MANILA – A study funded by The Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) that aims to help address stunting is expected to be completed by April 2023.
The PCHRD has provided PHP12.3 million for the study that will use buffalo white cheese whey by-products as a potential source of high-value food supplement and show its growth-promoting effect.
Stunting happens when a child develops a low height for their age, usually due to factors like malnutrition, repeated infections, or poor social stimulation.
"Researchers are currently studying the profiles of oligosaccharide composition of various buffalo milk samples. Buffalo milk is rich in sialylated oligosaccharides which are linked to proper growth based on different studies," PCHRD Nutrition and Food Safety Program head Marianne Laya told the Philippine News Agency on Monday.
DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said the study will provide preliminary evidence on the benefits of buffalo milk oligosaccharides supplement as an animal-based fortifier for infant formula and complementary food that will help address stunting among Filipino children.
"Research has shown that buffalo milk is a rich source of oligosaccharides linked to improved growth in epidemiologic and animal studies," he said in a taped report.
The project started in May 2021 and is led by Dr. Gladys Completo of the University of the Philippines - Los Baños, he added. (PNA)
