Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Did you know that AOCS LPP (Laboratory Proficiency Program) has several aflatoxin series?

 


Did you know that AOCS LPP (Laboratory Proficiency Program) has several aflatoxin series?

Aflatoxins are poisonous substances produced by certain kinds of fungi (moulds) that are found naturally all over the world; they can contaminate food crops and pose a serious health threat to humans and livestock. Aflatoxins also pose a significant economic burden, causing an estimated 25% or more of the world’s food crops to be destroyed annually.

The AOCS Laboratory Proficiency Program (LPP) provides an opportunity for the laboratories you work with to demonstrate their proficiency assessing critical measures of aflatoxins, by participating in the world's most extensive and respected collaborative proficiency testing program for oil- and fat-related commodities, oilseeds, oilseed meals, edible fats and plant proteins.

The LPP includes series for aflatoxin in peanut paste, corn meal, and in pistachio and almonds. Participants receive high quality testing samples every quarter. They enter the results they obtain, and information about the method they used, via our secure website and receive a comprehensive report of their performance compared to other laboratories. Analysts who achieve superior performance in all 4 quarters can apply to be an Approved Chemist.

Laboratories with Approved Chemists in aflatoxin testing include Admiral Testing Services, Amspec, ATC, Blue Diamond Growers, Eurofins Central Analytical, Eurofins Nutrion Analysis Center, Fieldale Farms, Hahn Laboratory, New Jersey Feed Lab, Primex Farms, SDK Laboratories, Seragro SA, Whitbeck Laboratories Inc. They are featured in the AOCS Recommended Lab Directory. Is your laboratory in the AOCS Recommended Lab Directory?

Learn more about the Approved Chemist Program.

If you have questions about this program, please contact Dawn Shepard, Laboratory Program Manager, AOCS, dawns@aocs.org.

Monday, June 28, 2021

AOCS remembers Robert (Bob) Hastert

Robert HastertAOCS is saddened to learn that AOCS Past President Robert (Bob) Hastert passed away peacefully on June 6, 2021. He was a long-time member and leader at AOCS for nearly 60 years.

Hastert served on numerous committees and the Governing Board. He first served as a Member-at-Large on the Governing Board for several years before serving as Secretary in 1985, Vice President in 1986 and President in 1987. He was heavily involved in fund raising efforts to build a new AOCS headquarters in 1986. After his Governing Board roles, he continued to dedicate his time and knowledge in other volunteer roles, including serving as a member of the Recognition Program Committee, Advertising Committee and as an INFORM magazine associate editor.

During his tenure as AOCS President, plans were made to reorganize the society into a divisional structure, which improved the technical program at the AOCS Annual Meeting. Moreover, this change allowed more volunteers to become active in the Society. Divisions are still the primary way members can add their voice to development of technical programming.

Hastert was instrumental in organizing a number of well-attended national and world congresses. In 1986, he organized a symposium at the Honolulu AOCS meeting that was so well attended and received that the proceedings were published in book form by AOCS Press.

His technical background in industry and the catalyst manufacturer’s business enabled him to become an expert on hydrogenation. In 1996, the 5th revision of Bailey's Industrial Oil and Fat Products appeared in which Hastert contributed the chapter on hydrogenation. For a number of years, he operated his own consulting business (HASTECH) specializing in placement of scientists in the fats and oils industry.

Because of his long and important service to AOCS, he was elected an AOCS Fellow (2005) and was a recipient of the A.R. Baldwin Distinguished Service Award (2006). In addition, his contributions to the processing industry were recognized with the Processing Division Distinguished Service Award (2011).

AOCS is thankful to have been the professional home of such an important figure for many years.

Tuesday, June 22, 2021

Celebrating AmSpec Services, LLC - AOCS Laboratory Proficiency Program (LPP) award winners

AOCS is proud to recognize the top performers of the Laboratory Proficiency Program (LPP).  Winners are among the top 10% of analysts in their field. We commend them for their dedication to conducting rigorous analyses in the lab. 

LPP award winners from Amspec Lab
The team at AmSpec Services, LLC, Pasadena, TX 

AmSpec Services, LLC has facilities across the United States and around the world with capabilities to perform a wide range of analyses on a multitude of products including biofuel, petroleum, petrochemical and agricultural commodities. The team in Pasadena, Texas, USA participate in AOCS LLP series demonstrating their proficiency at quality assurance for tallow and grease, soybean, marine oil, palm oil, and for a range of oil-seed meals. The team includes 2020/2021 winners in several series. 

"The Lab Proficiency Program is important to our lab because it provides an opportunity to demonstrate reproducibility," says Tyler Hack, laboratory manager. "This is a vital component to everything that involves chemistry. Chemistry begins with the important pillar of being capable of producing similar results by more than just one lab or one person. The AOCS LPP program assists in providing that foundational confirmation and we are quite grateful for it."

Congratulations to the team at AmSpec!


Thursday, June 17, 2021

Did you know that AOCS LPP includes analysis of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS)?


Distillers dried grains is a co-product of ethanol production. The significant residue of cooked and fermented grain that remains after distillation of the alcohol has a high content of protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It is widely used as animal feed and in other applications.

Assessing the quality of dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) is important for bioethanol producers and distillers, poultry and livestock feed manufacturers, for end users in aquaculture and microbial fermentation, and for laboratories involved with sales or regulation at all stages in the value chain.

Laboratories that participate in the AOCS Laboratory Proficiency Program DDGS series demonstrate their ability to assess ash, crude fat, crude fiber, moisture and protein using a number of AOCS, AOAC and NFTA methods in the world’s the world's most extensive and respected collaborative proficiency testing program, providing assurance to internal and external stakeholders.

Analysts who participate in all quarters of the series can apply to be an Approved Chemist. Approval is earned by superior performance during the previous LPP year. Labs with Approved Chemists for the 2020-2021 DDGS series include: Amspec LLC., Cumberland Valley Analytical Services, Eurofins Central Analytical Laboratory Inc. (New Orleans, LA), Eurofins Scientific Inc. (Des Moines, IA), Hahn Laboratories, Inc., Imperial Western Products, Intertek Agri Services,  Isotek Laboratories, Inc., SDK Laboratories, Inc., and Thionville Laboratories LLC.

Labs with Approved Chemists are featured in the AOCS Recommended Lab Directory.

If you have questions about this program, please contact Dawn Shepard, Laboratory Program Manager, AOCS, dawns@aocs.org


Friday, June 11, 2021

Welcome to our newest AOCS members!

AOCS would like to welcome the 35 new active members and 8 students who joined our community in the month of May. These new members showcase the global presence of the AOCS community.

New active members represent 21 companies spread across 10 countries, including Brazil, South Africa, Qatar, and Australia. In addition, new active members from academia represent Delaware State University and San Jose State University, USA; Wageningen University & Research, Netherlands; and University of Saskatchewan, Canada.

New student members represent 7 universities, including Dalhousie University, Canada; Ghent University, Belgium; and Ohio State University, USA.

In addition, new student members include Maria Scharfe (Technical University Berlin, Germany), who was awarded the Edible Applications Technology Division Student Award in 2020. Subscribe to the AOCS email list to be notified when nominations for 2022 AOCS Student Awards open next month.

Thank you to the following AOCS members who brought their colleagues into AOCS via the refer-a-friend program:

  • Roberto Armenta, Mara Renewables Corporation
  • Filip Van Bockstaele, Ghent University
  • Supratim Ghosh, University of Saskatchewan
  • Keshun Liu, US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
  • Todd Underiner, Procter & Gamble

Recruiters earn a US $20 gift card for each member they recruit up to US $100 each year. Learn how to recruit AOCS members and earn recognition for your efforts to help AOCS grow across the world.

View the full list of new members in the AOCS Premium Content Library (only available to AOCS members) and say “Hi!” on the inform|connect Open Forum or email Janet Brown, Director of Membership, for member contact details. Joining the Open Forum is free for non-members.

Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Celebrating SGS Peru Lab - AOCS Laboratory Proficiency Program (LPP) award winners

AOCS is proud to recognize the top performers of the AOCS Laboratory Proficiency Program (LPP). Congratulations to LPP Award winners at the SGS Laboratory in Peru.  LPP Award Winners are among the top 10% of analysts in their field. We commend them for their dedication to conducting rigorous analyses in the lab.

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. They are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 89,000 employees, they operate a network of more than 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world.

The fishmeal and fish oil work team at SGS Peru have participated in the LPP fish meal and the marine oil series over several years, and are 2021 award winners in these series. 


The fishmeal and fish oil work team at SGS Peru, LPP Award winners


"LPP is very important in our services related to fishmeal and fish oil, because it allows us to ensure the validity of our results and evaluate the performance of our laboratory," says Eladio Muñoz, Laboratory Supervisor at SGS, Peru.  

Learn more about the AOCS Laboratory Proficiency Program (LPP).

Monday, June 7, 2021

Did you know that the AOCS LPP (Laboratory Proficiency Program) has a Palm Oil series?


The AOCS LPP (Laboratory Proficiency Program) provides an opportunity for laboratories to demonstrate their proficiency assessing critical measures of palm oil quality by participating in the world's most extensive and respected collaborative proficiency testing program.

Superior performance in the AOCS LPP provides assurance to your stakeholders, customers and regulators – and gains you the international recognition that you deserve.

Series Palm Oil is available for the October 1 (2nd quarter) and January 1 (3rd quarter) start dates. Enrollment for the 2021-2022 LPP year has opened.

Palm oil samples are sent from Kuala Lumpur. Laboratories participating in this LPP series carry out tests including assessment of Cloud Point, Free Fatty Acids, Iodine Value, Lovibond Color, Slip Melting Point (optional), and Solid Fat Content. MPOB (Malaysian Palm Oil Board) methods are strongly encouraged to reduce interlaboratory variations in results. AOCS methods are recommended for Iodine Value (Cd 1d-92) and Solid Fat Content (Cd 16b-93 or Cd 16-81).

Analysts who participate in both quarters of the series can apply to be an Approved Chemist. Approval is earned by superior performance during the previous LPP year. Labs with Approved Chemists for the 2020-2021 Palm Oil series include: Amspec LLC., Eurofins Central Analytical Laboratory Inc., Grupo Agroindustrial Numar S.A., Indelab SDN BHD, Intertek Agri Services Ukraine, Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Thionville Laboratories LLC.

Labs with Approved Chemists are featured in the AOCS Recommended Lab Directory. 

Learn more about the Approved Chemist Program.

If you have questions about this program, please contact Dawn Shepard, Laboratory Proficiency Program Manager at dawns@aocs.org.

Thursday, June 3, 2021

Celebrating Jorge L. Muriel Mundo, AOCS Honored Student

We are delighted to announce that Jorge L. Muriel Mundo is one of the recipients of the 2021 AOCS Honored Students Award. The Honored Student Award encourages and recognizes graduate students doing research in the fields of lipid chemistry and greater interests in the Society. The award is sponsored by the  the AOCS Foundation.


Jorge Muriel is a Ph.D. Candidate, in the Food Science Department at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. He received his bachelor's degree from UAGM University in Puerto Rico. He joined Dr. David Julian McClements research-group on fall 2017 and is currently working on finding ways to retarding lipid oxidation from lipophilic bioactive agents (e.g., β-carotene, soybean oil, curcumin etc.) within the application of food-grade biopolymers for nanotechnology approaches such as emulsion membrane-surfaces laminating coating and/or polyelectrolyte complexes. He has received academic awards including the UMass Alumni Graduate Fellowship, UMass-STEM Dissertation Fellowship, the New England IFT Robert Kluter Award for Service Scholarship, and the NSF-NRT Soft Material for Life Science Fellowship. 

He has authored and co-authored18 research articles in peer-reviewed journals with the citation of 120. He is currently serving as the UMass food science department GSO-President.



Can you tell us about your current research?

My research is focused on laminated coating engineering on emulsion surfaces-membranes to manipulate physiochemical functionalities. The systems I study consist of stabilizing labile hydrophobic bioactive compounds (such as β-carotene, curcumin, etc.). I use nanotechnology-inspired approaches that involve forming multilayer laminated coatings around nanosized oil droplets using natural biopolymers, such as polypeptides and dietary fibers. The results of this research should lead to the development of innovative approaches to stabilize vitamins, nutraceuticals, and healthy oils in emulsion-based foods using commercially viable approaches.


What was your reaction when you learned you had won the award?

At first, I did not believe it. But then, after some moments of retrospection, I  sent an email to Dr. McClements (my advisor) to share the great news. Dr. McClement's amazing guidance has been fundamental for my research success and thereby, for me to obtain this amazing recognition. For this reason, I felt that he was the first one to hear the great news.


Congratulations Jorge Muriel!

The Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) Award for Best Paper in Protein and Co-Products

 The 2021 The Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) Award for Best Paper in Protein and Co-Products has been awarded to Juxing Chen, Karen Wedekind, Jeffery Escobar and Mercedes Vazquez-Añón from Novus International Inc., St. Charles, MO, USA for their 2020 JAOCS paper: Trypsin Inhibitor and Urease Activity of Soybean Meal Products from Different Countries and Impact of Trypsin Inhibitor on Ileal Amino Acid Digestibility in Pig. 

Trypsin inhibitor (TI) and urease activity (UA) are the most relevant quality aspects of soybean meal (SBM) for monogastric animals. This study’s objective was to determine the levels of TI and UA in SBM collected from feed mills in different countries, whether TI and UA are correlated since they are both heat-labile, and impact of TI on pig ileal amino acid digestibility. Read more in JAOCS


Lead author, Dr. Juxing Chen is the senior manager of structure and function biology at Novus. In this role, she develops animal models and biological assays to thoroughly investigate industry challenges and develop potential solutions with new or existing Novus products. She collaborates with a variety of internal and partner research scientists and provides input on experimental design, structural and functional understanding of experimental animal models, and the mode of action of feed additives in poultry, swine and ruminants. Since joining Novus in 2012 Dr. Chen's research has included maternal feeding/epigenetic modification, feed ingredient quality, gut health, structural integrity, and meat quality. She oversees the group to provide cellular, molecular, biological and historical assays for internal research scientists, external collaborators and customers.   

Dr. Chen's research at Novus has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed articles in well-known scientific journals, such as Scientific Reports, Poultry Science, Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology, Frontiers in Veterinary Science, Journal of Animal Science, AOCS etc. She has published a book on Nutrition of hyperprolific sow book, and presented at given numerous presentations at scientific meetings such as the Poultry Science Association annual meeting, International Poultry Scientific Forum, World Poultry Congress, Gut Health Symposium, and Feed Navigator etc.  Previously, Dr. Chen lectured at Shanghai Jiaotong University in China. In 2005, she joined the Cell and Developmental Biology department at Oregon Health and Science University as a postdoctoral fellow and research associate, gained very extensive and solid experience in molecular and cell biology, biochemistry, and immunology, and published 11 peer-reviewed articles.


Can you tell us about your current research?

My research focus on the following aspect:  1)Maternal feeding mainly focuses on delineating the mode of action of maternal supplementation of organic trace minerals on growth and development of progeny in poultry, swine and ruminant  2)Feed ingredient soybean meal quality control including trypsin inhibitor  3)Effect of eubiotics and minerals in gut health and immunity in broilers  4)Effect of trace minerals and antioxidants on meat quality in broilers.


What was your reaction when you learned you had won the award?

I was very surprised!


How has AOCS helped develop your career?

AOCS is a great platform providing the support network for those involved with the science and technology related to oils, fats, proteins, surfactants, and related materials. I learned a lot about SBM quality control from AOCS and my publication enhanced my expertise in  SBM quality control and increased my opportunity to interact with potential external collaborators.


Congratulations to  Dr. Juxing Chen and her co-authors!


Tuesday, June 1, 2021

Industry experts offer insights for building a rewarding career



Industry experts offer insights for building a rewarding career at the next AOCS Midweek Mixer, Tuesday, June 22 starting at 12:00 noon CDT (Chicago, USA; UTC-5).

Early-career, mid-career or late-career, wherever you are in your career, take the time to think about your current opportunities for career advancement and satisfaction.  Gain insights from our panelists  – particularly if you are considering a new job or career change. Attend to learn, get your questions answered and make some new connections during this interactive and informal Midweek Mixer.

This event is open to the whole community. Register and attend for free


Host: Kaustuv Bhattacharya, IFF, Denmark


Kaustuv Bhattacharya is a principal application specialist at International Flavors & Fragnances, a Six Sigma black belt, and past vice-chair of the AOCS Edible Applications Technology Division. 












Panelists:

Surabhi Khandige, R&D Lead for Pectin and Biopolymers, Nourish - IFF, Denmark
Career milestones
2014      PhD in Molecular Microbiology, SDU
2016      Post Doc in Molecular Microbiology, SDU 
2017      Scientist, DuPont N&B
2019     R&D Lead Pectin and Biopolymers, DuPont N&B
2021      R&D Lead Pectin and Biopolymers, IFF    
Scope of current role:
Product & Process Development 
R&D strategy planning and delivery for Pectin and Biopolymers businesses
Line manager for 2 R&D groups, 7 Scientists



Mike Wint
, Senior Principal Engineer, Amway, USA 
I am responsible for the movement of product technologies into and out of the Ada complex. This includes outplacement of current Amway products to contract manufacturers and other Amway sites. I also support the Amway contract sales business, where we produce products for select contract partners to fill under-utilized line capacity (Home Care, Personal Care and Beauty).










Sampson Anankanbil.
I currently work as an R&D scientist in the Technology and Innovation section of the Food and Beverage division at IFF. The T&I section applies cutting-edge research to develop functional food ingredients for the food, pharma and cosmetic industries. As an R&D scientist, I function as a key technical driver in cross-organizational innovation projects. I work mainly with cellulose derivatives and related chemistries for food applications. In my role, I apply chemistry and engineering principles to develop new ingredients with improved functionality. Typically, research projects involve collaborations with other teams, thus, strong interpersonal skills are essential in my job. I am also responsible for the daily planning of tasks and supervision of laboratory technologists within my team. A great deal of my role also involves project management, which includes designing experiments, coordinating tasks, executing lab and pilot scale trials, collecting and analyzing data, writing reports and presenting findings. In summary, my typical day is very diverse and utilizes experiences and skills from my graduate studies, including those oral presentation skills that I perfected at AOCS conferences!



Dilip Nakhasi
In my current role as Senior Director of Research, Development & Innovation for Stratas Foods, LLC., [JV of ADM and Associated British Foods (ABF)] backed by 30 years of field experience, I focus my research on novel and dietary lipid science, as well as the creation of functional and nutritional ingredients, which serve as an expansive, global food source. In addition, within the scope of my leadership role, I manage research teams, strategize initiatives, and mitigate projects to develop innovative products from concept to commercialization.

I am an inventor and published author holding 10 US-granted patents and over 50 internationally-granted patents. My work is also referenced in several journal publications within the areas of fats and lipid nutrition.








This event is open to the whole community. Register and attend for free



Starting on Monday: Lipids in Personal Care and Cosmetics.



The structure of fatty acids, and more importantly of the triglycerides and wax esters that contain them, determines stability, compatibility and product performance. The Lipids in Personal Care and Cosmetics course provides a detailed analysis the roles that plant-based lipids play in personal care and cosmetic formulations, a guide to materials selection for a range of applications areas including anhydrous and emulsion-based products, and a review of potential therapeutic benefits. Completion of the entire course will be recognized with a AOCS Continuing Education Certificate. 


Live Broadcast Schedule:


Monday, June 7, 9:00 a.m. –12:00 Noon CDT (Chicago, USA; UTC-5)
Wednesday, June 9, 9:00 a.m. –12:00 Noon CDT Chicago, USA; UTC-5)
Friday, June 11, 9:00 a.m. –12:00 Noon CDT (Chicago, USA; UTC-5)

Our Instructor:


Graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences, Benjamin Schwartz began his career in Personal Care as a lab technician for The Estee Lauder Companies. After a move to the west coast, he spent 12 years as an R&D Chemist, and then Manager, for contract manufacturer Columbia Cosmetics. Through this experience, he has gained an intimate knowledge of personal care chemistry and formulations. Now having joined AAK, a global vegetable oil manufacturer, he brings this knowledge and insight to the world of plant-based lipids and their applications for personal care and cosmetics.



Learn more, pass on this information to your colleagues, and register today!