By Prof. Jayvee J. Jore
Members of the Philippine Society on Microbiology attend a Regional Webinar hosted by CPU.
The Philippine Society of Microbiology Visayas Chapter held its 3rd Regional Webinar via Zoom hosted by Central Philippine University, in cooperation with the CPU Life Sciences Department, last August 19, 2022. The PSM-Visayas tackled topics on food and industrial microbiology with concentration on aquaculture and food safety.
The resource speakers included an international expert, Dr. Nor Azimah Mohd Zain of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia who shared her research study entitled “Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria in Aquaculture Sources in Johor, Malaysia”. She emphasized the presence of antimicrobial resistant microorganisms in sampling sites – natural water resources. Antimicrobial resistance has posed a serious problem since 1940 because diseases that are caused by antibiotic resistant microorganisms can be very difficult to treat. Natural water resources include oceans, lakes, rivers, ground and deep waters. These may be attributed to the usage of chemicals and antibiotics for treatments and processes of products administered by some food and other industries not only in Malaysia but in some other countries including the Philippines. Dr. Zain also suggested that her study needs to be expanded because these specific bacteria are yet to be known.
Dr. Jihan Santanina S. Alumbro from the School of Technology (SoTech, University of the Philippines Visayas – Miag-ao Campus was the second expert. She discussed her study on ” The Case of Oyster: Microbial Food Safety” where she stressed that number of microorganisms, its diversity and the impact of its presence to the safe consumption of oysters must be given full attention not only by researchers but also by the aquatic industry that involves importation of the products. One bacterium is the high number of Vibrio sp. which causes vomiting, nausea, watery diarrhea, abdominal cramping and chills. Dr. Alumbro also mentioned that there are certain criteria and guidelines that must be followed by industries regarding the acceptable number of bacteria present in foods based on International Food Standards.
PSM-Visayas Chapter together with its officers spearheaded by their President, Dr. Stella G. Fernandez, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, CPU, reminded everyone to be “mindful around us” whether it may be visible to invisible, big or small, many or few because it greatly affects the holistic health of everyone.” The organization is set to conduct its blended Regional PSM Scientific Session at Fatima Farm Resort, Buenavista, Guimaras on October 28 -29, 2022.