12 April 2016 – Inventive, commercially viable, and environmentally sustainable uses of mango waste as developed by Filipino inventor Dr. Evelyn Taboada were among the highlights of an exhibit held at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) from April 07 to 08 on the occasion of the International Conference on Intellectual Property and Development.

Dr. Taboada is a researcher from the University of San Carlos in Cebu who has successfully developed the technology to convert various parts of the mango fruit often discarded as waste, including its peels, seeds, and kernels, into healthy products such as flour used for cookies, bread and energy bars. Seed husks are also recycled into low-cost burner fuel.

“Before, only the mango flesh is used. Now, everything about the mango has commercial use. Since the company has grown, we have not only helped reduce waste but we have also generated employment that benefited local communities,” she said.

The exhibit aimed to help spread awareness about how intellectual property could play a role in societal and economic development by fostering creativity and competitiveness. The technology used by Dr. Taboada is covered by a portfolio of patents, and trademarks that is now available for sublicensing.

Ambassador Cecilia Rebong, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the UN and other International Organizations in Geneva, hailed how Dr. Taboada was able to pursue a socially relevant undertaking while successfully bridging the gap between invention and market access.

“A challenge faced by many inventors is how their discoveries and technologies can penetrate today’s tough global market and carve a piece of the pie. Dr. Taboada’s experience shows that, with vision, perseverance and support, it can be done,” she said. END