By AIT Public Affairs
23 September 2024: Two AIT students, Mr. Ranjit Singh, a doctoral student in Food Engineering and Bioprocess Technology (FEBT), and Mr. Johnmel Valerozo, a master’s student in Food Innovation, Nutrition, and Health (FINH), from the Department of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources (FANR) at AIT’s School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD), will represent AIT and Thailand at the “2024 SDG Olympiad.” This global competition empowers students to tackle environmental and health challenges related to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Singh and Valerozo won the country-level SDG Summer School competition, organized by AIT’s Entrepreneurship Center and the University of Geneva in August, with their project “Mindful Milk.” This innovative plant-based probiotic milk, designed to enhance gut and mental health, earned them a prize of 1,500 Euros and a trip to France. They will compete at the global “SDG Olympiad” in Paris, France, on September 25-26, 2024.
The winning product “Mindful Milk”, a plant-probiotic based innovative beverage has been developed and analyzed and ready to scale up. “Mindful Milk” is a unique, plant-based probiotic beverage developed to support gut and brain health by promoting the production of serotonin and dopamine. Research shows that 90% of neurotransmitters are produced in the gut, and plants provide essential amino acids vital for this process. Fermentation further increases peptide levels, making plant-based nutrition a powerful tool for supporting mental health. The product’s distinctive formulation, rich in probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins D and B, magnesium, zinc, and iron, sets it apart. These nutrients support brain function, improve sleep, alleviate mood disorders, and balance gut microbiota.
Prof. Anil Kumar Anal, Chair of FEBT-FINH, FANR, SERD at AIT, expressed immense pride in his students’ remarkable achievement. “I am incredibly proud of our students for their innovative work on Mindful Milk, which perfectly exemplifies how AIT research tackles global health challenges, particularly the growing focus on gut and brain health. Developed in the FEBT-FINH Lab, Mindful Milk is now ready for commercialization, contributing not only to improved health but also to a sustainable food system. This achievement showcases the transformative potential of research-driven innovation at AIT.”
The FEBT-FINH academic program at AIT focuses on developing functional foods and beverages enriched with high protein, fibers, vitamins, and minerals from plant-based ingredients. It has been supported by various government and development agencies, as well as partnerships with academic and research institutions and enterprises. Mr. Valerozo is currently involved in a research project at Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Philippines, titled “Advancing Ilocos IFP Food Systems Through Academia-Industry Collaborative Research and Innovations Toward Healthy Food Security,” which focuses on developing probiotic functional foods. AIT and MMSU have been collaborating on probiotic research since 2023.
Winners Reflection
“Winning this competition is an incredible milestone for our team. It reflects the hard work and commitment we have put into creating Mindful Milk, a product we believe can make a real difference in people’s health. We are beyond excited to represent AIT and Thailand in Paris and hope to highlight the role of functional foods in improving gut and mental well-being.” Ranjit Singh
“This victory feels surreal, and I am grateful to have worked with such an inspiring team. The SDG Summer School gave us a platform to turn our vision for Mindful Milk into reality. We are looking forward to competing at the SDG Olympiad and showcasing our innovation while learning from other talented teams worldwide.” — Johnmel Valerozo.
