PCAARRD, UP Visayas collaborate on mussel depuration technology

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)has teamed up with the University of the Philippines Visayas to boost the mussel industry, particularly in Ioilo.

The program aimed to provide livelihood opportunities to mussel farmers in Iloilo.

Organized by the Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division in coordination with the Institution Development Division (IDD) of DOST-PCAARRD, the activity aimed to train the participants on the operations in mussel depuration and the use of the circulating depuration facility.

It also aimed to increase awareness of mussel processors, operators, prospective entrepreneurs, and extension workers on the importance of depuration.

Discussions were held on the production, postharvest, and market of the Philippine green mussel as well as food safety and quality of mussel and mussel products. 

Participants were given hands-on training and workshop on depuration processing, microbiological protocols in the examination of shellfish growing, determination of physico-chemical parameters of seawater during depuration, and sensory evaluation of fresh and depurated mussel.

Plans to adopt the technology in the respective regions of the participants were also discussed.