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Scientific Research Council Quarterly Newsletter Volume: 2 Date: June2015 Published by Marketech Ltd.

www.src.gov.jm

SRC, Key to Nutraceutical Industry

Inside this issue: SRC, Key to Nutraceu- 1, 2, tical Industry 4 EU Funded Assists Schools

Making Bar Soap Your Business

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4& 5

Opportunity Fair 2013 6 Advertisements— *Supporting Local Tea 7 Industry *Available Formulations As Jamaicans we may be familiar with the Coralita plant (the pink bush that grows on fence) which is traditionally taken as tea to treat diabetes and similarly the Dr. Johnson bush an endemic plant found in Manchester and St. Elizabeth, also taken in the form of tea as a treatment for sinusitis and colds. Though different by nature these plants bear similar traits; they have all been used in folk medicine and have high antioxidant levels.

The potency of these plants was determined by the Scientific Research Council (SRC) after evaluating approximately 100 plants traditionally used in folklore medicine. To date the SRC has uncovered high antioxi-

dant activity in over 40% of the plants traditionally used in folk medicine and has established a database pertaining to anti-oxidant and anti- inflammatory potency of these plants. Information garnered from re-

search on these plants is important as it is used to guide development of nutraceuticals. Based on the fact that nutraceuticals are products when consumed or used, results in specific health benefits, awareness of this industry has been heightened over the years, as many see these products as a simple an attractive way to prevent diseases. The offshoot of this industry is also beneficial to the economy as it has been proven that even in rough financial periods people still continue to purchase nutraceuticals.

The

SRC’s

induction

into

the

nutraceutical industry dates back to 2003 through a joint effort with the Organization of American States where it was established that ginger as a nutraceutical agent was most potent between 6-7 months after planting. Since then, the Council‘s role has become crucial to the existence and continuance of the industry as tests are conducted and biological properties of local plants are validated in order to develop products having health benefits. This activity has facilitated the development of businesses through creation of nutraceutical products for Small and Medium Enterprises.

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Making Bar Soap Your Business The economic landscape of the world has in recent years been plagued with high levels of stagnation and unemployment, putting individuals in the difficult position of staying afloat amidst spiralling costs. Many without an income for various reasons or whose income can no longer sustain them have turned to the daily hustle to make ends meet. For others though, hustling for the mighty dollar has long since been a lifestyle.

Chasing the elusive dollar is no easy feat, but increasingly people are making inroads into this problem by becoming entrepreneurs. When thinking business the possibilities are endless as is evidenced by the plethora of products and services available in the market place. One area that has great potential as a cottage industry is that of homemade/ handmade bar soaps. This area is far from saturated and has broad appeal.

Not convinced? Well maybe these reasons can change your mind.

Why invest in the business of homemade bar soap? 

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Relatively easy start up: To start a simple bar soap business all that is required is a hand held blender, spatula, measuring cups, moulds ( just about anything can be used as a mould) and shelves for curing.

It is easy to formulate: the procedure is easy to follow.

Eliminating the four weeks curing time, soap making is a quick procedure so one can easily create sufficient amounts in a single batch.

Easy access to ingredients: Raw materials to develop a basic bar soap are readily available (materials to develop a more fancy soap can be easily sourced on the internet).

Scientific Research Council

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Quarterly newsletter Volume 2

Scientific Research Council Quarterly newsletter Volume 2

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Bar Soap Cont’d 

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www.src.gov.jm Packaging in particular can be inexpensive as just about anything ranging from dried leaves to old newspapers can be used to create a unique look.  Little or no electricity use as the hand held blender is the only electrical equipment one will use in the process, in fact some persons have eliminated the used of electricity by mixing the entire process by hand.  It is a unique but inexpensive gift item that adds a personal touch

Special soaps not readily available in the marketplace can be created: With increasing interest in natural products, persons can create bar soaps using natural additives such as essential oils/ essences, moisturizers with highly reduced chemicals to suit their needs.

Medicinal bar soaps to treat specific conditions can be created: Persons plagued with skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can have greater control over ingredients and create soaps for these conditions.

Will save you a significant amount of money and time as it can be easily formulated in the kitchen eliminating the need for a factory space.

Participants in SRC Bar Soap Making Workshop add There is a lot of room for fragrance to their soap mixture. creativity: from the ingredients used to develop the soap, the shape, smell and colour to the actual packaging, one can be as creative as is desired.

Now that your interest is piqued you maybe wondering how to enter this industry. Well fortunately formal training can be accessed in this area from the Scientific Research Council. A bar soap making workshop is hosted by the Council at least once per year with one slated for July 28-29. To register your interest, you may contact the SRC at 9271771-4 or 977-2192.

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Scientific Research Council

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Quarterly newsletter Volume 2

SRC’s Documentation Centre Commended Landing a job for a fresh University graduate is becoming increasingly difficult. Many find themselves at a disadvantage as they have no formal work experience. Recognizing this, the Documentation Centre of the Scientific Research Council has been involved in an ongoing internship programme with some of the nation’s tertiary institutions..

According to Mrs. Fagan-Brown, SRC’s Librarian “the SRC is dedicated to this programme and has in fact been conducting fieldwork training for Library and Information Studies students interns for approximately 40 years. Many of whom are now working in parish libraries and top institutions”. The programme helps students to apply theories from the classroom and gain useful practice in the workplace; they are allowed to supervise daily activities associated with administration of an information unit and gain fuller understanding of the nature of the profession; they will also develop an appreciation and awareness of the role of the information professional in the development of the organization.

Certificate of Appreciation received from the University of the West Indies

Recognizing its contribution the University of the West Indies recently commended the Documentation Centre for its role in assisting interns.

The SRC assists students from the University of the West Indies, Excelsior Community College and MICO University College .

In addition to UWI’s commendation the SRC has also received Certificate of Appreciation from the Excelsior Community College. Mrs. Fagan-Brown states that “the SRC’s participation in the work experience programme, is one way in which we contribute to the national development of education by helping to prepare future librarians.

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SRC “Making Science, Technology & Innovation Work For You”