Honey, it’s true: 2023 Pagasa Award goes to DOST’s honey-testing nuclear researchers
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Pres. Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (middle) confers to Dr. Dr. Angel T. Bautista VII (third from right) and Mr. Norman DS. Mendoza (rightmost) the 2023 CSC Pagasa Award (Group Category) of the Civil Service Commission’s Search for Outstanding Government Workers. (Photo courtesy of the Civil Service Commission)
Honey, it’s true
2023 Pagasa Award goes to DOST’s honey-testing nuclear researchers
The labels may say pure honey in the bottle but there is a highly accurate way to check the authenticity of this sweet bee-produced food. In a study that examined local and imported honey from local supermarkets, the research team from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) used a nuclear analytical technique to determine the authenticity of honey.
In particular, the Internal Standard Stable Carbon Isotope Ratio Analysis or ISCIRA, detects honey adulteration by checking the levels of so-called C4 sugars such as cane and corn syrups. This technique, being fool-proof in nature, is tagged as the “international gold standard” in honey authenticity tests.
To be considered authentic, the honey sample should have an ISCIRA index of not lower than -1 ‰.
The updating of the Philippine standard on honey using this nuclear technology shows the government’s serious effort in stepping up food safety in the country.
Moreover, the country’s honey industry is expected to recover and improve from its annual loss of Php 225 million due to fraud and adulterated honey which has been dominating the Philippine market.
For such extensive work on honey authenticity the research team, led by Dr. Angel T. Bautista VII and Mr. Norman DS. Mendoza, clinched the 2023 CSC Pagasa Award (Group Category) of the Civil Service Commission’s Search for Outstanding Government Workers. Conferring the award on February 14 at the Ceremonial Hall in Malacañang Palace was no less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
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Nuclear technologies for disaster preparedness featured at Senate exhibit of HANDA Pilipinas
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DOST-PNRI Director Dr. Carlo Arcilla demonstrates the PNRI exhibits in radiological emergency preparedness and response to DOST Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr., Senate Secretary Atty. Renato Bantug Jr., and other legislative officials and staff.
The sounding of the buzzer signals the opening of the HANDA Pilipinas exhibit at the Senate of the Philippines.
Nuclear technologies for disaster preparedness featured at Senate exhibit of HANDA Pilipinas
Legislators and other government officials bore witness the potential of nuclear and radiation technologies for disaster risk reduction and management as the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) joined the Senate exhibit of HANDA Pilipinas from March 4 to 7, 2024.
DOST Secretary Renato Solidum, Jr. and Senate Secretary Atty. Renato Bantug Jr. led legislative officials and staff in visiting the technologies featured by PNRI and its sister agencies, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.
DBM officials visit nuclear and radiation facilities at DOST-PNRI
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Dr. Carlo Arcilla and Dr. Vallerie Samson (first row, 12th and 11th from left, respectively) with PNRI officials and staff joined by distinguished guests from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM): Director Vivien Labastilla (1st row, 9th from right), Chief Budget and Management Specialist Mr. Reinier Subijam (1st row, 7th from right), Acting Supervising Budget and Management Specialist Ms. Elsa Tagufa (1st row, 4th from right), and Ms. Francesca Paula Discipulo, Budget and Management Specialist (1st row, 8th from right).
DBM officials visit nuclear and radiation facilities at DOST-PNRI
Witnessing firsthand a key outcome of its sound, efficient and effective management of government resources, officials from the Department of Budget and Management were treated to a showcase of the latest national developments in nuclear science and technology during their visit to the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI).
The officials and staff toured the various research and service facilities of PNRI on February 19, 2024, particularly the Philippine Research Reactor - 1 Subcritical Assembly for Training, Education and Research (PRR-1 SATER), the PhilGAMMA Multipurpose Irradiation Facility, and the soon-to-rise Nuclear Medicine Research and Innovation Center.
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Nuclear Technologies for Disaster Preparedness at AGRIDAM 2024
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Uniformed personnel listening to a brief explanation on the potential use of radiation-processed hemostats during accidents and disaster response
A PNRI science research specialist explaining the use of isotope analytical techniques for water resources during flooding and other natural hazards to Sanchez Mira Mayor Abraham Bagasin
Nuclear Technologies for Disaster Preparedness at AGRIDAM 2024
The benefits of the Atom are back in the North, as DOST-Philippine Nuclear Research Institute features its nuclear and radiation-based technologies designed to meet the challenges of natural hazards and disaster preparedness during the AGRIDAM 2024 exposition at Sanchez Mira, Cagayan.
These technologies include radiation-processed hemostats for controlling bleeding in emergency and medical settings, nuclear analytical techniques for water resources, and the establishment of radiation monitoring stations across the country. PNRI’s own researchers and experts explained these innovations to representatives of various local government units, disaster risk reduction and management offices, and students.
Read more: Nuclear Technologies for Disaster Preparedness at AGRIDAM 2024
