MMSU Functional Foods and Nutraceutical Research Center

18/03/2026

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | Universitas Gadjah Mada of Indonesia and MMSU partner for joint programs and research

By Wimbledon Bosque

New opportunities for joint academic programs and research are set to emerge after Mariano Marcos State University and Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) of Indonesia signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on March 16.

Present during the virtual MOU signing were MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano Jr., Vice President for Academic Affairs Aris Reynold Cajigal, and UGM Vice Rector for Education and Learning Wening Udasmoro, who represented UGM Rector Ova Emilia.

Dr. Manzano said he is honored to partner with UGM and stressed the importance of collaboration between the two institutions. “Partnerships like this allow us to combine our expertise and resources to deliver stronger programs, advance research, and better serve the communities in the ASEAN spirit,” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Cajigal expressed optimism that the collaboration will open opportunities for knowledge exchange and capacity building, particularly in pharmacy and food science, while allowing MMSU to learn from UGM’s established programs in these fields.

The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the two universities, including the exchange of students, professors, and research scholars; the conduct of joint research projects; and the organization of lectures, conferences, seminars, and symposia. The partnership also covers the exchange of guest faculty members and academic information and materials to enhance institutional development and management.

Under the agreement, collaborative activities will focus on programs and research centers of shared interest. For MMSU, these include the Functional Foods and Nutraceutical Research Center, the Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy program, and the Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Technology program.

Specific initiatives and activities will be implemented through separate agreements that will outline detailed plans within the overall framework of the MOU.

13/03/2026

𝐏𝐂𝐂 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐍𝐑𝐂 𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐌𝐒𝐔

Researchers and staff from the Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) visited the laboratories of the Functional Foods and Nutraceutical Research Center (FNRC) at Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) as part of their institutional visit to the University.

During the tour, the delegation explored FNRC’s research facilities and gained insights into ongoing initiatives in functional foods, nutraceutical innovation, and food-based technologies.

The visit also highlighted MMSU’s research capabilities in developing science-based solutions that support agriculture, livestock, and food innovation.

24/02/2026

𝐏𝐆𝐂 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐅𝐍𝐑𝐂: 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐂-𝐌𝐒 𝐐𝐓𝐎𝐅 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

Dr. Neil Andre D. Bascos, Program Director of the Protein, Proteomics, and Metabolomics Facility (PPMF) at the Philippine Genome Center (PGC), together with colleagues, visited the LC-MS QTOF system at Mariano Marcos State University’s Functional Foods and Nutraceutical Research Center (FNRC). The visit was conducted in collaboration with Shimadzu (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd and Shimadzu Philippines Corporation under the existing Memorandum of Understanding.

The visit highlighted the technical capabilities, analytical workflows, and application development of the LC-MS QTOF platform in proteomics, metabolomics, natural products research, and functional food analysis. Discussions also emphasized the system’s role in protein characterization, biomarker discovery, and metabolite profiling, as well as in data management strategies and research development opportunities.

The activity also highlighted FNRC’s state-of-the-art facilities and provided an opportunity to showcase its capabilities, support knowledge exchange, and discuss initiatives such as method development, technical training, and research advancement.

This engagement reflects a shared commitment to strengthening research ecosystems, advancing analytical skills, and promoting cutting-edge instrumentation to drive scientific innovation and excellence in high-resolution mass spectrometry.

23/02/2026

𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐒𝐔 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐌𝐌𝐒𝐔 𝐅𝐍𝐑𝐂: 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐋𝐂-𝐌𝐒 𝐐𝐓𝐎𝐅 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡

Officials and representatives from Batangas State University, led by Dr. Bryan John A. Magoling, who serves as the Director for Research Management Services, visited Mariano Marcos State University through its Functional Foods and Nutraceutical Research Center (FNRC) for a benchmarking activity on the LC-MS QTOF facility, conducted under the existing Memorandum of Understanding with Shimadzu (Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd and Shimadzu Philippines Corporation.

The visit focused on gaining technical and operational insights into the utilization, application development, data management, and research integration of the Shimadzu LC-MS QTOF system in metabolomics, natural products, and functional food analysis.

In addition to the benchmarking session, the delegation toured FNRC’s state-of-the-art laboratories and pilot-scale facilities, providing an overview of the Center’s analytical capabilities, research workflows, and translational research initiatives.

The benchmarking activity aims to support Batangas State University’s enhancement of its advanced analytical instrumentation programs and strengthen inter-institutional collaboration in research, innovation, and capacity building in mass spectrometry and related applications.

19/02/2026

FNRC 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐆𝐈𝐒 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐮𝐦 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘺 of Batac, 𝘐𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘴 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘦 — Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), through the Functional Foods and Nutraceutical Research Center (FNRC), successfully conducted the 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝗜𝗦 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 on 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟭𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, at the 𝗠𝗠𝗦𝗨 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗹. Anchored on the theme “𝙈𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘽𝙚𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝘿𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨: 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙋𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙘 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙂𝙄𝙎,” the forum underscored the growing role of geospatial technologies in evidence-based public health planning and governance.

The forum featured 𝗗𝗿. 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗱𝗶 of the 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 (𝗔𝗜𝗧), 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱, as resource speaker. In his presentation, Dr. Mandadi highlighted the critical importance of translating geospatial data into actionable public health strategies, emphasizing how Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can support informed decision-making, health equity analysis, and improved population health outcomes.

Faculty members and researchers from the IFP–Probiotics Research Project, the Research Directorate, and various academic units, including the Departments of Nursing, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Food Science, and the College of Medicine, actively participated in the forum. The forum served as a platform for dialogue among academicians and researchers, supporting intersectoral collaboration and strengthening institutional capacity for the strategic use of GIS in public health and community-based interventions.

The Health GIS Forum also complemented MMSU’s expanded and holistic research initiatives aimed at addressing pressing nutrition and food security concerns in Northern Luzon. Through the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)–LAKAS–funded project entitled “𝘈𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘴 𝘐𝘍𝘗 𝘍𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘚𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘈𝘤𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘢–𝘐𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘛𝘰𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘍𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺,” the University is actively working to address malnutrition and enhance food system resilience in the Ilocos Region.

This initiative focuses on the development of probiotic-based food systems utilizing indigenous food plants, with the long-term goal of promoting healthier and more sustainable communities. As part of the project, the research team is currently conducting a study titled “𝙆𝙣𝙤𝙬𝙡𝙚𝙙𝙜𝙚, 𝘼𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙋𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙞𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙨 𝘼𝙢𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙄𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙤𝙨 𝙉𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙚.” The study aims to assess population-level awareness, perceptions, and use of probiotics, generating data that may inform future nutrition and public health interventions.

Through the successful conduct of the Health GIS Forum and the implementation of innovative, CHED-supported research, MMSU reaffirms its commitment to advancing public health, strengthening food security, and supporting sustainable community development through collaborative, data-driven, and science-based approaches.

29/01/2026

28/01/2026

🔬👩‍🔬 Learning Beyond the Classroom at FNRC

Food Technology students explored innovation firsthand during a laboratory tour at the Functional Foods and Nutraceutical Research Center (FNRC), highlighted by a live spray drying demonstration, a key process in functional food and nutraceutical product development, conducted by Mr. Juvan Ong, functional food development researcher.

The students were guided by their instructor, Mr. Johnmel Valerozo, a member of the FNRC research team, who shared practical insights and hands-on knowledge bridging theory with real-world applications.

📩 For institutions or groups interested in a laboratory tour at FNRC, you may coordinate with
Dr. Rhian Jaymar Ramil, Chief of FNRC, or contact us through
📧 [email protected]

🌱⚙️ Empowering future food technologists through experiential learning

27/01/2026

🌱🔬 FNRC at Tech-for-All: Community Innovation & Exhibit

The Functional Foods and Nutraceutical Research Center (FNRC) actively participated in the “Tech-for-All: Community Innovation & Exhibit,” held on January 20, 2026, at the Center for Flexible Learning.

FNRC showcased a variety of probiotic-enriched and functional food products, including bugnay kombucha, Champobar, chocolate polvoron, duhat–kamangeg ice cream, and squashanate ice cream, highlighting the center’s ongoing innovations in health-oriented food development.

The Tech-for-All event is part of Mariano Marcos State University’s 48th Foundation Anniversary, underscoring the University’s strong commitment to research excellence, innovation, and meaningful community engagement.

🌾✨

22/01/2026

𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 : 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬: 𝐅𝐍𝐑𝐂 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐏𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐒𝐄 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬

Excellence was celebrated as the Functional Foods and Nutraceutical Research Center (FNRC) joined the university-wide recognition during the 2025 Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) Awards of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), held on January 16, 2025, at the MMSU Teatro Ilocandia.

We proudly congratulate Dr. Rhian Jaymar D. Ramil, Dr. Ma. Danica Ines-Ramil, Dr. Dioniso S. Bucao and Mr. Johnmel A. Valerozo for being conferred the Presidential SUCCEED Award during the event, in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements, research contributions, and commitment to professional excellence.

These recognitions affirm FNRC’s strong commitment to excellence in service, research, and academic advancement. Congratulations to our awardees! 🎉

15/12/2025

Application is Extended!

In consideration of the availability of slots, the application period for the capacity building program titled “𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲-𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 (𝐢𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐡-𝐏𝐫𝐨)” offered by Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) is extended until 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟗, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓.

Submit your applications through the following links:
● Application Templates to download: bit.ly/HUSAYApplication
● Uploading Form: bit.ly/HUSAY-MMSUNomination

For more information about the program, the link for the Memorandum from the Office of the Chairperson may be accessed here:https://ched.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/MOC-November-4-2025-Call-for-Applications-for-Industry-Based-Microcredential-Pathways-towards-gra.pdf

For inquiries, you may send us an email through [email protected].

01/12/2025

𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 | 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡

Congratulations to Prof. Rhian Jaymar D. Ramil, FNRC Chief, for being honored with the Best Research Paper Award by the Region 1 Health Research and Development Consortium (R1HRDC) for his study titled, “Metabolite Profiling and 𝘐𝘯 𝘝𝘪𝘵𝘳𝘰 and 𝘐𝘯 𝘚𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘰 Evaluation of the Anticancer Potential of 𝘊𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘶𝘮 𝘮𝘺𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘶𝘮 Merr. Against HT-29 Colorectal Cancer Cells,” presented during the 3rd Regional Research Development and Innovation Symposium.

This award affirms his outstanding scientific rigor, groundbreaking innovation, and exemplary leadership in driving forward health research in the region.

31/10/2025

𝐌𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐍𝐑𝐂 | 𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 🌿🔬

Step inside the Functional Foods and Nutraceutical Research Center (FNRC) of Mariano Marcos State University, a hub of innovation and collaboration that drives the future of health, wellness, and sustainable industry.

Under the leadership of Prof. Rhian Jaymar D. Ramil, Chief of FNRC, the center stands as a cornerstone for multidisciplinary research and development in probiotics, natural products, nutraceuticals, and functional foods. Each of its six specialized laboratories plays a vital role in transforming scientific discovery into real-world solutions that enhance lives and empower local communities.

From exploring the power of beneficial microorganisms to unlocking nature’s bioactive compounds, testing product quality, and scaling up innovations for commercialization, the FNRC exemplifies MMSU’s commitment to science-based innovation for sustainable health and progress.

✨ Discover our laboratories:
1️⃣ Applied Microbiology Research Laboratory
2️⃣ Natural Products Research Laboratory
3️⃣ Cheminformatics and Computational Metabolomics Research Laboratory
4️⃣ Foods and Nutraceutical Research and Innovation Laboratory
5️⃣ Product Quality Testing Laboratory
6️⃣ Pilot-Scale Nutraceutical Manufacturing Facility

Together, they embody FNRC’s mission of bridging research, innovation, and community impact.