A faculty member of the Philippine Rootcrops Research and Training Center (PhilRootcrops) has garnered international recognition for her research on cassava flour processing, highlighting its potential contribution to sustainable food innovation. 

Dr. Ladie Anne P. Conde, a distinguished Associate Professor from PhilRootcrops won the Best Paper Award under the Agricultural Sciences and Bio-innovations category during the 5th International Multidisciplinary Conference on Engineering and Technology, Education, Management and Development Studies (IMCETEMDS) held on December 4-6, 2025, in Legazpi City, Albay. 

The award-winning paper titled “Influence of High Hydrostatic Pressure Treatment on Cassava Flour’s Volatile Retention Performance” was co-authored with Dr. Biniam Kebede and Prof. Indrawati Oey of the Department of Food Science at the University of Otago, New Zealand. The conference lasted three (3) days with a hybrid format that gathered both local and international researchers across various disciplines under the theme “Advancing Strategic Innovation and Inclusive Research for a Resilient and Sustainable Future”. 

Dr. Conde shared how the paper is derived from her doctoral dissertation, which was later refined into a published research article in multiple scholarly journals. The study features the use of High Hydrostatic Pressure (HHP), a non-thermal processing method that supports the retention of flavour compounds by the cassava flour. 

In this process, she explains how HHP-treated cassava initially kept fewer flavor compounds in comparison to untreated cassava flour. However, the treated flour proved its stability over time, as it held on to its remaining flavor compounds, acting like its shield while keeping it intact during its storage period. 

She emphasizes how the role of HHP and other similar technologies underscores the advancement of food innovation, highlighting how, with continuous research, such technology can be adopted in the Philippines and other ASEAN countries, prioritizing both functional and sustainable use in food production.

“Hopefully, this leads to the fruition of the potential for developing green, clean-label products and opens research opportunities to maximize the use of the modified flours in binding compounds, not limited to volatiles/flavour compounds. With proper process and product optimization, these technologies may be adopted in the Philippines and across the ASEAN region.”

With full gratitude, Dr. Conde pays tribute to Prof. Oey and Dr. Kebede, who served as her doctoral supervisors for this study. She recounts how they played key roles in ushering in the use of locally sourced materials for her research, aligning with the utilization of cassava for its global and cultural relevance in the Philippines.

Dr. Conde shares her hopes for this recognition to strengthen PhilRootcrops’ visibility for enhancing local and international collaborations. Further bolstering the center’s standing as the leading national institution for rootcrop research and production. 

Looking ahead, she emphasized that the true impact of this study lies in its potential to shape the role of advancement in future research and innovation. “I hope that this study will capture the attention of researchers seeking cleaner and sustainable solutions for improving existing ingredients or developing new food products”,  she remarked. 

The entire PhilRootcrops institution proudly celebrates this achievement and extends its warmest congratulations to Dr. Conde, whose dedication continues to be a driving force behind the center’s mandate on rootcrop research and academic pursuits with excellence and stewardship at its core.