QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- Researchers from the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) expects the patent issuance for insecticide from kakawate plant known as “madre de cacao” (gliricidia sepium), Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said.

Kakawate is a tropical plant that is commonly planted as fences in agricultural lands.

De la Peña said that six years after DOST-NRCP applied for an invention patent, they see the forthcoming awarding of the invention patent on insecticide made from this plant pending the final issuance of letters patent.

The invention patent covers the use of organic compounds from the kakawate plant as an effective insecticide. In contrast, Intellectual Property Office (IPO) patent database further states that the compounds can be used to repel insects and reduce oviposition in the field during mating season to the host plant.

The use of organic chemical compounds from plants in pest management can help reduce synthetic insecticides, which are harmful to health and the environment. This can also improve crop growth and avoid the spread of diseases by repelling insects. (MBP/PIA-IDPD/DOST)