By Jesslyn Keith Valite

As part of its mission to improve community health, the MMSU Indigenous Food Plants (IFP) - Probiotics Program team under the Research Directorate, held a forum on December 16 at the Center for Flexible Learning. The forum, titled “Harnessing the Power of Probiotics and Functional Foods: A Path to Better Health and Wellness,” focused on exploring and sharing research and innovations in probiotics and food systems.

The forum was inspired by MMSU’s current CHED-LAKAS-funded research program, “Advancing Ilocos IFP Food Systems through Academia-Industry Collaborative Research and Innovations toward Healthy Food Security.” This initiative seeks to reduce malnutrition rates and enhance food security by unlocking the full potential of probiotics derived from the rich Indigenous Food Plants (IFPs) unique to the Ilocos Region. Through strong academia-industry collaboration, the project aims to modernize and innovate in fields such as food science, pharmacy, and food technology, to advance sustainable and health-focused solutions for the region and beyond.

One of the forum’s highlights was a presentation by Professor Anil Kumar Anal from the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand. He shared his expertise on sustainable food systems, discussing the complex challenges posed by food insecurity and its impact on human health. Professor Anal emphasized the critical role probiotics and functional foods play in improving food systems, noting, “Through scientific evidence, we can make food systems healthier and more sustainable.” His insights showed how science can drive positive, long-term changes in public health and food systems globally.

The forum also included a roundtable discussion, encouraging open dialogue among attendees to share ideas and research on probiotics and food systems. Faculty, staff, and students from the pharmacy, biology, and food technology programs contributed, offering their perspectives on how these fields can shape a more sustainable and health-focused future.

MMSU OIC-President Prima Fe R. Franco emphasized that studying probiotics and functional foods is "key to better health and wellness." She stressed the importance of this research, noting that in a world striving for optimal health, it is essential to explore and advance our understanding of these critical areas.

MMSU continues to lead efforts in harnessing the potential of probiotics and functional foods, particularly in the Ilocos Region. These ongoing initiatives aim to combat malnutrition and food insecurity while fostering effective collaboration between academia and industry to drive innovation in sustainable, health-focused food systems.