Advancing research into natural products

Committed to the development of natural products as well as establishing efficacy and safety, dosage for herbal medicine in Nigeria, Paxherbal Clinic and Research Laboratories (Paxherbals) has partnered with the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi, Lagos (FIIRO) and the Lagos State Coconut Development Agency (LASCODA).

FIIRO has been at the forefront of innovative research in food technology, food processing and packaging technology and research in agro-allied products.

Paxherbals is already a household name within and outside Nigeria for focused and outstanding research and development of African herbal medicine.

LASCODA, which is located in Badagry last year introduced a specially-produced loaf made from coconut, known as `Eko Coconut Bread’ to promote the coconut value chain in the state.

Aside bread, LASCODA also produces coconut oil, coconut cream, soap, coconut water, hair cream, coconut body cream, coconut candy and many others, as other products that could be produced from coconut.

Coconut had been scientifically proven to have a lot of medicinal value when consumed on a regular basis including quick healing of wounds, cough and the prevention of cancer.

Director of Paxherbals, Fr. Anselm Adodo, told journalists that the scope of work to be executed by FIIRO and Pax Herbal include:

*To jointly pursue projects of mutual interest for collaboration on a non-exclusive basis. The areas to be considered include but are not limited to, joint research and development of natural products, joint patenting, and community action projects.

*To collaborate in the development of joint grant proposals to pursue initiatives in the area of development of herbal medicine, Bio-entrepreneurship, related science and innovation issues.

*To organize Bio-entrepreneurship training in the area of Bio- entrepreneurship in addition to the existing modules being undertaken by FIIRO as a joint capacity building workshop.

*To mechanize the production process most especially in the drying of aqueous extracts to powder without destroying the active ingredients and develop various forms of dryers, freezers and microwave dryers.

*To jointly promote herbal medicine, establish efficacy and safety, dosage for herbal medicine in Nigeria.

Adodo commended the efforts of FIIRO in improving the economy of Nigeria through research, training and development. He recognized one of the research efforts of FIIRO, which led to the development of the cassava bread, and many others.

Director-General of FIIRO, Prof. Gloria Elemo, expressed her delight and satisfaction in the activities of PAXHERBALS.

According to her, PAXHERBALS’ ability to maintain focus and consistency is admirable.

According to her, “FIIRO is happy and proud to associate with PAXHERBALS and is excited to officially become a close ally of PAX in drug and food research and development.”

Elemo listed some of the areas of immediate collaboration as mushroom growing and training, Moringa processing and packaging, human capacity development for young Nigeria entrepreneurs.

Meanwhile, PAXHERBALS has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on research collaboration with LASCODA. The MOU signing ceremony took place at the Lagos office of PAXHERBALS on May 23, 2018.

Adodo said the scope of the MoU with LASCODA include:

*To collaborate in areas of common interest including Technology transfer (Local and international) for mutual benefits and rapid industrialization of Lagos economy with Coconut at the Centre.

*To organize Bio-entrepreneurship training/ capacity building for the target audience of both parties using the existing modules being undertaken by PAX with Coconut Value Chain at the centre starting with the capacity building of LASCODA staff, youth and women in the Coconut producing areas of the state for skill, knowledge and attitude development.

*To pursue projects of natural interest for collaboration on a non-exclusive basis.

The areas to be considered include but are not limited to joint research and development of natural products, joint patenting and community action projects starting with but not limited to rural intervention through Village Adoption Model and rehabilitation of the oldest Coconut plantation in Nigeria at Topo Island, badagry and retention of first School of Agriculture in Nigeria therein as a monument.