The utility model patent filed by the Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine Research and Development (PCAMRD) for the Seaweed-Based Air Freshener Gel was issued by the Philippine Intellectual Patent Office (IPO) last 09 March 2007 with Patent No. UM-15501. Dr. Marco Nemesio Montaño, professor, and Ms. Banaag A. Glorioso-Lajera, Research Associate, of the Marine Science Institute at the University of the Philippines, Diliman developed this unique air freshener gel.
The use of seaweeds as a base ingredient for air fresheners has improved the quality of those existing in the market today. Air freshener gels, specifically, usually last only for two to three weeks whereas some soft gels, which may contain soft paraffin, even cause clogging in air-conditioning units. In addition, air freshener gels are costly due to the high production cost of its base ingredient, carrageenan. Carrageenan is an algal polysaccharide used to give the air freshener gel a clear appearance. It is extracted from certain types of seaweeds using chemicals and equipment which result in increased production cost. Dr. Montaño and Glorioso-Lajera address concerns on the shelf-life, environmental effect, and market cost of air-freshener gels in their utility model, the Seaweed-Based Air Freshener Gel.
The Seaweed-Based Air Freshener Gel uses dried Eucheuma sp. seaweeds as base. Eucheuma is a red seaweed cultivated in the southern part of the Philippines and is one of the top five exports of the country. This type of seaweed contains carrageenan and cellulosic materials. However, instead of extracting the carrageenan, the whole seaweed is used, thus, reducing the cost of production. The gel produced using the whole dried seaweed is not translucent in form. However, the gel strength remains the same as that of the carrageenan-based gel. Dr. Montaño used hard paraffin and diatomaceous earth (decalite) to control the release of the essence in the gel resulting in a prolonged shelf-life. Moreover, hard paraffin does not evaporate in room temperature therefore preventing the clogging of air-conditioning units. Also, the residue of the Seaweed-Based Air Freshener Gel is biodegradable, thus making the product environment-friendly.
The patent of the utility model Seaweed-Based Air Freshener Gel will last for five years starting from the date of issuance as indicated in the Republic Act No. 165, Section 58 of the Intellectual Property Code [1]. A trademark application for the brand name of the product has also been filed with the Philippine IPO.
Dr. Nemesio Montaño E. Montaño is a professor at the Marine Science Institute of the University of the Philippines, Diliman. His field of expertise is on Marine Chemistry. His works are concentrated on natural products from marine organisms and on seaweed chemistry and utilization. Dr. Montaño is widely published in international journals such as Coastal Marine Science, Mar Ecol Prog Ser, and Botanica Marina.
Ms. Banaag Glorioso-Lajera is a former Research Associate of Dr. Montaño and is currently the head of Seaweed Processing at CP Kelco Inc. in Cebu City.
By MMRParreño
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[1] According to the Bureau of Patents of the Philippine Intellectual Property Office, patent grant is awarded to Invention, Utility Model and Industrial Design which are filed before January 1, 1998. From the said date onwards, a new law was imposed which grants Patent to Invention and Certificate of Registration to Utility Model and Industrial Design.
