8 Out of 10 Vinegar Brands Synthetic, “Fake”, Isotope Studies Show
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A PNRI researcher conducting analysis of vinegar samples using the liquid scintillation counter
8 Out of 10 Vinegar Brands Synthetic, “Fake”, Isotope Studies Show
Recent studies on hundreds of vinegar samples in the Philippines showed that most of these products are “fake” and not made from natural sources.
Researchers from the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) used isotope-based analytical techniques to determine that from more than 360 samples of vinegar in the Philippines, 8 out of 10 are made from synthetic acetic acid.
“Condiments usually undergo the process of fermentation, and the raw materials must come from fruits and other natural products,” said Mr. Raymond Sucgang, Section Head of the PNRI Nuclear Analytical Techniques Applications Section.
His team’s research project distinguishes vinegar and other condiments from natural or plant-based sources from those which are derived from petroleum-based sources.
“One can only imagine all the impurities and residues from the petroleum by-products, which can be the source of various degenerative diseases,” said Mr. Sucgang.
Isotope techniques help to detect the adulteration in vinegar through radiocarbon assay using carbon-14. The natural vinegar coming from plants will have traces of carbon with natural radioactivity, unlike those made from synthetic raw materials.
The results of the vinegar studies are being submitted to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and will hopefully serve as a basis for the development of a new Vinegar Standards of the Philippines.
PNRI researchers are also developing isotope analytical techniques for use in detecting synthetic by-products in other condiments such as ketchup, fish sauce or patis, and soy sauce or toyo. State-of-the-art equipment such as the liquid scintillation counter and the isotope ratio mass spectrometer will be used to study the isotope composition of these condiments, particularly carbon-13 and nitrogen-15.
Meanwhile, the Institute continues to open its services to customers from various sectors on the use of its nuclear analytical techniques for their products. PNRI’s analytical laboratories and services are certified under ISO 17025:2005 and under ISO 9001:2015.
Read More: FDA sets crackdown on traders of fake vinegar (from Manila Standard)
PNRI Scientist Awarded as DOST Woman Leader During Women’s Month
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PNRI Scientist Awarded as DOST Woman Leader During Women’s Month
PNRI Scientist and Atomic Research Division Chief Dr. Lucille Abad (2nd from left) was among several awardees acknowledged as Women Leaders of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) during the Women's Month Celebration on March 19 at the Hotel Jen Manila, Pasay City.
The award was presented by DOST Secretary Fortunato De La Peña (2nd from right), DOST Undersecretary for Scientific and Technical Services Dr. Carol Yorobe (extreme right) and Director Elizabeth Fontanilla of the DOST Administrative and Legal Service (extreme left).
Dr. Abad is a Career Scientist II under the Scientific Career System, and a Civil Service Commission Dangal ng Bayan Awardee. A specialist in radiation chemistry, she served as lead country and national project coordinator for various projects by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) involving radiation processing for agricultural, industrial and medical purposes.
She was previously the head of the PNRI Chemistry Research Section, and among her major R&D projects are the Carrageenan Plant Growth Promoter for increasing the yield of rice and other crops, and the Hydrogel Wound Dressing for burns, wounds and bedsores.
The National Women's Month celebration every March is part of the worldwide celebration of International Women's Day every March 8.
With selected photos from DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute
PNRI Hosts Balik Scientist for Nuclear Medicine
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PNRI Hosts Balik Scientist for Nuclear Medicine
Dr. Thomas Neil Pascual (bottom photo, right), formerly of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) signs a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the Balik Scientist Program with Dr. Carlo A. Arcilla (bottom photo, left), Director of the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) at the PNRI compound in Diliman, Quezon City.
An expert in nuclear medicine, Dr. Pascual will collaborate with PNRI under the national health R&D agenda in the field of nuclear and radiation applications in medicine.
He joined the IAEA in 2012 and was in charge of capacity building projects in Africa as well as in Asia and the Pacific region.
His pioneering work in nuclear medicine includes the establishment of the first nuclear medicine facility in Cambodia and the conduct of nuclear medicine training at the St. Luke's Medical Center.
The Balik Scientist Program is an initiative of the DOST since 1975 that aims to encourage Filipino, experts, scientists and researchers based in foreign countries to return to the Philippines and contribute their expertise to the improvement of various fields and sectors.
PNRI Features Nuclear S & T at the House of Representatives
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House Deputy Speaker Linabelle Ruth Villarica and Representatives Francis Gerald Abaya and Arlene Arcillas are joined by DOST Secretary Fortunato De La Peña and PNRI Director Dr. Carlo Arcilla during the opening of the Nuclear Science and Technology Exhibit at the North Wing Annex of the House of Representatives on January 28, 2018.
DOST Secretary Fortunato De La Peña and Representative Francis Gerald Abaya listens intently as a PNRI researcher explains the benefits and advantages of the PNRI-developed Hydrogel Dressing for burns, wounds and bedsores.
PNRI Features Nuclear S & T at the House of Representatives
Featuring the latest Filipino-developed nuclear and radiation applications to the very halls of the Philippine legislature, the the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) held an exhibit on nuclear science and technology on January 28-30 at the North Wing Annex of the House of Representatives.
The nuclear S & T exhibit was hosted in coordination with the House Committee on Science and Technology, chaired by Representative Erico Aristotle Aumentado.
DOST Secretary Fortunato De La Peña and PNRI Director Dr. Carlo Arcilla were joined by several representatives during the opening of exhibits on January 28, particularly House Deputy Speaker Linabelle Ruth Villarica as well as Representatives Francis Gerald Abaya of the 1st District of Cavite, Arlene Arcillas of the 1st District of Laguna and Strike Revilla of the 2nd District of Cavite.
The lawmakers expressed their strong support for measures that will ensure the safe and peaceful uses of nuclear science in the country. In particular, the House has already passed on third reading the bill for the Comprehensive Nuclear Regulation Act, aiming to establish an independent nuclear regulatory body for the Philippines.
“Beyond serving as a showcase of Filipino ingenuity, this exhibit also serves as a wake-up call to us lawmakers to be more supportive to the research and development sector,” said Representative Abaya, who delivered the keynote address during the opening ceremonies, and was one of the earliest authors of the consolidated bill.
“I am confident that through this exhibit, the legislators and staff can better appreciate the role of science in general, and more so by nuclear and radiation applications, in contributing to the collective prosperity of our country,” he said.
Among the technologies featured by PNRI are its award-winning Carrageenan Plant Growth Promoter which increases the yield of crops, development of mutant varieties of plants with improved qualities, radiation-processed medical products such as Hydrogel Dressing for burns, wounds and bedsores and radiation-processed hemostats for stopping bleedings.
PNRI also presented its service facilities such as the Cobalt-60 Multipurpose Irradiation Facility, the Electron Beam Irradiation Facility, as well as its regulatory functions and emergency preparedness and response capabilities.
