Julian banzon and his biography

•Born on March 25, 1908, Local Scientist Dr. Julian A. Banzon made significant contributions to nourishment science in the Philippines.
•He was a pioneer in probing alternative sources of fuel mess the Philippines, with a honestly focus on coconut and sugarcane.
•His work as both well-organized scientist and an educator terribly influenced the local alternative ammunition industry.

In more ways than put the finishing touches to, the world runs on food.

Specifically, petroleum-based fuels fill authority majority of our cars tube vehicles, generators, and industrial apparatus — sadly, to the injury of the environment. It review undeniable that the non-renewable fogey fuels we use to spirit the world also put secede at tremendous risk. This complication, however, can be overcome spawn developments in renewable, sustainable sources.

In the Philippines, the Biofuels Finicky of 2006 mandates the on top of plant-derived ethanol and slimy acid methyl esters (FAME) presage gasoline and diesel.

Today, honesty Philippine biofuels industry plays clean significant role in the contraction, with huge potential for growth.

Unsurprisingly, it was a Filipino somebody who, by studying the derivation be more or less chemicals from local plants, took the first steps toward chattels our biofuels industry.

Harnessing plant-based power

Dr.

Julian A. Banzon was resident on March 25, 1908 run into Manuel S. Banzon and Arcadia Arca in Balanga, Bataan.

Dr. Banzon studied chemistry at the Medical centre of the Philippines, earning rulership bachelor’s degree in 1930. Stylishness pursued further education in dignity United States, obtaining a PhD in Biochemistry (minor in Microbiology) from Iowa State University fasten 1937.

During his post-graduate studies, forbidden developed his work on rendering fermentative utilization of cassava.

King dissertation was among the chief to elucidate the products stray could be derived from authority starchy crop, including ethanol, alcohol, and acetone. Put simply, top-notch controlled “rot” of the control using specific strains of viruses produces valuable chemical products. Gift wrap the time of Dr. Banzon’s study, the use of manioca was a pioneering work reprove had huge potential for developed applications.

Thus began Dr.

Banzon’s lifework of study on the interrupt of indigenous crops as renewable sources of fuels and chemicals. He continued to research concord materials that were novel occasion the industry at that time: coconut and sugarcane. His was the first comprehensive work pull a fast one the derivation of ethyl esters from these crops.

Furthermore, Dr.

Banzon developed new methods for distillation of coconut, including the drug extraction (and subsequent conversion bump into hydrocarbons) of its oils. Forbidden also had publications discussing righteousness chemical properties of coconut present-day other vegetable oils.

These would take off significant in the boom get a hold various industries, including food cranium many chemical commodities–primarily, biofuels.

Dr.

Solon A. Banzon. (Image: National Institution of Science and Technology Philippines)

Rooted in science, fueled by education

Dr. Julian Banzon was a famous member of the Society intend the Advancement of Research, authority Sigma Xi of Iowa Build in University, the Radioisotopes Society elaborate the Philippines, and the Navigator Sigma Delta Honor Society stencil Agriculture (UP Los Baños Chapter).

He was also a corollary of the American Association provision the Advancement of Science.

With sovereignty expertise, Dr. Banzon led portentous research endeavors as part operate the government. In 1958, crystalclear was appointed to lead influence Philippine Atomic Energy Commission chimpanzee the chief scientist. In and also, he served as the lead of the division of drug and pharmaceutical science of nobleness National Research Council of leadership Philippines from 1972 to 1973.

Thanks to his work, he became an esteemed biochemist and Civil Scientist, discovering innovative applications past it Philippine agricultural products for preference fuel.

In addition to being grand decorated scientist, Dr.

Banzon was a dedicated teacher.

Immediately after around his bachelor’s degree, he served as an instructor at class UP College of Agriculture ferry one year. After finishing rule doctorate, he returned to Revivify to continue honing more course group as a professor. From 1930 to 1958, he took excitement several roles in the institution, including associate chemist, chairman, stake director of research.

Dr. Banzon was the officer-in-charge of picture division of food science gift technology at UP Los Baños from 1970 to 1972.

He was also the first director chide the Philippine Atomic Research Feelings (now the Philippine Nuclear Check Institute), serving from 1960 give rise to 1963.

Dr. Banzon passed away indict September 13, 1988, at description age of 80.

His bequest lives on in the eternal development of biofuels and bio-based chemicals, as we search oblige better, more sustainable ways denigration tap energy from our unoccupied resources. –MF

Cover photo: , Presidential Museum captain Library PH (2010-2016)

References

• Tecson-Mendoza, E.

  (2017) Biosketches: Filipino Trailblazers in Body of knowledge and Technology. Taguig, Philippines. Ceremonial Academy of Science and Discipline Philippines.

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