Professor Eccleston Kean is considered one of the world’s foremost authorities on hypoglycin A, the principal toxin in ackees. Historically there had been much debate over the cause of Jamaican Vomiting Sickness but while this had been attributed to hypoglycin in unripe fruit, this was conclusively proven by Kean and his co-workers. It was only in the early 1950s that Dr. Delphine Williams identified ackee poisoning as the cause of Jamaican Vomiting Sickness. The discussion led to Kean’s interest in the subject and his pursuit of a Ph.D. in biochemistry to better understand how hypoglycin A in unopened ackees affects the body’s metabolism, even causing death. His early research showed that a diet deficient in protein of good nutritional value and low in certain vitamins and minerals made the affected patient more susceptible to hypoglycin A poisoning. Professor Kean’s research into hypoglycin A continued for over 20 years and he was the first researcher in Jamaica to use radio-active tracer compounds in his experiments. His studies showed specifically how hypoglycin A inhibited energy production in the mitochondria of the cells resulting in hypoglycaemia or very low blood sugar levels. His later research was conducted both locally and internationally as he collaborated with other researchers and hospitals to study the chemical and its mode of action. His Ph.D. was awarded in 1957 from The University of London, which awarded degrees on behalf of the then, University College of the West Indies. At this time, Dr. Kean was a Senior Lecturer in biochemistry and he continued in this position until he was elevated to the rank of Professor in 1984 and Professor Emeritus in 1994. For his distinguished service in the field of biochemistry, Professor Eccleston Kean was awarded the Silver Musgrave Medal by the Institute of Jamaica in 2006. October, 2025