PUP Creates its own Ethyl Alcohol Variant to Combat Coronavirus

Last updated on May 13th, 2021 at 06:03 am

Given the scarcity of alcohol and hand sanitizers due to the coronavirus outbreak, the Philippine Polytechnic University (PUP) has developed its version of ethyl alcohol that can help fight the spread of the virus.

Dr. Armin S. Coronado, director of the University Institute for Science and Technology Research, said that a pilot alcohol batch was developed on March 11, following the specifications and guidelines of Food and Drug Administration.

In the midst of increasing safety issues with the growth of COVID-19 patients, the University Institute for Science and Technology Research (ISTR) developed a local version of ethyl alcohol, in compliance with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) criteria and guidelines.

Coronado added that it is expected that more lots will be made as soon as the raw materials are available next week as his team aims to produce at least 20 gallons of alcohol per month.

The production and processing of the alcohol at the newly founded Engineering and Science Research Center is scheduled to begin before the end of this month.

In view of the dwindling availability, health workers and other frontline staff in the fight against COVID-19 appealed for medical supplies such as water, face masks, and other personal protective equipment (PPE).