The B.R.A.I.N. Program

Two major events in the field of secondary plant compounds took place in the beautiful city of Graz in the latter part of this summer. Scientists from all over the world met for the 55th Annual Congress and Meeting of the Society for Medicinal Plant Research (Gesellschaft für Arzneipflanzenforschung = GA) and the 38th International Symposium on Essential Oils (ISEO) from 2nd-6th and 9th – 12th of September.

These very well organized events gave an insight into biosynthesis of natural plant compounds, current developments in bioactivities, extraction and analytics as well as quality control and legislative aspects of medical and fragrance products derived from phytogenic material.

The GA congress was honored by the presence of Her Royal Highness, Princess Chulabhorn Mahidol of Thailand, who gave the first lecture.
Highly sophisticated methods for essential oil analytics enable the identification of incredible 1000 - 10000 odor components from one single perfume mixture.
New methods for extraction constantly improve the quality and conserve the composition of extracts and essential oils in reduced time (e.g. supercritical fluids, controlled pressure drop techniques).
Recently developed encapsulation and particle generation processes will help to find ideal formulations for incorporating extracts in a product (e.g. supercritical CO2).
Plant material that is used in herbal mixtures might be identified more reliably and easily in future by additionally using molecular methods and comparing the data with the numerous sequences available from open-access databases.
New strategies of pharmaceutical companies in screening and drug development were outlined.

The increasing importance of plant derived feed additives was recognized by special sessions, where e.g. results from the EU project SAFEWASTES were presented to the scientific community and industry representatives. In this project organic waste materials from the industries (food, pharmaceutical) were assessed for their potential as ingredients in functional food or feed additives.

It was also a perfect opportunity to meet other expert groups and scientists working in the field of bioactive plant compounds and to exchange plans and ideas for future activities, between the sessions at the buffet, or afterwards in the city or on the Schloßberg enjoying some last warm summer days. At the congress dinners the participants had the chance to know real Styrian lifestyle with pumpkin in many variations, traditional clothing and music performances.

BIOMIN sponsored both events and was represented by Gerd Schatzmayr, Tobias Steiner and Klaus Teichmann. Also the B.R.A.I.N. Program was presented and hopefully encouraged the participation of many scientists with relation to animal nutrition and health.