SHERIDAN Hibbert, 32, is a scientist who believes research should lead to products that have commercial value and enhance living standards. “To survive in the real world, research cannot just be about analysing the data and generating reports,” said Hibbert, a research scientist of eight years employed to the state-run Scientific Research Council.

“We have to find a way to make money from what we have done so that we may improve the standard of living for Jamaicans.”

Hibbert is currently investigating the antioxidant properties in three local plants – gungo (Cajanus cajan); corilita (Antigonan leptopus); and match-me-not (Wilkesiana acalypha) – as part of his graduate studies in chemistry.

Gungo is noted for its protein-rich peas, which locals use as a complement to rice, while corilita is known for its use in treating the common cold, and match-me-not is used as a salve for wounds.

“What I hope to see is more persons benefiting from research and development, not just academically, but financially where you can actually make some serious money,” said Hibbert, 32.

“As a country, this is where we are lacking.”

The right breakthrough on plant-based research could have implications for the treatment of degenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and diabetes, since antioxidants are reputed to prevent cell damage caused by free radicals.

An estimated 8-10 per cent of Jamaicans over 60 years old suffer from Alzheimer’s, said Dr Denise Eldemire-Shearer, who heads the Jamaica Council for Senior Citizens.

Five per cent of those, she said, fall between 60 and 70, with the percentage increasing in persons over 70 years old.

Diabetes, referred to as a lifestyle disease, affects more than 17 per cent or 300,000 Jamaicans over 15 years old, in the interim, according to Owen Bernard, executive director of the Diabetes Association of Jamaica.

The majority, 70 per cent, are Type II diabetes, which is where the body fails to produce enough insulin or otherwise ignores the insulin that is produced. The result is that the body fails to process sugar, leaving cells starved for sugar, which can lead to damage to kidneys, eyes and nerve cells.

Hibbert is testing whether his three plants have significant antioxidant properties to make a difference to such diseases.

“Free radical damage is associated or has links to degenerative diseases, which would include Alzheimer’s, some cancers and diabetes. Antioxidants tie in now because they are able to neutralise the effects of the free radicals,” he said.

“What I am doing currently is trying to find out which compounds in the plant are responsible for the antioxidant activity, by doing isolation and purification,” he added.

What will follow, he said, is work on the structure of the compound and subsequent tests on the potency of the antioxidant property of the plants.

The outcome of his research aside, Hibbert said his studies are also helping to sharpen his research skills while allowing him the opportunity to indulge his love of chemistry.

“Chemistry has always been something that I love and chemistry has been good to me. I make a living out of chemistry,” he said, adding that it was past time for science and scientific research to start making the island some money.

“We have generated lots of ideas, collected lots of data and actually prepared samples. But we haven’t developed many products that we have been able to market sustainably, internationally,” he said.

A chemistry graduate of the University of the West Indies, class of 1998, Hibbert has worked with SRC for four years as a research scientist in the Natural Products Unit.

He is one of the five researchers in the unit headed by Dr Lawrence Williams.

Williams is himself engaged in cancer research using guinea hen weed. As a research scientist with the SRC, Hibbert’s job is testing plant extracts and product development. He is part of a team working on products to kickstart a nutraceuticals industry in Jamaica.

“I hope I can contribute to us being recognised internationally, especially with regard to herbs and nutraceuticals,” he said.

“And that’s a tall order.”

williamsp@jamaicaobserver.com