An Environmental Science alumnus will fund Tarlac State University Center for Natural Product Research's first non-food research product sealed through a signing of a Memorandum of Agreement on Thursday (September 17), held at the Office of the University President.
Mr. Bil Gapay, 29, who graduated in 2018, will fund (P100,000) the research titled “Development, Standardization, and Biological Evaluation of a natural liquid body and hand soap formulated with guava leaf extract and citronella essential oil”.
University President Dr. Jasper Jay N. Mendoza led the signing together with Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension Dr. Niño B. Corpuz, and CNPR Director Dr. Alma M. Corpuz.
The CNPR director shared that Mr. Gapay had volunteered to fund the research and development of the liquid soap. She added that once the center determines the product’s optimal formulation and concentration, the research is expected to take one year before proceeding to intellectual property registration and commercialization.
For his part, Mr. Gapay expressed his continued support for the university, particularly its research initiatives.
The core components of the liquid soap, citronella and guava, will be sourced from Mr. Gapay’s farm in Camiling. He also plans to explore using red guava trees on his farm to develop an antibacterial, mosquito-repellent liquid soap.
Meanwhile, Vice President Corpuz said he envisions the university's centers becoming more visible to partners and the public.
Photo by: Mr. Eduardo F. Laxamana Jr.
