2^nd International Congress on
Advances in Food Chemistry and Technology

Biography:

Dr. Thiruchelvam Thanaraj, former Associate Professor, current Research and Education Consultant and R&D Pharmaceutical Professional at Apotex, Inc. Toronto, Canada. He earned his Doctorate degree in Postharvest Technology and Food Analysis at Cranfield Health, Cranfield University, UK whereas Dr. Thanaraj studied the chemometric profiles of biochemical compounds of fruits and vegetables with special emphasise to Sri Lankan mango fruits. He did Master of Philosophy and Bachelor's degrees in Postharvest Technology/Agriculture at PGIA, University of Peradeniya and Eastern University, Sri Lanka, respectively. He received many scholarships and grants, attended a number of international conferences and workshops and presented both oral and poster in Sri Lanka, India, UK, Germany, Turkey, USA and Canada. And also, he published over 30 publications including internationals journals and book chapters.

Abstract:

Cannabis may be legally available in Canada for medical as well as recreational purposes in the future. Though the Senate has just passed the legislation with dozens of amendments, it seems still a lot of home works to be done to bring the bill and related procedures to a right and reliable path acceptable by most of the Canadian residents. Back and forth discussions, voting and amendments on the bill is going on between the Senate and House of Common. Therefore, no updated facts of the legislation and its proposed amendments officially available to public yet. However, it is expected the legalization and its subsequent public use of recreational cannabis will definitely face a lot of challenges in terms of implementation and monitoring. In the meantime, legalization of medical cannabis may not get much public attention as it will be beneficial to the globe as a whole, and also it will provide a passage to researchers and scientist to explore more on the plant and its benefits in detail.

So far cannabis is known among Canadian as one of the illegal drugs, which was said to relief pain and anxiety for those in need. Canada, especially Ontario is a very diverse multicultural place, very traditional to well westernised people are living here. Therefore, definitely there is a mix feeling and opinion among people on this effort of the Canadian government. But, it seems the motive of the government is to eliminate the illegal (black) cannabis market, regularise its usage and turning down billions of dollar profits towards both provincial and federal government which goes to illegal dealers.

However, those who well understood the pros and cons of this plant, its impact on the community, medical and health benefits and future focus on pharmaceutical industry need to think generously whilst keeping in mind of all possible present and future issues once it is legalized in Canada. Having said that there is a necessity to implement novel food processing, extraction and preservation technologies to diminish the psychoactive properties of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), especially in recreational marijuana. In the meantime, initiate positive steps to explore hundreds of valuable biochemical components of this plant including THC and Cannabidiol (CBD), which is expected to have some exceptional health benefits. Furthermore, advanced and continuous research is needed to explore and dissect cannabis plant, its components, benefits and impacts in detail. Positive thinking and approach are key in this issue, if cannabis is legalised and arrived in front of public, it is better to find out the possible ways and means to utilize this valuable plant to its optimum in meaningful ways with minimum impact to the public safety; rather than criticising, protesting or misusing it hence these activities may cause negative impact.

Biography:

Dr. Thiruchelvam Thanaraj, former Associate Professor, current Research and Education Consultant and R&D Pharmaceutical Professional at Apotex, Inc. Toronto, Canada. He earned his Doctorate degree in Postharvest Technology and Food Analysis at Cranfield Health, Cranfield University, UK whereas Dr. Thanaraj studied the chemometric profiles of biochemical compounds of fruits and vegetables with special emphasise to Sri Lankan mango fruits. He did Master of Philosophy and Bachelor's degrees in Postharvest Technology/Agriculture at PGIA, University of Peradeniya and Eastern University, Sri Lanka, respectively. He received many scholarships and grants, attended a number of international conferences and workshops and presented both oral and poster in Sri Lanka, India, UK, Germany, Turkey, USA and Canada. And also, he published over 30 publications including internationals journals and book chapters.

Abstract:

Cannabis may be legally available in Canada for medical as well as recreational purposes in the future. Though the Senate has just passed the legislation with dozens of amendments, it seems still a lot of home works to be done to bring the bill and related procedures to a right and reliable path acceptable by most of the Canadian residents. Back and forth discussions, voting and amendments on the bill is going on between the Senate and House of Common. Therefore, no updated facts of the legislation and its proposed amendments officially available to public yet. However, it is expected the legalization and its subsequent public use of recreational cannabis will definitely face a lot of challenges in terms of implementation and monitoring. In the meantime, legalization of medical cannabis may not get much public attention as it will be beneficial to the globe as a whole, and also it will provide a passage to researchers and scientist to explore more on the plant and its benefits in detail.

So far cannabis is known among Canadian as one of the illegal drugs, which was said to relief pain and anxiety for those in need. Canada, especially Ontario is a very diverse multicultural place, very traditional to well westernised people are living here. Therefore, definitely there is a mix feeling and opinion among people on this effort of the Canadian government. But, it seems the motive of the government is to eliminate the illegal (black) cannabis market, regularise its usage and turning down billions of dollar profits towards both provincial and federal government which goes to illegal dealers.

However, those who well understood the pros and cons of this plant, its impact on the community, medical and health benefits and future focus on pharmaceutical industry need to think generously whilst keeping in mind of all possible present and future issues once it is legalized in Canada. Having said that there is a necessity to implement novel food processing, extraction and preservation technologies to diminish the psychoactive properties of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), especially in recreational marijuana. In the meantime, initiate positive steps to explore hundreds of valuable biochemical components of this plant including THC and Cannabidiol (CBD), which is expected to have some exceptional health benefits. Furthermore, advanced and continuous research is needed to explore and dissect cannabis plant, its components, benefits and impacts in detail. Positive thinking and approach are key in this issue, if cannabis is legalised and arrived in front of public, it is better to find out the possible ways and means to utilize this valuable plant to its optimum in meaningful ways with minimum impact to the public safety; rather than criticising, protesting or misusing it hence these activities may cause negative impact.

Biography:

Prof. Mohamed Fawzy Ramadan Hassanien is a Professor of Biochemistry at Zagazig University (Egypt). Currently he is a Professor at Umm Al-Qura University (KSA). Prof. Hassanien obtained his PhD (2004) in Food Chemistry from Berlin University of Technology (Germany). Prof. Hassanien continued his research in ranked universities in different countries such Finland and USA. In 2012, he appointed as a visiting Professor in School of Biomedicine, Far Eastern Federal University (Vladivostok, Russia). Prof. Hassanien published more than 180 articles and reviews in international journals with high IF as well as several books (Scopus h-index is 30).

Abstract:

Cold-pressed oils (CPO) found in the market were studied for their lipid classes, fatty acid profile, tocols and phenolics contents. Radical scavenging potential against DPPH· and galvinoxyl radicals were determined. Antimicrobial properties of CPO against foodborne bacteria, food spoilage fungi and dermatophyte fungi were also evaluated. The level of neutral lipids in CPO was the highest, followed by glycolipids and phospholipids. The main fatty acids in the most of CPO were linoleic, oleic, stearic and palmitic acids. Tocols and phenolic compounds were determined at high levels. CPO exhibited strong antiradical action and antioxidant traits as evaluated using Rancimat assay. Some CPO inhibited the growth of all tested microorganisms including food spoilage fungi (A. flavus and C. albi) and dermatophyte fungi (T. mentagrophytes and T. rubrum). CPO exhibited also broad-spectra activity against food-borne pathogen bacteria (S. aureus, E. coli, S. enteritidis and L. Monocytogenes) with MIC ranging between 160 to 320 μg/mL. The results suggest that Saudi CPO could be used economically as a valuable natural product with novel functional properties in food, cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. 

Biography:

Professor Adegoke obtained his PhD degree (Veterinary Microbiology) in 1984 from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria and is a full Professor in the Department of Food Technology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Prof Adegoke is a recipient of scholarships and fellowships from the governments of Nigeria, Belgium, France, Germany, Japan, Finland and Canada. Prof Adegoke has taught in universities in Zambia, Kenya, South Africa and Lesotho and Nigeria. Professor Adegoke was invited as a Consultant by the World Health Organization (WHO)  in 1996, 1999, 2002 and 2007 on issues relating to Healthy Food  Market, acrylamide and food safety( FERG). Professor Adegoke is currently a member of FAO's JECFA on food additives, contaminants and natural toxicants . Professor Adegoke is an online reviewer for several professional journals and he is on the Editorial Boards of The African Journal of Food, Agriculture and Development (AJFAND) and some other international journals with reasonable impact factors. He is the Editor-in-Chief, Current Bacteriology (USA). Professor Adegoke's competencies are in the areas of food safety, food additives and microbial toxicants particularly fungal toxins .

Abstract:

Aframomum danielli , ginger, garlic and turmeric  belong to the family Zingiberaceae.  In addition to flavouring ,   some spices have been found to possess anti-oxidative, anti-mutagenic and preservative properties.  Spices which are of commercial importance have  invariably attracted considerable attention.    Not much is known about the spice A. danielli   therefore combining  food chemistry and food microbiology  data  can  be useful  to highlight the commercial potentials of the spice.

Standard methods were used for the extraction and characterization of essential oil from A. danielli, mitigation of mycotoxins, control of sprouting in yam and enzymes associated with liver dysfunction(animal assay) .  The antioxidant effectiveness, control of food spoilage pathogens and preservative potentials of A.danielli were also evaluated using standard procedures.

Eucalyptol (58%),  β-Pinene oxide (22%) and other terpenes were present as volatile organic compounds in  A.danielli.  Essential oil (500 to 3000 ppm)  of A.danielli  had 50 -100% reduction efficiency (RE) of ochratoxin A in spiked cocoa powder and 76% (RE) in fuminosin B in an non-alcoholic beverage

(kunu zaki).  With control yam (Dioscorea rotundata) having a sprouting index of 25% (10 min) , samples of yam treated with A.danielli at 5%, 10% and 15% had sprouting indices of 4.4%, 2.25% and 2.22% (10 min) respectively.  Feeding   albino rats (100-200 mg/kg) with  ground powder of  A. danielli , serum enzyme levels of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were lowered by 67%, 86.3%, and 49.7% respectively when compared with control rats. Using refined peanut oil, antioxidant effectiveness of A.danielli  (87.3%) was higher than tert-butyl hydroquinone (83.4%) and  butylated hydroxytoluene (79.6%) respectively  at 65 ± 1⁰ C. Broad spectrum antimicrobial activities against food borne pathogens like Listeria monocytogenes, Aspergillus flavus and   A.ochraceus.  Maize and soybeans treated with ground A.danielli powder with storage under ambient conditions (26 ± 1 ⁰ C ; RH 75 ±5 %) for 15 months showed no mouldiness and insect infestation.

With data obtained on the spice A.danielli, the unique properties of the spice can be exploited for industrial applications .