SRC developing ginger as a neutraceutical

THE Scientific Research Council (SRC) is now developing ginger as a nutraceutical, in response to growing demand for the product.

“A nutraceutical is a bio-active compound which, when included in our diet, promotes wellness and health, by preventing diseases. It does not cure diseases but it prevents them,” said Ann Marie Smith, the SRC’s product and development research manager.

Smith said ginger was in huge demand as a remedy for nausea, and it also lowers cholesterol and triclyglycerides, which were associated with hypertension or high blood pressure.

The SRC is undertaking the venture in collaboration with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Bodles Research Station, the Natural Product Institute and the Biotechnology Department at the University of the West Indies, and the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ).

Castleton Gardens restored

THE Castleton Gardens in St Mary has been restored, following the devastation caused by Hurricanes Ivan, Dennis and Emily.

The garden, established in 1862, is bordered by the Wag Water River and remains a national attraction for visitors to the parish.

Restoration of the facility was done between May and September of last year, and was carried out at a cost of $2.7 million.

Among the works carried out were the re-fencing of the facility, the construction of a new gazebo and the repairing of three others, and the rebuilding of the manager’s residence.

The restoration was done by the Public Gardens Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and Land, in conjunction with the Office of National Reconstruction (ONR).

The restored facility was showcased at the Castleton Gardens Open Day and Earth Expo held on the grounds of the facility, recently.

More Hatians vote in parliamentary election than initially projected

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) – At least a million Haitians voted in an election runoff to choose a new parliament, double the initial estimate given by some international observers, UN officials said yesterday.

An official count showed at least 30 per cent of Haiti’s 3.5 million registered voters participated in Friday’s election, said David Wimhurst, a spokesman for the UN peacekeeping mission, citing data from Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council.

Final results are expected as early as today.

Wimhurst said the participation figure represented “a big step forward” compared to past legislative races in Haiti, despite a claim by a European Union observer team that turnout was poor.

“The fact that we got 30 per cent, or one million voters, is not negligible. We consider this a very successful effort,” he said.

Many voters in this impoverished Caribbean nation were slow to turn up at polling stations in the early hours of balloting, prompting the head EU election observer, Johan Van Hecke, to call the turnout “extremely weak”. He estimated the participation at no more than 15 per cent.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Van Hecke said that estimate was based on “preliminary information” but stood by his assessment that participation was low.