Enhancing the country’s capabilities in the field of novel food and functional food, catering to the increasing demand among health-conscious individuals by leveraging the expertise of NSTDA
NSTDA is pinning its hopes on the core business of a one-stop service platform called “FoodSERP” to boost the country’s economic growth by leveraging its biodiversity-rich resources. According to Dr. Kobkul Laoteng, Director of the Service Platform for Food and Functional Ingredients (FoodSERP) under the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), the high demand for functional food among health-conscious consumers will benefit over a million stakeholders involved in the business, including local plant farmers, business owners, and consumers. This positive impact is expected to be realised within a two-year timeframe.
During the event “NSTDA Meets the Press,” Dr. Kobkul emphasised that the food industry has emerged as a key driver of the country’s economic growth, generating substantial revenue. In today’s global market, consumers are increasingly interested in novel and functional food options that meet their requirements for health, environmental sustainability, and overall well-being.
Recognising the aspirations of local food and cosmetic entrepreneurs, NSTDA has been actively developing the FoodSERP platform since last year. This platform aims to assist business developers throughout the entire production process, offering services such as the utilisation of raw materials sourced from Thai bioresources, screening and discovery, lab-scale production, efficiency improvements, quality and safety testing, pilot-scale production, and product registration. The platform’s focus is primarily on four main elements: functional ingredients (e.g., probiotics, prebiotics, enzymes), specialised food for specific groups (e.g., elderly, patients, beauty enthusiasts), alternative proteins (plant-based and microbial-based proteins, as well as cultured meat), and functional extracts (herbal extracts, microbial extracts, and flavours).
Dr. Kobkul further explained that FoodSERP is capable of addressing the challenges faced by large-scale companies, SMEs, and start-up entrepreneurs seeking to develop innovative and technologically advanced products while optimising costs. With a team of over 150 researchers from diverse disciplines, FoodSERP is equipped to provide tailor-made solutions for each unique requirement. Additionally, the platform boasts state-of-the-art laboratory technology, a lab-scale production facility, and two semi-industrial-scale production plants for conducting production and market trials. These facilities include the BIOTEC Bioprocessing Facility (BBF), which adheres to Codex GHPs & HACCP standards, and the Nanoparticles and Cosmetics Production Plant, certified by ASEAN Cosmetic GMP.
Additionally, FoodSERP offers a valuable service for product registration with the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA). For instance, in the case of new probiotic strains that are not yet approved by the FDA, FoodSERP provides safety and efficiency testing services to assist in preparing the necessary documents for consideration by the Thai FDA.
Dr. Kobkul shared that since its establishment in 2022, FoodSERP has received excellent feedback from clients, evident from the frequency of their visits. Many clients return to expand their product lines, indicating that they have achieved their desired outcomes through the platform. While the financial impact has surpassed a billion baht, Dr. Kobkul emphasised that the focus of FoodSERP has not been solely on generating income. Rather, it aims to benefit at least one million stakeholders and consumers involved in the food and functional ingredient industry’s value chain within its two-year short-term target.
To illustrate successful cases, Dr. Kobkul mentioned a company owner who utilised Thai microbial strains to develop products. Later, they expanded their product line to include a hygienic item for women’s external use, leveraging another valuable by-product ingredient from the microbial cultivation process. Another example involved a community enterprise in Ratchaburi province that collaborated with the research team to create probiotic yogurt using coconuts, thereby adding value to Thai fruits.
“Our primary focus is to establish a food production ecosystem that strengthens the food industry and benefits all stakeholders,” Dr. Kobkul explained. She emphasised that FoodSERP serves as a powerful mechanism to address the pain points faced by entrepreneurs, particularly the high costs associated with research and development. The one-stop service provided by FoodSERP is ready to eliminate these obstacles and facilitate the growth of businesses.
According to Dr. Kobkul, a total of 70 companies, ranging from large-scale to SME owners, have joined the service platform. Of these clients, approximately 80% are entrepreneurs, 10% are researchers from research institutes and universities, and the remaining percentage represents start-up companies.