We are the World Blogfest # 31: Searching for new remedies against the malarial parasite …

# WATWB – Soup War on Malaria?! At long last we are researching indigenous remedies – but in this case finding them via the cuisine of London’s ethnic community …

#WATWB

… looking into the apparent blocking of the malarial parasite in the process of transmission, through various broths.

Malarial parasite connecting to a red blood cell

In one primary school – the pupils were asked to bring in samples of clear soup made from traditional family recipes (European, North African and Middle Eastern). (London being one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the world).

The broths varied: vegetarian, chicken, or beef based were all home-made – thus no obvious particular ingredient leading to an antimalarial activity … but which was known about.

Chicken Soup

Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine have been working with the students testing their families’ broths … against two stages of the parasite: when it can infect mosquitoes, and when it can cause the disease in humans.

The research is ongoing … but the other benefit has been to engage the children in the idea of research: where it can start, and how results are evidenced … how many of them will now become scientists?

Winsor McCay's 1912 animated film:
"How a Mosquito Operates"

We live in interesting times … and as usual to this curious mind two other appropriate links appeared … a BBC programme on Li Shizhen (1518 – 1593): who is considered to be the greatest scientific naturalist of China …

… and an Ethiopian Swedish chef and restaurateur, Marcus Samuelsson, now living in New York … again from a conversation on the Beeb … bringing together those culinary influences.