JOHOR BAHRU, 21 Oktober 2013 - Pumpkins, an ordinary vegetable that is usually cooked as a side dish and eat together with rice as a meal, are now enhanced as a nutritional health drink, which an equivalent to a fruit yogurt drink.

The first ever innovation with the use of vegetable-based sources instead of fruits was conducted by a Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) researcher, Dr. Uthumporn Utra @ Sapina Abdullah, through her research which started more than a year ago.

According to Sapina, pumpkin is rich in fiber, twice as much as the mango, a perfect substitute for those who are diet-conscious.

“This drink can be a substitute to yogurt since pumpkin, like yogurt, has organisms (good bacteria) living in it that helps human to improve their digestive system.

“It is also an organic product since it has been produced without the use of any artificial flavourings or colourings,” she said during the BioMalaysia and Asia Pacific Bioeconomy 2013 Exhibition at Persada International Convention Centre today.

She added the product has been named PumpCoola and besides having a unique taste, it has high levels of antioxidants as well due to the gas found naturally in pumpkin that gives a sense of drinking carbonated beverages.

“It is a water-based and milk-free product. Hence it is suitable for those who are suffering from lactose intolerance as well,” she said.

In the meantime, BioMalaysia and Asia Pacific Bioeconomy 2013 was launched by the Menteri Besar of Johor, Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.

Khaled said in his speech that having international exhibitions and conferences in Johor will help to enhance its role as one of the biotech hubs which are currently being developed in the country.

He said, Johor is highly competitive to do collaborations in the biotech industry and is ready to strengthen its networks with any strategic partners who are interested to invest in the state.

“Many benefits are to be gained through this programme, especially things that involve the solving of any issues related to food security, health care, and sustainable energy using bio-based technology,” he said.

BioMalaysia and Asia Pacific Bioeconomy 2013 was attended by 160 local and foreign exhibitors, together with institutions of higher education, bio-based companies, and government agencies.

This annual event brought together researchers and investors from countries such as China, Singapore, Japan, Korea, United States, and Netherlands. - Translation: Siti Faizah Abd Halim/Photos: Marziana Mohamed Alias