Center for Sustainable Polymers - CSP

Our latest work on the green extraction of keratin from chicken feathers is now published in Green Chemistry, a D1 Scopus-indexed journal (CiteScore 16.1, 93rd percentile), widely regarded as a global home for cutting-edge research in sustainable technologies and one of the flagship journals of the prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry.

In the paper, “Metal-Assisted Hydrogen-Bond Restructuring in a Ternary Deep Eutectic Solvent for Near-Complete Keratin Dissolution and Circular Biomass Valorization,” our team achieved 99.62% keratin recovery using a specially designed deep eutectic solvent under mild and energy-efficient conditions. In simple terms, we found a way to unlock one of nature’s toughest waste materials and turn it into a high-value, reusable resource through a process where the solvent itself can be regenerated and used again.

This fully homegrown achievement from the Center for Sustainable Polymers (CSP), MSU-IIT, made possible through the support of DOST-PCIEERD, highlights the strength of our research team and our capability to produce globally competitive, top-tier science from our own laboratories in Mindanao.

The paper, lead-authored by Andrei Etom and co-authored by Ann Pearl Triana, Jady Lee Esler Amarillas, Rhea Casipong, Jayson Rey Gilbolingo, April John Galagnara, Roger Dingcong, Jr., Arnold Alguno, Roberto Malaluan, and Arnold Lubguban, is now available online as an Accepted Manuscript in its first published form, and truly worth the long journey it took to get here.

It may be cited as:
Green Chemistry, 2026, DOI: 10.1039/D6GC00214E
🔗 https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2026/gc/d6gc00214e/unauth

Another step forward for MSU-IIT in sustainability and global research visibility!

Don’t miss out!

Join us as radiochemist Dr. Melchor V. Cantorias shares his DOST Balik Scientist Exit Report Presentation entitled “Gallium-68 and Beyond: Advancing Philippine Cancer Diagnostics through Radiochemistry” on November 5, 2025 via Zoom.

📅Date: November 5, 2025
🕘Time: 9:00 am
💻Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82710523417?pwd=7wTv1sodbF3bpuWZalXGnqiDlW7xqR.1

Dr. Mel will share his research and contributions in Gallium-68 radiochemistry and how it can revolutionize early cancer diagnostics in the Philippines through sustainable and accessible PET imaging.

This is science, technology, and innovation enabling solutions towards national development.

𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐨 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 - 𝐈𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 (𝐌𝐒𝐔-𝐈𝐈𝐓) 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨.𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐚𝐭 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲!

Led by our supportive Chancellor, Atty. Alizedney M. Ditucalan, MSU-IIT is proudly showcasing the market-ready technologies from these innovative R&D Centers: Center for Sustainable Polymers (CSP), Sustainable Resource Engineering Research for Construction Technologies Center (SURER), Center for Energy Research andT echnology (CERT), and Center for Mechatronics and Robotics (CMR )

We look forward to engaging with investors, industry leaders, and fellow innovators to accelerate Filipino technology.

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐭 𝐔𝐏𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐚 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓!

We’re inviting everyone to take part in this year’s UPCES Colloquia, featuring insightful discussions and research presentations from experts in the field.

We’re proud to highlight Dr. Maria Sheila K. Ramos, PhD, from the Department of Chemical Engineering and Technology, MSU-IIT, as one of the distinguished speakers for the event. Her extensive background in environmental and chemical engineering promises valuable insights for students, researchers, and professionals alike.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn and engage — follow Colloquia for more details!

𝐀 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭-𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡!
We're sharing this great opportunity to learn about the ATIPAN Project, a groundbreaking digital strategy for universal healthcare in the Philippines.

Catch Dr. Romulo "Jong" de Castro at the 4th session of "Innovation Impact Stories" webinar and see how science is making a difference in communities!

October 15, 2025 | 1:00 PM PH TIME

Register now!
Scan the QR code or click the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/mtrrecsf

(Accepting registrations only until October 15, 2025, 10:00 AM)

Yesterday, we were pleased to welcome our visitors from North Eastern Mindanao State University (NEMSU) to the Center for Sustainable Polymers. It was a great opportunity to share our ongoing initiatives and explore future collaborations that strengthen research, innovation, and sustainability efforts across Mindanao.

We are delighted to welcome Fr. Antonio M. Basilio, SJ, Vice President for Higher Education of Ateneo de Davao University, to the Center for Sustainable Polymers.

As one of our partner higher education institutions, Ateneo de Davao University continues to play a vital role in advancing collaborative research and innovation. We look forward to strengthening our partnership in promoting sustainability and scientific excellence!

𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐇𝐮𝐬𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐭 𝐎𝐢𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐚𝐦

Delighted to share our recent publication in RSC Applied Polymers! The study explores the synthesis of carbon-doped silica nanoparticles (SNP) from rice husk ash using κ-carrageenan and their integration into coconut oil-based rigid polyurethane foam (RPUF). Remarkably, incorporating just 0.3% SNP by mass boosted the compressive strength of RPUF by 92.42% while also improving thermal stability. This demonstrates the potential of sustainably derived nanomaterials to create functional and eco-friendly foams for industrial applications.

Huge congratulations to the entire team: Carlo Kurt F. Osorio, Christine Joy M. Omisol, Dan Michael A. Asequia, Blessy Joy M. Aguinid, Daisy Jane D. Erjeno, Kassandra Jayza Gift D. Tejas, Roger G. Dingcong Jr., Tomas Ralph B. Tomon, Renzo Miguel R. Hisona, Andrei E. Etom, Ann Pearl G. Triana, Gerard G. Dumancas, Arnold C. Alguno, Joshua B. Zoleta, Roberto M. Malaluan, and Arnold A. Lubguban!

Access the paper here:
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5LP00161G

𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐞𝐥𝐥-𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐬!

Join us for the Global Learning Institute: Health and Wellness, a special event brought to you by North Carolina A&T State University Honors College and Mindanao State University, Philippines. Mark your calendars for September 25, 2025, at 8:45 PM PHT (8:45 AM EST).

Find registration and Zoom details by scanning the QR code! See you there.

From Tuna Bones to Healing Solutions!

Researchers from MSU-IIT's Center for Sustainable Polymers, under the Biomedical Polymers Team led by Dr. Ronald Bual, Chairman of the Department of Chemical Engineering & Technology, have developed a process to transform tuna bones—often discarded as fishery waste—into a valuable material for medicine.

Authored by Zesreal Cain Bantilan, Marionilo Labares Jr., Johnel Alimasag, Kit Dominick Don Valle, Chancy Louisse Barlisan, Elizer Eleccion, and Dr. Ronald Bual, the study was published in Applied Biosciences (MDPI) and demonstrates that tuna bones can serve as a sustainable source of extracellular matrix (ECM) for biomedical applications by preserving collagen and other natural compounds that support tissue repair and regeneration.

Read the full article here: https://doi.org/10.3390/applbiosci4030043