OILS & FATS
Oils and Fats news Laurence Eyres, FNZIFST A regular round-up of news and opinion from the Oils and Fats Group of the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry.
New MD at Bakels Edible Oils We have received news that Mark Caddigan, the managing director of Bakels Edible Oils (BEO) in Tauranga is stepping down and assuming the role of Chairman. He will be replaced by Anthony Moess, ex. Synlait.
WCOF 2020 Sydney Don’t miss out! The conference is chock full of the latest science on lipids and related compounds. Bushfires are currently affecting some parts of Australia. Like everyone, our hearts go out to the families and communities who are impacted by the bushfires. Gratitude for the frontline services facing the fires headon cannot be expressed deeply enough. Most destinations in Australia remain safe and continue to welcome visitors. All international airports in Australia are operating as normal. Rain has just fallen and in quite heavy quantities so now a lot of the fires are out. Sydney remains safe to travel to and the WCOF 2020 Committee appreciate the uncertainty that media coverage may have generated but can assure all confirmed and potential delegates that WCOF 2020 will be a benchmark Congress. The Scientific Programme Committee have been working hard to showcase the best that the Oils and Fats Industry has to offer. The programme has been finalised with our invited speakers, with the Kaufmann Award winner and abstract presenters. Plan your Congress by viewing the WCOF 2020 Programme. Don’t miss the informative seminars on Infant Nutrition and Frying oils which occur on the days before the conference formally starts. It’s not too late to Register for the Congress and if you would like to see more of Sydney while you are here, don’t forget to book for the optional Harbour Cruise on the Monday night! We encourage all travellers visiting Australia to seek the most up-todate information for their planned itinerary prior to departure, and remain informed about changing conditions while in Australia. For up to date information from Tourism Australia on your upcoming visit please see the Tourism Australia website Plan your Congress by viewing the WCOF 2020 Program here https:// www.wcofsydney2020.com/program-overview.php 30
Food New Zealand
Mark has been the driving force behind BEO since Bakels acquired the original company, Pacific Proteins, back in 1989. His commitment to BEO and the Bakels Group internationally has been exemplary. This writer has known Mark since he was a technical member of the Meat Industry Research (MIRINZ) association back in 1986. He was and still is well versed in the New Zealand process of low temperature rendering of animal tissues. This led to his building a plant for refining tallow and then onto the large market-dominant business that is BEO today. Mark has always been interested in oils and fats and ever since we formed the Oils & Fats group in 1983 he has been a major supporter with projects, conference backing and publication support. If he was not one already, we would make him a life member. We wish him well in his new role.
A startling discovery A discovery made at the Christchurch Clinical School of Medicine 33 years ago may provide the key to treating Alzheimer's disease. Back in 1986, the Christchurch team of medical researchers was fascinated by cholesterol and heart disease. They had little interest in Alzheimer's disease. The Christchurch researchers wondered why some people have high levels of cholesterol and fat in their blood and why this led to an increased risk of premature heart attacks. Then one day a patient with extraordinarily high cholesterol and fat in his blood turned up in a clinic run by Ed Janus and Robin Fraser at Christchurch Hospital. The patient had a mutated form of lipoprotein called ApoE. They suggested that ApoE-Christchurch would not stick to cells as well as the common forms of ApoE. Their study was published in the Journal of Clinical Investigations in 1987. The researchers showed that ApoE sticks to sugary molecules that coat brain cells. Forms of ApoE that are associated with Alzheimer's disease stick strongly, while those least associated with the disease stick less well. ApoE Christchurch barely sticks at all. This finding is reminiscent of the earlier results from Christchurch. They speculate that when ApoE sticks to brain cells it allows the toxic
