Agriculture Business Week

Calamansi fruit is composed of 30 to 31 percent juice, which is used as flavoring, beverage and source of vitamin C. How about the remaining 69 to 70 percent? Void of juice, the peel, pulp and seeds are considered wastes, which are thrown away by households, food establishments and juice processor.

These wastes, if not properly disposed, might add to the pressing problem on garbage. That is why food experts at the Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) sought practical ways to utilize these calamansi wastes, especially those that are generated by commercial calamansi juice processors.

The idea came about when a calamansi juice processor based in Zamboanga asked ITDI on what to do about the big volume of calamansi wastes left after extracting the juice.

Since calamansi wastes are rich in dietary fiber, the research team of Annabelle V. Briones, Wilhelmina O. Ambal, Bella R. Redublo, Cesar R. Cortes, Norvina S. Deocampo, and Merle A. Villanueva came up with a product called calamansi dietary fiber powder which they showcased at the National Inventors’ Week (NIW) held from November 17-21 at Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City.

The calamansi dietary fiber powder is of insoluble type, which is “insoluble in water and passes through the intestine largely intact. This makes it different from the soluble type which forms into gel when mixed with liquid, but both are non-digestible,” says Briones during the NIW.

The researchers said that one of the major benefits from taking calamansi dietary fiber powder is the regulation of digestive problems because it cleans the intestines of waste products brought about by unhealthy eating. It also helps reduce the risk of developing colon cancers and other gastrointestinal ailments.

Based on analysis, the calamansi dietary fiber powder contains 80% total dietary fiber, 7.2% soluble powder, 6.41 % moisture, 6.52 ash, 8.25 protein, 11.31% fat, 67.51% total carbohydrate, and 405 kcal/ 100 g food energy.

How is calamansi dietary fiber powder consumed? Researchers said that it could be formulated into 500-mg capsules and taken as a regular supplement. It can also substitute wheat bean and uncooked oats as ingredients for high-fiber cookies.

In terms of cost, calamansi dietary fiber powder is much cheaper than the commercially available dietary fiber powder in the market. Researchers said that it costs only P3.15 per 5-gram pack compared to P20/5-g pack of commercial one which is made from imported raw materials.

The researchers said that the technology on the production of calamansi dietary fiber powder, which. involves simple equipment for treatment, drying, grinding and sieving, is now ready for commercialization by interested adoptors.