GROUNDBREAKING research with the potential to reshape the global food industry emerged at the 2026 Annual Research Conference, hosted by Northern Caribbean University (NCU), at which scientists, academics, and thought leaders gathered under the theme ‘Research Evidence Transforming Minds, Cultures and Futures’.

Among the standout presentations was a study by Dr Joneshia Bryan Thomas whose work on plant-based preservatives is gaining attention for its potential to replace widely used synthetic food additives, a release from NCU said.

Bryan Thomas’s research focuses on extracts derived from Morus nigra (black mulberry) and Fragaria (strawberry), sub-Albion — plants commonly found in the Caribbean but now being positioned as powerful tools in modern food science.

“If these compounds are potent enough to inhibit organisms that cause human disease, why are we not harnessing them more deliberately in the food systems that serve those same patients?” Bryan Thomas questioned.

Her findings highlight the ability of these plant extracts to act as both antimicrobial and antioxidant agents, offering a dual-function solution to food spoilage and safety.

The research comes at a time when global scrutiny of synthetic preservatives is intensifying.

Additives such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), nitrites, and sulphites, commonly used to extend shelf life, are increasingly believed to be linked to health and regulatory concerns.

“The urgency is significant and growing,” Bryan Thomas said. “We already have evidence of harm but the industry lacks scalable, scientifically validated, natural alternatives.”

Her work aims to bridge that gap by providing measurable, evidence-based data that could inform both policy and industry practice.

Beyond global markets, the implications for the Caribbean are particularly significant. Bryan Thomas emphasised that food spoilage remains a major regional challenge, driven by tropical climates, inconsistent cold storage infrastructure, and heavy reliance on food imports.

“Food spoilage in the Caribbean is not just an economic issue; it is a food security issue. Post-harvest losses in some categories exceed 30 to 40 per cent,” she said.

By utilising locally grown plants like mulberry and strawberry the research points to solutions that are both sustainable and regionally accessible.

“These are not imported technologies. They are resources we already have,” said the NCU assistant professor.

A notable aspect of the study is its integration of traditional knowledge with modern scientific methods. Both plants have long histories of medicinal use across multiple cultures.

“Traditional knowledge is the starting point. Science allows us to translate that knowledge into reproducible, evidence-based applications,” said Bryan Thomas.

Through detailed phytochemical profiling her team identified key bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and phenols, responsible for the extracts’ antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.

Conference organisers noted that the research aligns closely with this year’s theme, demonstrating how evidence-based inquiry can influence both mindset and practise.

“Research does not merely describe the world as it is. It creates the evidential foundation for the world as it could be,” Bryan Thomas stated.

Her work challenges long-standing assumptions within the food industry, particularly the belief that synthetic additives are inherently superior.

“When scientists see statistically significant results from Caribbean-grown plants, that becomes a mind-changing moment,” she added.

As the conference concluded, Bryan Thomas encouraged young researchers to pursue meaningful, impact-driven work.

“Start with a question you genuinely care about and always think about who benefits from your research,” she said.

With increasing demand for safer, more sustainable food systems, studies like the one done by Bryan Thomas may soon move from the laboratory to the marketplace, marking a significant shift in how food is preserved, produced, and consumed worldwide, the release said.