Study eyed to prove balut’s aphrodisiac qualities

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) wants a study undertaken on the nutritional content of the Filipino delicacy balut or aged duck egg to back up anecdotal claims that it has aphrodisiac qualities.

Synan Baguio, Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD) livetock research division chief of DOST, said the agency is soliciting proposals from private universities to do a study on the “functional nutrients” of balut.

Baguio said the University of Santo Tomas may have the facilities to do the work.

“There are these anecdotal claims on balut,” Baguio told The STAR. “We just want to provide the science for that claim. Are there really nutrients that cause this? If we can prove that, it can really help in marketing of balut.”

The PCAARRD, Baguio said, was slating a series of R&D projects on balut in an effort to come up with new food products from duck egg as an oversupply was imminent due to the success of the Itik Pinas program of the DOST.

Itik Pinas involved the development of a genetically superior breeder duck with a higher average productive period of 70 percent in a year, from the low 55 percent for old duck breeds.