptable, saleable, and profitable, a livelihood project of boneless bangus and MBP in every town where milkfish is abundant is highly recommended to augment the income of rural folk.

She also suggested the following:

* A study on the shelf life of milkfish bones polvoron so that expiry date can be determined.

* Analysis on the nutritive values of MBP so that these values be reflected in the label nutrition facts as information to consumers.

* Microbial test of milkfish bones polvoron.

* Study on the best packaging of MBP to serve as show window to consumers.

Dr. Calmorin further said that since canned tuna, boneless siganid (danggit), and goatfish tapa are sold in commercial scale, fishbones polvoron from these fish species should also be conducted. --