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Alongside the well-known line of human health products, the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Center (CIGB is the Spanish acronym) boasts an assorted portfolio of advanced products and projects aimed at the agro-food field

A new technological generation is storming over the Cuban CIGB’s agriculture and stockbreeding research division, ranging from the farming field with advanced projects aimed at animal health to works designed for the genetic upgrading of plants through the use of biotechnological means.
Several products and projects in their different variants are underway with a view on the world markets, including such highlights as the Gavac® recombinant vaccine against cattle ticks. This vaccine has been applied for years in Cuba’s bovine population through a comprehensive control program to fight against these parasites that has eventually prompted a decline in the use of chemicals, cost-cutting outcomes in cattle production, lower death rates generated by tick-transmitted diseases and a much environment-friendlier stockbreeding process. This product is currently exported to a number of Latin American countries and negotiations to further market it through other foreign partners are underway.
Just another of CIGB’s agro-biotechnological products, with vast records of effective use, is HerberNem®, a bionematicide that triggers plant growth. This is particularly an ecological bioproduct made from a soil bacterium that allows the replacement of highly toxic traditional chemicals and cuts down on agricultural costs related to nematode plague control. Moreover, it encourages the growth and good overall health of major crops for the island nation’s economy, such as vegetables and fruits.
Research studies are also underway to come up with aquicultural products, including those that could prompt better growth and health among fish and water-borne organisms, including the line of products and projects called Acuabio®.
As far as the food industry is concerned, the CIGB has obtained the fructosesyltranferase enzyme that has allowed for the making of fructooligosaccharides, highly added-value and probiotic sugars that exert positive influence on human health by preventing diseases. These products can be used as non-caloric sweeteners and are made from the combination of the CIGB enzyme and sugar, which can also be part of functional foods, such as probiotic yogurt and ice creams.
The production of plague-fighting corn and soybean species, which are also highly tolerant to diseases and herbicides, as well as the use of plants as systems for large-scale manufacturing of pharmaceuticals for both humans and animals, are also some of top-of-the-line offers the CIGB has to make.