Editorial pubs.acs.org/JAFC
Cite This: J. Agric. Food Chem. 2018, 66, 13341−13342
Remembrance of Dr. Agnes M. Rimando (1957−2018)
J. Agric. Food Chem. 2018.66:13341-13342. Downloaded from pubs.acs.org by 5.62.159.120 on 12/27/18. For personal use only.
Internationally Recognized Natural Products Chemist Best Known for Her Discovery of the Many Health Benefits of the Antioxidant Pterostilbene and Her Distinguished Service and Contributions to the American Chemical Society at the National, Divisional, and Local Levels Agnes was diagnosed with a then-rare nervous system disease that left doctors in a quandary about treatment. Her sister recalls that this health condition further galvanized Agnes’ motivation and dedication to continue a research direction with the potential to discover medicines to treat such diseases. Rimando’s early professional years included research stints as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) scholar in Korea, where she performed her M.S. thesis, and as a Monbusho Research Scholar at the University School of Medicine in Hiroshima, Japan (1985−1987). Her quest for excellence next led her to pursue Ph.D. studies at the University of Illinois in Chicago (UIC), and according to her brother, this is where she would fulfill her dream of “working with high-caliber researchers and scientists of the U.S.A.”. She completed her Ph.D. in pharmacognosy (the study of medicinal drugs obtained from plants or other natural sources) in 1993. Dr. Rimando joined the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), in 1994, starting as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Russell Research Center in Athens, Georgia. In 1996, she joined the USDA−ARS Natural Products Utilization Research Unit in Oxford, Mississippi, ultimately becoming a research chemist and lead scientist. Her work involved isolation, chemical structure elucidation, qualitative and quantitative analyses, synthesis, and determination of biological activity of phytochemicals for nutraceutical and toxicologically benign pesticide use. Authoring nearly 200 scientific papers and editing several books on the chemistry of plants, Dr. Rimando became a world famous natural products chemist. Her plant chemistry expertise was sought out by many, as evidenced by her being an invited speaker, often the keynote or plenary speaker, for many scientific meetings throughout the world. She also served as an international consultant for the USDA and the U.S. State Department in Rwanda and Colombia. She was fearless, willing to tackle any problem wherever it took her. Since 2004, her research focused on the bioactivity of the stilbene group of phenolic compounds, particularly the compound pterostilbene isolated from blueberries but also found in grapes and other berries. With her collaborators, novel protein and enzyme targets were discovered providing mechanisms [activation of the transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and decrease in phosphorylation of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) in the hippocampus] and new activities of pterostilbene that promote multiple health benefits. For instance, pterostilbene was shown
Photo courtesy of USDA.
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r. Agnes Rimando’s novel and impactful research in phyto- and natural products chemistry, natural pesticides, and health beneficial constituents of foods has spanned the past three decades. Her exceptionally productive career has received national and international publicity. Worldwide, she is best known for her discovery and study of the many health benefits of pterostilbene, a methylated resveratrol compound that she was the first to identify in blueberries. Rimando is a co-inventor on seven related patents, three of which have been licensed for commercialization of at least 40 pterostilbenecontaining products currently on the market. Blueberry sale increases of up to 185% in the U.K. have been attributed to her research results. Her many honors include selection as a Fellow of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and receiving the society’s prestigious Kenneth A. Spencer Award for “Outstanding Achievement in Agricultural & Food Chemistry” in recognition of her work to better understand the science behind natural foods and food products. Sadly, Dr. Rimando died unexpectedly on July 12, 2018 after a short illness. She is survived by her mother, five sisters, two brothers, and a large extended family. She also leaves behind many close colleagues, collaborators, and friends. Rimando, or Agnes to her close friends and associates, hailed from Rosario, La Union in the Philippines. Her scientific inclinations were apparent from early childhood. Two of Agnes’ sisters recalled her delight in conducting experiments on plants and animals in their father’s garden and her curiosity about how their maternal grandfather, an “albularyo”1 or healer, relied on herbs and plants to treat ailments in rural villages unreached by medical practitioners. In high school, she received numerous “Best in Science” citations and awards, going on to earn both her B.S. (1980) and M.S. (1985) in pharmacy at the University of the Philippines. Her brother recalls that her choice was in-part influenced by her godmother having completed a B.S. pharmacy. During her B.S. studies, © 2018 American Chemical Society
Received: November 26, 2018 Published: December 13, 2018 13341
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b06550 J. Agric. Food Chem. 2018, 66, 13341−13342
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Editorial
kind, and possessed integrity. Also, for AGFD, she has served as a councilor, judge for graduate student and young scientist competitions, and member of both the Executive Committee and the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry Editorial Advisory Board. At the national ACS level, she served as a member of the International Activities Committee (IAC), chair for IAC’s Asia Pacific Basin subcommittee (since 2013), and a National Awards Committee member. Dr. Rimando was also responsible for initiating the first ever international scientific conference between an ACS division and an ACS International Chapter, promoting ACS and AGFD in Asia. In collaboration with the ACS Thailand Chapter, the “1st Joint Symposium on Agricultural and Food Chemistry” held in Bangkok in 2014 received an Innovative Program Grant, drew 180 participants from 12 countries, and was recognized with the Partners for Progress and Prosperity Award given by the ACS.2 Rimando was also active in her local Ole Miss ACS section. She was a founding member and former President of the American Council for Medicinally Active Plants (ACMAP). Her loss leaves a big hole for our ACS Division of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. The ACS and natural products/plant chemistry communities have lost one of their greatest contributors, and I have lost an exceptional and dear friend. We miss you Agnes!
to bring about hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects in the body as well as reducing proteins that become elevated in states of anxiety. As a natural compound supporting reduction of obesity, cholesterol, oxidative stress, memory deficits, including Alzheimer’s disease, and anxiety, pterostilbene performs as well as or better than synthetic prescription medications. Patents based on her and her collaborator’s findings were granted for these novel uses of pterostilbene. Several of these patents have been licensed for development and commercialization of consumer products. For example, pTeroPure pterostilbene was recognized as the “North American Most Promising Ingredient of the Year” by the independent market research company, Frost & Sullivan, and Blu̅Science, a new line of dietary supplements featuring pTeroPure pterostilbene and blueberry fruit extract, was introduced in 2011 to create products specifically targeting the health benefits. By 2012, annual sales of the original ingredient pTeroPure pterostilbene grew to well over $3 million, contributing significantly to the growth of the ChromaDex company. The technology transfer and licensing of Rimando’s work have resulted in more than 30 dietary supplement products currently available for purchase through numerous consumer outlets. The ChromaDex consumer products under the Blu̅Science line are now sold at major retail outlets, such as Walgreens, GNC, the McKesson conglomerate of independent pharmacies, and online at drugstore.com. The pTeroPure pterostilbene-branded ingredient is now in a wide array of market channels, including sports nutrition, major retail, direct to physician, multilevel marketing, direct to consumer, skincare, and food. In addition to being honored with the National Federal Laboratory Consortium Award for the above work in 2014, Rimando was the 2016 recipient of ACS’ most prestigious Spencer Award for outstanding achievement in food and agricultural chemistry. Back in her home country, Rimando’s contributions did not escape the attention of her alma mater, the University of the Philippines, College of Pharmacy. She was recognized as one of 10 outstanding alumni during the centennial anniversary of the College of Pharmacy in 2011. Other significant recognitions include the following: • Fellow of the American Chemical Society (ACS) in 2014 • Fellow of the ACS Agricultural and Food Chemistry Division (AGFD) in 2014 • Election to the Philippine American Academy of Science and Engineering in 2013 • Distinguished Service Award from ACS AGFD in 2012 • USDA, ARS Mid-South Area Technology Transfer Award in 2012 • Federal Laboratory Consortium Southeast Region Excellence in Technology Transfer Award in 2011 • ACS Ole Miss Section Researcher of the Year in 2010 • USDA, ARS Mid-South Area Senior Scientist of the Year in 2009 Despite the recognition she received, Rimando remained humble and unassuming, generously sharing her talents and expertise, and helping others further their careers. I had the pleasure of working closely and quickly becoming good friends with Agnes when she followed me in the AGFD chairmanship rotation in 2006. In addition to her scientific prowess and extremely productive career, Agnes was quick to laugh, was
Jane V. Leland, Ph.D.
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Leland Global Enterprises LLC, 501 Pinecrest Lane, Wilmette, Illinois 60091, United States
AUTHOR INFORMATION
Notes
Views expressed in this editorial are those of the author and not necessarily the views of the ACS. The author declares no competing financial interest.
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author gratefully acknowledges the contributions of Stephen Duke, Ph.D., James N. Seiber, Ph.D., Kanjana Mahattanatawee, Ph.D., D. K. Weerasinghe, Ph.D., Charles J. Brine, Ph.D., and the family of Agnes M. Rimando, Ph. D.
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REFERENCES
(1) Albularyo originates from the Spanish “herbolario”, evolving in conversation to lose the “h”, which is absent in the Filipino alphabet and, therefore, difficult to pronounce. (2) Rimando, A. M.; Mahattanatawee, K. The First Joint ACS AGFD and ACS ICSCT Symposium. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2015, 63 (43), 9379−9380.
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DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.8b06550 J. Agric. Food Chem. 2018, 66, 13341−13342
