Browsing by Author "Tadeo, Andie John D."

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    Comparative effects of culture sites on agar yield and quality parameters of Gracilaria edulis in La Union, Philippines
    (Asia-Pacific Journal of Science and Technology, 2026-03) Tadeo, Andie John D.
    The agar potential of Gracilaria edulis cultured at two coastal sites in La Union, Philippines, was evaluated to determine site-dependent differences in yield and quality. Significant variations ($p < 0.05$) were observed between Balaoan and Rosario. While Rosario produced greater biomass, Balaoan yielded significantly higher agar. Proximate composition also differed, with Balaoan exhibiting higher protein and carbohydrate contents. Concentrations of inorganic arsenic (i-As), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb) were within the permissible limits set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources for SB-class waters, indicating environmental safety at both sites. Agar quality parameters showed contrasting trends. Rosario samples demonstrated significantly higher viscosity, gel strength, and 3,6-anhydrogalactose content, suggesting superior gel-forming properties. In contrast, Balaoan agar exhibited higher melting and gelling temperatures, as well as higher sulfate levels. These results confirm that culture site significantly influences agar yield and physicochemical properties of G. edulis. The findings provide important insights for optimizing site selection to enhance both productivity and functional quality in commercial agar production.
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    Production and characterization of solar sea salt in La Union, Philippines
    (International Journal of Biosciences, 2024-02-20) Tabafunda, Junifer Rey E.; Tadeo, Andie John D.
    The Philippine salt industry has declined due to various factors such as climate change, age old laborious production methods, and changes in livelihood preferences. To jumpstart the revival of the salt industry in the province of La Union, a small-scale salt production process for coastal communities was developed using solar evaporation of seawater on the HDPE platform. The quality of seawater and the produced solar sea salt were determined based on physicochemical analysis, microbial and heavy metal contamination tests and salt yield. The study used four treatments based on the volume of seawater poured into the HDPE platform: T1, 100 li; T2, 200 li; T3, 300 li; T4, 400 li. The study was conducted in a Randomized Complete Block Design. Data were analyzed with ANOVA and Duncan Multiple Test for further test of significance using SPSS version 23. The salinity of seawater, taken at a depth of 0.59 meters, was 35-37 ppt, the water temperature was 29.1 - 31.54 ⁰C, and the pH was 8.21 - 8.03. The solar drying to produce sea salt took 7-19 days, depending on seawater quantity, and the highest yield was attained in T3 with three monthly production cycles. The NaCl content of produced sea salt ranged from 81.93±0.87 - 82.57±0.20 %, and Iodine (I) content of 46.03±0.94 - 48.16±1.96 mg/kg. Inorganic arsenic (i-As) was in a range of 0.075±0.75- 76.81±1.91 μg/g, and lead (Pb) content from 9.07±0.71 - 9.41±0.48 mg/kg. Salmonella was not detected, while E. coli, and S. aureus were within the microbiological limits for the food-grade product