News--Welcome to National Chiayi University

　　Assistant Prof. Huai-Wen Yang and Assistant Prof. Wen-Chang Chang from the Department of Food Science, National Chiayi University, developed the “Multi-Age Protein Mix with Flavored Sesame” and “Pomelo Tremella Drink,” which won the “Top Ten Agricultural and Grain Research and Processed Products in 2021” award from the Agriculture and Food Agency, Council of Agriculture, Executive Yuan. Only 10 processed products were selected from among more than 100 scientific and technological research projects. It was a hard-earned success indeed for the two products of NCYU Department of Food Science to win the award. The award-winning top ten processed agricultural products are scheduled to hit store shelves at two major retailer, including HSIN TUNG YANG and Eslite, starting this October. The objective is to introduce people all over the country to the technologically innovative, safe and palatable agricultural products made from high-quality agricultural and food materials in Taiwan.

　　Through academic-industrial cooperation, NCYU Assistant Prof. Yang Huai-Wen developed the “Multi-Age Protein Mix with Flavored Sesame” by adding values to local raw materials. Formulated by nutritionists graduating from the NCYU Department of Food Science, the product is suitable for consumers aged 1-99 and over, and is easy to prepare and highly nutritious. The sesame contains higher calcium than most other grains. This processed product is made of domestic sesame, which has a stronger fragrance than the sesame produced in other Southeast Asian countries. The product is also made from soybeans. After hydrolysis, the non-GMO, certified soybean protein is easy for the human body to absorb, which helps build muscles and prevent sarcopenia, providing people of all ages with an alternative for protein nutritional supplements.

　　Pomelos are harvested in full swing before the Mid-Autumn Festival, Wen-Chang Chang, Assistant Professor of NCYU, has developed a fast, physical method of processing citrus fruits. You can peel off a pomelo in a time- and effort-saving way: All you need is a pot, some hot water, a pair of useful hands and 15 seconds. This method has been patented. To extend the shelf life of pomelos so that fresh and sweet pomelos can be offered all year round, Assistant Prof. Zhang led the team to develop the “Pomelo Tremella Drink.” After hundreds of tests and adjustments, the product was successfully developed using bitterness masking method and fence technology. The pomelo drink be stored at room temperature, without losing the delicious taste of fresh fruit. By adding values to pomelos, they hoped to market Taiwan’s high-quality processed agricultural products to the world and help increase farmers’ incomes.

　　According to Prof. Hsu Cheng-Kuang, Chairman of the Department of Food Science, the two teachers of the department are devoted to research through academic-industrial cooperation, and have been developing high-quality agricultural products using their expertise in science and technology. The goal is to bring scientific research closer to the needs of farmers and industries, improve the competitiveness of agricultural products in the market, and offer new choices for domestic consumers. He hoped that NCYU teachers will have more opportunities to help market the agricultural processed products grown by farmers in Taiwan to the world, so that our agricultural products can secure a place on the world stage.