Malunggay-based recipes forthcoming says DepEd
The development and standardization of malunggay-based recipes for in-school feeding is set to be completed on the second part of the workshop set on April 20-25, 2008.
The undertaking, according to the Department of Education (DepEd) is to help overcome nutritional deficiency among school children, by tapping indigenous resources like "malunggay."
The DepEd press report disclosed that the first part of the workshop was held April 5-9, and the participants were taught how to develop malunggay recipes, and the second part of the workshop (April 20-25) will focus on the quantification and sensory evaluation.
Workshop organizers expect that after the two phases of the seminars, the participants' knowledge will be heightened on malunggay's nutritional benefits
DepEd-HNC Director Thelma Santos said that malunggay is the subject of interest in many researches and studies due to its nutritional benefits and its versatility as a plant. According to her malunggay (Moringa oleifera) is touted by scientists as the "miracle vegetable" because of the many diseases it can cure.
Malunggay is known to cure beriberi, which is caused by deficiency in Vitamin B1, and rickets, caused by lack of Vitamin D and Calcium.Known as Horseradish tree in English, Malunggay originated in India and is widely consumed in the Indian subcontinent, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Southeast Asia.
Its many uses include cropping, animal feeds and is also tapped for biogas and diesel production.It is used as a domesticleaning agent and fertilizer.Its leaves are an outstanding sources of Vitamins A, B1, and C, Calcium, Potassium, and Iron.(PEA/T.Villavert)