Benguet State University’s Intellectual Property Management Office (BSU-IPMO) announced on July 20 and 21, 2026, the successful registration of two new utility models, marking another milestone in the university’s drive toward food innovation and agricultural technology development.

The first registered innovation, titled “A Chayote (Sechium edule) Muffin Composition,” was invented by Norma P. Banania and Arnie P. Mendoza. Their research creatively integrates chayote, a widely available highland vegetable, into baked goods to boost nutritional content while creating new commercial opportunities for local growers.

Following this announcement, BSU-IPMO unveiled a second registered utility model titled “A Composition of Dried Meyer Lemon (Citrus x meyeri) Slices.” Developed by a team of inventors comprising Lesley Dale G. Umayat, Manuel M. Dorado Jr., Jofrey J. Bayating, Daena Mariele D. Dar, and Caster Troy B. Iblogan, this development offers a standardized drying method to extend the shelf-life and preserve the quality of locally harvested citrus for culinary and beverage uses.

The BSU-IPMO community commended both research teams for securing official intellectual property protection. These achievements underscore the university’s ongoing commitment to turning local agricultural produce into value-added, commercial-ready innovations that benefit both researchers and local farming communities.