In a significant move towards advancing Thailand’s food technology sector, Khon Kaen University’s National Phenome Institute has joined forces with SMS Corporation to explore the frontier of resistant starch research using cutting-edge phenomics technology.
The landmark partnership was formalized on January 24, 2025, through a signing ceremony at Sirikunakorn Building’s Sarasin Room, with Khon Kaen University President, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Charnchai Panthongviriyakul, presiding over the event.
“This collaboration represents a crucial step toward positioning Thailand as a producer of high-value, technologically advanced products,” remarked Dr. Charnchai. He emphasized the university’s decade-long commitment to biological sciences, particularly in food-related technologies such as metabolomics, probiotics, and prebiotics.
SMS Corporation, a longtime leader in Thailand’s tapioca starch industry, brings its industrial expertise to the partnership. Dr. Werawat Lertwanawatana, the company’s Director and CEO, expressed enthusiasm about transforming conventional starch into resistant starch, targeting the growing health food market. “Our partnership with the National Phenome Institute will help validate our innovations on a global scale,” he stated.
The research initiative will be spearheaded by Asst. Prof. Dr. Jutarop Phetcharaburanin, Director of the National Phenome Institute, alongside research scientist Dr. Navaporn Sritong. Their team will employ advanced phenomics technology to investigate resistant starch properties at the molecular level, focusing particularly on gut health benefits.
This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Thailand’s journey toward becoming a global leader in food innovation. The partnership not only promises to advance academic research but also aims to develop practical, health-beneficial products for consumers worldwide.
The ceremony concluded with SMS Corporation representatives touring the National Phenome Institute’s state-of-the-art laboratories, where both teams engaged in detailed discussions about upcoming experimental plans and clinical research directions.
This groundbreaking partnership exemplifies Thailand’s commitment to bridging academic research with industrial applications, potentially revolutionizing the country’s food technology sector while contributing to global health and nutrition advancement.
