Huánuco: Concytec finances three projects with more than 2 million soles to promote the development of the region

In order to promote the developing region of Huanuco, ProScienceexecuting unit of the Concytec, has allocated S/. 2,981,568.63 million soles to finance three projects executed by public and private entities that strengthen and impact the prioritized sectors: health, agribusiness and food processing.

These initiatives were the winners of the calls: innovation acceleration projects, incorporation of researchers and applied research and technological development projects.

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It should be reported that the University of Huanuco (UDH) comes running the project: “Development of a genomic prediction model for the evaluation of the immune response against pathogens based on ancestry, metagenomics and geographic altitude of the mestizo and native population of the Huánuco region”, which contributes to Health sectorand which consists of designing a genomic prediction method to identify which individuals will have a greater viral/inflammatory response based on an immunological study by understanding the genetics of the population, its microbiota and environmental microbiome, which can be used for an appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

This initiative winner of the call for incorporation of researchers, has managed to bring together 4 scientists at the University of Huánuco (UDH) from the Pasteur Institute in France, Harvard University in the USA and Pompeu Fabra University in Spain.

Regarding the innovation acceleration call, the proposal Shuncoa tool that cuts cocoa beans safely, easily and without damaging the seeds. In addition, it is resistant, portable and light, which allows it to be taken to any part of the plots regardless of where it is located or if the terrain has a very steep slope. This tool is easily fixed to the ground and the farmer can start working safely, quickly, avoiding cuts and damage. It also has a support for cocoa and a cushioning mechanism that does not allow the cocoa beans to be cut, contributing to their quality and presentation for export purposes.

Shunco, a tool that cuts cocoa beans safely, easily and without damaging the seeds.

In that same sector, Peruvian researchers from the National Agrarian University of the Jungle They have been working on obtaining new extruded products, as well as on the optimization of bioactive compounds with high antioxidant capacity, through mixtures of raw materials from the coast, mountains and jungle (banana, sweet potato, purple black potato, blueberries, red grape global and aguaymanto).

This initiative will allow the incorporation of various functional substances, which will improve the functional and antioxidant capacity of a product obtained. That is to say, the incorporation of banana flour that contains starch resistant to digestion can be considered, in such a way that it would act as fiber, with better glycemic and insulinemic responses; sweet potato pulp has complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, carotene, vitamin C and vitamin B6; The potato has a high content of starch, as well as regulatory functions of the organism due to its high content of water-soluble vitamins, minerals and fiber, in addition, it has a high content of proteins, with a relatively high biological value within foods of vegetable origin; Blueberries are a rich source of procyanidins, which comprise a group of compounds that have numerous health benefits, including protection against coronary heart disease, type II diabetes, and obesity; the grape has high contents of anthocyanins; the black grape and the pomace contain a high content of polyphenols, anthocyanins and a powerful antioxidant called resveratrol, which has anticancer and preventive activity at the level of viral infections.

It is important to inform that the Concytec, within the framework of the BIRF 8682-PE loan agreement with the World Bank, finances 386 projects throughout the national territory, with an amount that amounts to S/ 235 million soles and that they are being executed by public and private entities from 22 regions of Peru for the benefit of more Peruvians.