October 21, 2021 – Khon Kaen University’ Northeast Science Park Administrative Institute led by Miss Pornchawarat Thanman, Manager of the Industrial Cooperation Division and the officers visited the site to evaluate the project, “Technology Transfer to Upgrade the Production of Cricket-Powdered Protein Noodles from Chumphae Thapthim Rice Flour”. This is the research work by Ajarn Wannasiri Wannasuebchua, a lecturer of the Faculty of Technology, Udonthani Rajabhat University, the project head and her team under the Tech-transfer to Community project. The team was met by the representatives of the Insect Enterprise Group, experts, and officers at the Insect Enterprise Group, Nonhan Sub-district, Chumphae District, Khon Kaen.
This project began when the Science Park, KKU conducted a survey and evaluated the community needs. It was found that the Insect Enterprise Group of Chumphae Distruct, Khon Kaen, had been working on cricket farming and manufacturing certain product from Chumphae Thapthim Rice. This kind of rice is red in color like pomegranate and also contains high quantity of antioxidants, namely, phenolic and flavonoids. The group wanted to make their existing raw material into a new product, the cricket-powdered protein noodle from Chumphae Thapthim rice flour. The Science Park therefore contacted specialized researchers for the group. The researchers transferred the required technologies and manufacturing process to the Insect Enterprise Group. The group was assisted through the development of protein noodles until the noodles had the satisfactory texture and do not tear apart easily. The noodles add to the nutritious value to the consumers, especially those with celiac disease. The outcome of this project assists the community enterprise to have its own appropriate manufacturing formula with high standard. It also builds opportunities to expand the market of health food, leading to increase of incomes and employment and in the long-run self- dependency and sustainability.
The Tech-transfer to Community activity is an area-based Innovation for community, which has been allocated budget under the project to upgrade the rural economy and quality of life with knowledge, wisdom and innovation, which is a project of the Science, Research and Innovation Promotion and Coordination Division, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. The objectives are to upgrade the entrepreneurs in the regions who are affected by the spread of Covid-19 and to develop the social, economic and innovation of Thailand.
News: Natthakan
Photos / Information: Araya
