From furniture, equipment and fiber products from wood, bamboo and other forest resources, the Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI) is now into new products: hand and liquid soaps, and hand mists. What’s more, these goods are among the basic essentials at this time of coronavirus pandemic.
Exploring the vast potential of the Philippines’ local forest resources, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) agency has developed personal-care products which are useful in maintaining personal hygiene amid the Covid-19 scourge.
Dr. Jennifer P. Tamayo, research team leader, said, “The results of DOST-FPRDI’s previous and on-going studies on bamboo charcoal and bamboo-activated carbon were useful in making these persona-care products.”
“The bamboo-activated carbon helps remove microorganisms, such as germs, by absorbing them. While the Institute has yet to study sapang and tawa-tawa thoroughly, available literature point to their antimicrobial properties,” she added.
The antimicrobial liquid hand soaps were formulated using cinnamon and bamboo-activated carbon, with lavender and Manila elemi oil scents.
The hand bar soaps, meanwhile, used bamboo charcoal, bamboo-activated carbon, sapang and tawa-tawa, with eucalyptus oil scent.
The antimicrobial hand mists for disinfection in the absence of soap and water were made from cinnamon—a proven natural disinfectant— and infused with either lavender or Manila elemi oil scent.
According to Tamayo, bioassay testing and sensory test are being done to further study the products.
DOST-FPRDI aims to partner with local bamboo-based companies to speed-up the production of these anti-microbial soaps.
“Maintaining personal hygiene, such as through washing and sanitizing of hands, is deemed an important step in preventing the spread of diseases. As Covid-19 cases continue to rise in some areas of the country, DOST-FPRDI will look for more ways to help protect the public against this global pandemic,” said FPRDI Director Romulo T. Aggangan.
Besides Tamayo, the research team includes Rebecca B. Lapuz, Rowena E. Ramos, Benjo S. Salvatierra, Rogelio O. Rantael Jr., Kim Wilmer B. Balagot, Kimberly B. Delica, Audel V. Mosteiro, Kristopher R. Breis and Alexis B. Dorado.
Apple Jean C. Martin-de Leon/S&T Media Service
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