Urgent Research Topics Highlighted at the Workshop “Potential Research Directions for the 2024 Science and Technology Program of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province and Neighboring Areas”

LIST OF 24 RESEARCH TOPICS IN THE 05 RESEARCH GROUPS

Group: Agriculture - Biology - Food:

1.    Research the application of combining new technologies to diversify specialties from Hoai Son root powder and lotus seeds in the Ba Ria - Vung Tau province (BR-VT) with other valuable powders: yam powder, arrowroot powder, green banana powder, etc. Producing high-value resistant starch foods to prevent diabetes, fight obesity - aid in weight loss, and boost immunity.

2.      Combining Hoai Son root and yam powder from the BR - VT region with turmeric powder, kaempferia galanga powder, and Lion’s Mane Mushroom powder to produce pills that help regulate and combat stomach and intestinal diseases. Collaborated with Bau May Company to cultivate, process, and upgrade the products.

3.     Research the grafting Ex-Situ seedless lychee varieties from Thanh Ha - Hai Duong, Luc Ngan - Bac Giang, and Japan for the BR-VT mid-mountain region, aiming to develop strategies for fruit trees in the south with high export potential.

4.      Research the application of irradiation technology and biotechnology to select mutated varieties of Vung Tau's specialty thick-fleshed, small-seeded longan trees, to produce low, high-quality yield trees with the potential for specialized cultivation zones and exports. This aims to improve Vung Tau's specialty longan to increase productivity and exports. (In collaboration with the Vung Tau Fruit Center, with a cycle of about 3 years).

5.      Research to select superior strains of plants in the BR-VT region for valuable starches: Hoai Son, lesser yam, edible canna rhizome , lotus, etc., rich in active ingredients and nutrients for food and pharmaceutical technology.

6.      Research the integration of technology to produce nutritious energy drinks from agricultural materials in Binh Thuan and BR-VT province: winter melon, gum karaya, Lion’s Mane Mushroom, etc. (in collaboration with Trang An Phat Company, Bau May Company, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Department of Industry and Trade).

7.      Research improving the technology for purifying hot mineral water from the Binh Chau - Vung Tau province, used to produce energy drinks with Lion’s Mane Mushroom and Vung Tau longan (can be linked with topic number 6).

8.     The application of irradiation technology and biotechnology to create and select mutated sweet dragon fruit strains and short-day varieties, transferring to main cultivation areas like Binh Thuan, Long An, etc. (Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Science and Technology, Vung Tau Fruit Center).

9.     Research to select superior strains of giant sweet sorghum from the Dong Nai and BR-VT regions for nutrient-rich animal feed and to produce high-yield biomass for bioethanol fuel production.

Group: Medical

10. Research fermentation technology for biomass rich in active ingredients from specific golden Lingzhi mushrooms - Hoang Kim Chi Tomophagus in the Southeast region - BR-VT, producing anti-cancer products and support treatment alongside new medicine like Savolitinib, Gefitinib, Imatinib, Ruxolitinib, Erlotinib, etc.

11. Expand cultivation of the new purple Lingzhi Humphreya endertii and black Lingzhi Moderna subresinosum combined with purple Morinda officinalis in the Southeast region and blended with herbal medicines (Licorice, Magnolia flowers, etc.) to produce medical herbs for cardiovascular disease prevention and treatment.

12. Research on the application of Selenium enrichment technology in the biomass of Shiitake Lentinula mushrooms and Abalone mushrooms, Lingzhi  Ganoderma mushrooms rich in active ingredients and the Ergothioneine - Glutathione group, analyzing and predicting the structure and activity of the Se/S form to diversify new functional foods that anti-aging and against cancer.

Group: Industry and Trade: Department of Industry and Trade, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

13. Research integrating technology to develop aquaculture farms with solar-powered roofing systems and circulating water filtration - applying technology to optimize the system.

14. Implement centers and labs for molecular testing and new Biosensor - Cantilever systems at VLU to quickly diagnose accurate disease outbreaks and analyze food, drug, and cosmetic safety in the uncontrolled and high risk market among the Southeast region, collaborating with BR - VT province (Department of Health, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Veterinary Department, Department of Industry and Trade, etc.).

Group: Environmental Resources, connected with Culture, Sports, and Tourism: Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

15. Digitize surveys to assess biodiversity in the Con Dao region, provide solutions to restore and protect many forest types and establish a Natural History Museum in Con Dao, BR-VT province with a Marine Museum for education and tourism.

16.  Digitize surveys of diverse herbal and precious mushroom resources in the semi-mountainous Xuyen Moc forest surrounding the Minh - Dam historical site, Binh Chau hot spring area - Binh Chau - Phuoc Buu National Park with the aim to embellish, conserve, and develop a herbal garden, eco-tourism, and farms.

17. Research digital transformation of the database for evaluation, and development of cultural and historical tourism routes for Vo Thi Sau Memorial house, Minh - Dam Guerilla Base, and Con Dao historical sites.

18. Research the selection of cultural festivals from Russia, China, Korea, Japan, and Vietnam to establish new international sports and cultural festival value chains in BR-VT.

19. Survey and analyze radiation levels in coastal sand areas and potential radiation anomaly points; Digitally convert radiation geological maps with areas rich in Molybdenum, Zirconium, Titanium, and other rare earth elements for recovery and refining technologies in the Vung Tau, Binh Thuan region.

20. Research the use of organic waste and strong acid fermentation residues from Vedan Company (Dong Nai and Vung Tau province), combined with agricultural by-products, to neutralize Red Muds from Bauxite - Alumin extraction and processing into fertile planting soil.

21.  Research solutions to protect against soil pollution from crude oil sludge and waste oil using organic bio-waste

22. Research the production of safe cement sheets for efficient, high-quality oyster farming, and eliminate the use of toxic asbestos-containing Fibro cement sheets.

Group: Department of Transportation, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Department of Construction.

23. Survey, analyze, and integrate AI technology to calculate and digitize maps predicting areas at risk of landslides, subsidence, and local flooding due to natural and human-caused disasters in the BR-VT region.

24. The Application and Enhancement of Technology to Process Coffee Grounds into Bio-Sand and Red Mud for the Production of new High-Potential Concrete in Construction Materials.