CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-10, through its research and development initiative, funded Xavier University’s (XU) research project on the formulation of microbial cocktails from Indigenous Microorganisms (IMOs) as alternative to conventional pesticides and as biodegradation-enhancers for compostable wastes.

DOST-10, through the Northern Mindanao Consortium for Health Research and Development (NorMinCoHRD), provided capacity building activities to help the researchers in developing an outcome- and impact-oriented research project. The agency released an amount of over P1.4 million pesos to XU to implement the research.

The use of microbial cocktails from IMOs as an alternative to conventional pesticides for house flies and crop pathogens will be investigated in the study. The formulated microbial cocktails will also be studied for its characteristics as biodegradation-enhancers for compostable wastes.

The research aims to promote sustainable and environment-friendly alternatives to traditional practices utilizing chemical agents. The study will also provide evidence in controlled laboratory conditions to support the practice of the usage of IMOs. The use of IMOs will provide sustainable, cost-effective, and natural alternative for farmers. In turn, these farmers would be able to enter a space of the growing health-oriented community of consumers and be the first line of prevention of possible disease transmission.

Regional Director Alfonso P. Alamban of DOST-10 congratulated the research team for coming up with a satisfactorily crafted research proposal that prompted the agency to provide support to the implementing university. Director Alamban also hopes for more research and development collaborations with XU.

The research team is led by Dr. Astrid L. Sinco, Chairperson of XU’s Biology Department. Paolo Antonio S. Fudalan, Carl Ian John Hallazgo, Reggie Ladera, and Bryan D. Dulongan of the same department are also involved in the study. XU’s Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Judy P. Sendaydiego, is also part of the competent research team.

Through the study, the researchers hope to raise awareness among small-scale farmers and local communities on the potential use of locally produced microbial alternatives to conventional pesticides, insecticides, and fertilizers for a more sustainable and environment-friendly agricultural and domestic sanitation practice.

Microbial cocktails or inoculants from locally collected IMOs with specific properties (antimicrobial, muscicidal, and biodegradation activities) have the potential to be field-tested and commercialized. These products will then hopefully compete with similar products dominating the market imported from South Korea and Japan.

DOST-10 provides technical and financial support to researchers from various institutions in the region for research and development projects. Interested researchers may submit their proposals to the agency for possible funding.  (DOST-10/PIA-10)