UPLB biotech products ripe for commercialization

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna ,Philippines  – Some biotechnology products developed by the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) are now being commercially produced.

Others are ripe for commercialization and, when widely adopted, can considerably boost agricultural and rural development in the country.

The mature technologies generated by the UPLB National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH) were presented to the public recently during the celebration of the institute’s 32nd anniversary.

The theme of this year’s BIOTECH foundation day was ‘BIOTECH@32: Accelerating Innovation and Technology Transfer through Multi-Stakeholder Strategic Partnership.’

In his report, Dr. Reynaldo Ebora said that BIOTECH has over the years developed biotechnology products that have widened the frontiers of agriculture and natural resources research and development (R&D) in the country.

“BIOTECH products such as Bio-N and Mykovam have already carved their niche in the biofertilizer industry and we intend to develop more environment-friendly products and technologies in the future,” he said.

Bio-N is a microbial-based fertilizer that supplies nitrogen and enhances the growth of rice, corn, and vegetables. It can provide more than half the fertilizer needs of primary agricultural food crops.

Dr. Mercedes Garcia, who developed the product, told The STAR  that 68 Bio-N manufacturing plants have been established across the country and their products are now benefiting many farmers.

Mykovam is a soil-based fertilizer for fruit trees, reforestation species, agricultural crops, and ornamentals.

Other biofertilizers developed by UPLB-BIOTECH were Biogroe (a plant growth promoter), Biofix and Bioquick (composting inocula), Bio-Green (bioorganic fertilizer), Brown Magic (growth enhancer), Nitroplus (nitrogen supplement), Kykogroe (‘tree vitamin’), and Vamri (growth promoter).

Other products developed included enzymes, Pelmictrol (mosquito larvae controller), NPV (pesticide that controls common plant pests), animal probiotics, and plant diagnostic kit (for rapid detection of specific plant diseases).