If we want to realise the billion-dollar potential of Fiji’s kava industry, we must invest in more comprehensive, home-grown, scientific research in our local institutions, says John Sanday, executive chairman of Kava Korp, one of the country’s leading kava exporters.
Mr Sanday made the comments at a recent ceremony to celebrate the graduation of Azekah Swamy from the University of the South Pacific (USP), with a Master of Science in Chemistry.
The achievement was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Institute of Applied Sciences (IAS) and Kava Korp who provided full financial support in the form of a scholarship to Ms Swamy.
Her thesis, ‘Extraction and analysis of fresh stems and roots of noble Fiji Kava plant cultivars’, studied the various kava extraction methods available, including the ancient Fijian method of using human saliva in yaqona preparation.
The research also looked into the ash and moisture contents of the varieties tested, delving further to study the total phenol and flavonoid mass content of each.
“There were interesting findings from Ms Swamy’s research, opening up further questions about the roles of phenols and flavonoids in the kava plant that work with kavalactones to produce its full effect,” Mr Sanday said.
“One particular finding raised the question of how to sweeten the natural taste of kava during growth, which is an intriguing area for future study.”
The company plans to build on this knowledge and further investigate two specific areas identified in Ms Swamy’s research.
“The future of the kava industry lies in kava extracts and this study offers valuable insights on the performance of Fiji varieties using the various extraction methods available today,” Mr Sanday said.
“With demand for kava extracts already outpacing demand for kava powder, Fiji must position itself to keep up, or risk being left behind.”
The company urges the private sector to leverage USP’s scientific capabilities for deeper research into local foods and plants that could be commercialised for export.
“We must invest in our future and our human resources to stay competitive in the global market,” said Mr Sanday.
“We are proud to be the first local company to enter into such a research arrangement with IAS for commercial and private sector scientific research.”
Kava Korp extended its gratitude to Isoa Korovulavula and his team at USP’s IAS for their support to Ms Swamy during her research.
SOURCE: KAVA KORP