Seaweed candy, anyone?

And now, candy from the Eucheuma seaweed.

The product was developed by Dr. Ida C. Junio of the Fisheries Research and Training Institute of the Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (DMMMSU)-North Luzon campus in Balaoan, La Union. DMMMSU is a multi-campus university in La Union whose seat of administration is the main campus in Bacnotan town.

Dr. Junio’s project won the third prize of the DOST-PCAMRD Aquatic Technology Competition and Marketplace (ATCOM) held last Jan. 31 by DOST-PCAMRD.

Also involved in the project was Lourdes Bisco.

Eucheuma candy is made of eucheuma seaweeds, milk, fruits, and sugar, making it nutritious. The product is formulated and standardized under the research "Product Formulation of Some Processed Seaweeds."

Based on the nutrition facts analysis conducted by the DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute (FNRI), the product has the five core nutrients and minerals such as fats, sodium, carbohydrates, protein, and iron.

Sensory evaluation was done by trained DMMMSU taste panelists and found to be highly acceptable. Other acceptability attributes included color, flavor, sweetness, overall texture, stickiness, springiness, tooth packing, and aftertaste.

Package development was designed by the DOST-Package Development Center which included the label of the product. It has already obtained a barcode which is a major requirement in marketing products to supermarkets. – RAF