While edible vaccines using banana and tomato are currently being studied by plant molecular biologists and immunologists at the University of the Philippines Manila and Los Baños to cure salmonella typhii, studies on edible vaccines to cure other infectious diseases including the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are also being considered for possible production.

According to Arlene Obmerga of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources Research and Development under the Department of Science and Technology (PCARRD-DoST), studies on the possible production of edible vaccine against infectious agents such as Escherichia coli or E. coli, Vibrio cholerae and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are being considered by Filipino plant molecular biologists and immunologists for possible production in the country.

Based on research, salmonella typhii is a pathogen which causes typhoid fever while E. coli can cause severe cases of diarrhea in all age groups by producing a powerful endotoxin and may be caused by poor toilet hygiene as well as other unsanitary practices.

It can be recalled that E. coli had been a hot topic during the summer after a daughter of a congressman died of the said infection.

Dr. Nina Gloriani Barzaga informed that edible vaccines “are cost-effective and reliable in production and delivery, especially for developing countries like the Philippines.”

“Compared with injectable vaccines, edible vaccines are easier, simpler and cheaper to administer and are more acceptable to the public,” she said.

Obmerga said the edible vaccines are envisioned to be consumed in powder form or dry form and packed in sachets so as to enable vaccine to mix with food and drinks.

UPLB Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) division head Dr. Pablito Magdalita earlier said that with genetic engineering, the Philippines can produce an edible vaccine against Salmonella typhii made from banana which could cut down the country’s expenses on vaccine importation since vaccines against the Salmonella typhii “is not locally available.”