News--Welcome to National Chiayi University

　　On the afternoon of June 27th, Dr. Phan Thuy Hien, Deputy Director of the National Institute of Medicinal Materials (NIMM), Vietnam, led a group of researchers to visit the Lantan campus of National Chiayi University. This visit was arranged by the Science and Technology Division, Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei. The objective was to learn from experiences of the Plant Compound Extraction Technology Team, who has won the National Innovation Award for two years in a row. NCYU Vice President Ruey-Shyang Chen, Chief Secretary Yun-Wei Lin, Department of Biochemical Science and Technology Chairwoman Hsin-I Chang, Prof. Chen Cheng-Nan, Assistant Prof. Chen Yi-Yuan, Assistant Prof. Han-Ju Chien and other teachers engaged in in-depth discussions regarding the green extraction technology for intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients in new botanical drugs.

　　According to Vice President Ruey-Shyang Chen, the world is facing an aging population, and the COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the economic development. While the biotechnology industry has invested abundant resources in research and development, its energy consumption in the production stage is the largest, accounting for nearly 35% of the energy consumption in the supply chain. In order to implement sustainable management strategies in accordance with ESG, the teacher team of the NCYU Department of Biochemical Science and Technology developed the innovative technology known as "Green Chemical Extraction Technology for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients of New Botanical Drugs." The team has successfully used the green chemical technology to develop new botanical drugs and health materials. It not only meets economic and sustainable environmental needs, but creates a win-win situation for the biotechnology industry, consumers, and the environment.

　　Hsin-I Chang, Chairwoman of the Department of Biochemical Science and Technology, mentioned that the eco-friendly green solvents they developed are suitable for various temperatures with good biocompatibility, and thus a new alternative in the pharmaceutical field. They can be used as alternative solvents or in pharmaceutical formulations to improve the solubility and stability of active pharmaceutical ingredients in new botanical drugs. They can also be a new liquid form that serves as adjuvants or helps enhance absorption of active pharmaceutical ingredients, which help enhance the bioavailability, permeability, and efficacy of botanical drug ingredients, and provide an innovative alternative for drug delivery.

　　Dr. Phan Thuy Hien said that NIMM is the top research institute for medicinal plants in Vietnam. In addition to continuing technical cooperation with NCYU in the future, they will also offer more opportunities for international academic collaboration to promote the development of new botanical drugs or health materials from native medicinal plants in Taiwan and Vietnam.