LET US SHARE THE LIGHT
Patricia Ramsey, Feed Microscopy Division Chairperson

Longtime Member News
I have been in contact with: Lewis and Jetty Barefield. Lewis is feeling much better. Lewis and Jetty send best wishes to all of you.

Bob and Billa Darner have been enjoying traveling worldwide. They also went by to visit with Lewis and Jetty in Arkansas. They also said to say hello.

Maryanne Oliphant sends her best wishes to the group and misses us.

By the way, if all of you would like to have some fun finding out about one of our members, Mark Cole go to: www.markcole.us. Teach me to stay up late writing a column for a newsletter. I happened upon this and Mark, you are very talented. Keep up the good work!

2006-2007 Short Courses
Be sure to mark your calendar for 2007. We will offer a short course in Canada before or after the AOCS Annual Conference. Similar to the last short course that was offered in Sacramento, CA, this course will focus on the detection of animal proteins in feeds. The e-workbook that was provided in Sacramento proved to be a success and a revised and improved version will be provided at this course. Other recent technological advances will make this course very visual and very hands-on. Details will follow.

Business Meeting
We will meet on Sunday April 30, 2006.

Old Business:
2007 Short Course in Canada
2007 Meeting in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Moving Archives from Ames, Iowa, to Champaign, Illinois

New Business
Microscopy Manual
Replace Check Sample Chairperson

Luncheon
Tuesday, May 2, 2006, 12:00 to 2:00 pm. We will have awards that day. Also, keeping the mood light, I will do a humorous speech.

The most important thing, we will be installing new officers.

Final Word
As my term as Chairperson winds down, I thank all of you, whom I have come to know better. It has been a time of growth for me. For the next two years, I will be Past Chairperson. Also, I will be the Newsletter Editor.

Be sure to promote Feed Microscopy. Remember what Walt Disney said: If you can dream it you can do it. So follow your dreams. I will follow my dreams!

Feed Microscopy Division Presenters at the 97th Annual AOCS Conference and Expo
Neil Vary, Feed Microscopy Division Newsletter Editor and member-at-large

Throughout the year several members of the Feed Microscopy Division board have been working hard to secure speakers for this year’s AOCS Annual Meeting and Expo that is being held in St. Louis. Thanks to them, there will be some very interesting technical sessions that you are invited, and encouraged, to attend.

The Feed Microscopy Division technical sessions will begin Monday morning with the “Homeland Security: Feed, Food, and Processing Microscopy.” Dr. Michel Myers of the U.S. FDA, Center for Veterinary Medicine will have 2 presentations during this session. In the first, he will describe PCR-based methods that can be used to detect animal proteins in animal feeds. PCR technology promises a quick and reliable method to detect animal-derived materials in feeds. His second presentation will discuss the evaluation of commercially available test kits that are designed to detect rendered animal proteins in feeds. From this presentation one may be able to determine the value of these kits for use in their own laboratory. These presentations will no doubt be interesting for all of us involved in the feed industry, and for those curious about bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE; a.k.a. “mad cow disease”) and feed.

Monday afternoon was originally scheduled to have a technical session on “General Forensic and Entomology Microscopy.” However, despite Pat’s best efforts, our speakers could not attend. Fortunately, Pat was not defeated and wisely chose to use this free time to host a roundtable discussion with the Feed Microscopy Division. These roundtable talks will provide an open forum to discuss the planned revision of the AAFM Manual of Microscopic Analysis of Feedstuffs, 3rd Ed.

Monday won’t be complete until you have had the opportunity to see the poster session. The Feed Microscopy Division will have one poster entitled, “Microscopic Comparison of Mammalian and Avian Bone Structure.” This poster will be available for viewing for the duration of the meeting and expo, but the best time to speak with the author, Evan Balaskas of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, is Monday afternoon between 4:00 and 6:00.

Besides the hot topic symposium, there will not be any technical sessions Tuesday morning. Feed microscopy technical sessions will resume Tuesday afternoon with “Animal-Human Linked Health and Nutrition.” During this session, Dr. Chris Silva of the USDA will discuss prions. His talk will include a historical review of the science behind the prion model and will continue on with current research of this intriguing rogue protein. This talk will be followed by Dr. Betty Miguels’ presentation on BSE pathogenesis where she will discuss the prion protein and the disease.

I look forward to seeing you at the technical sessions and throughout the entire 97th Annual Meeting and Expo.

Division Meetings
Feed Microscopy Division

• Board Meeting--Sunday, April 30, 2–3 pm, Room 222
• Roundtable Discussion--Monday, May 1, 1-2 p.m., Room 121
• Luncheon Meeting--Tuesday, May 2, 12–2 pm, Room 265.

• Board Meeting--Division officers will meet to discuss operations and strategic plans for Division activities. All Division Board Meetings will be held on Sunday, April 30, 2:00 pm-3:00 pm in Room 222 prior to Division Council.
• Roundtable Discussion--This meeting will set priorities for Division activities and funds. Technical sessions for future annual meetings and other education and meeting opportunities will also be discussed.
• Luncheon/Dinner Meeting--This social function provides attendees time to network with peers. A presentation related to the Division topic may be scheduled following the meal.

The latest tentative technical program for the Feed Microscopy Division is available to view or download in .pdf format here. From Homeland Security: Feed, Food, and Processing Microscopy to Animal-Human Linked Health and Nutrition, bookmark this link and check back regularly to see the exciting program that the Feed Microscopy Division has planned in St. Louis. __________________________________________

Short Courses and Hot Topics
Visit the website for more information on this year's Short Courses and Hot Topics. __________________________________________

To view all AOCS and AOCS Division award winners visit: http://www.aocs.org/member/awards/.

In inform . . .

Here’s a sample of what’s coming up in the May 2006 issue of inform: a 16-page supplement focusing on Building Biodiesel. Features include a poll of industry movers & shakers, a report from the 2006 National Biodiesel Conference and Expo, and practical advice on biodiesel plant construction. The supplement, sponsored by Crown Iron Works, is the first in a continuing AOCS series highlighting the latest trends and information in Biorenewable Resources. Number two in the series, sponsored by DeSmet Ballestra, will appear in August and explore the state of the European biodiesel industry.

In JAOCS . . .

Review
• Reaction Chemistry of Gossypol and its Derivations

Analytical and Physical Chemistry
• Multivariate Statistical Analysis of Edible Oils
• Fractal Dimensions of Fat Crystal Networks

Food, Feed Science, and Nutrition
• Chemical Refining of Rice Bran Oil Components
• Analytical Properties of Hemp Seed Oil
• Frying Stability of Regular and High-oleic Sunflower Oils

Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods
• Flaxseed Protein-derived Peptides as Nutraceuticals
• Tocopherol Intrinsic to Sunflower Seed Oil Bodies
• Tocopherol and TAG in Soy Embryonic Axes

Nonfood or Industrial Applications
• Biodiesel Properties of Vegetable Oil Esters
• FA, Tocols and Carotenoids in Sea Buckthorn Pulp Oil Species

Processing and Engineering Technology
• Nanofiltration of Carotenoids from Palm Methyl Esters
• Pheophytin Products Related to Virgin Olive Oil Quality

Letter to Editor
• Physicochemical Properties of Apricot Kernel

World Conference and Exhibition on Oilseed and Vegetable Oil Utilization Processing, By-Products, Biodiesel, Specialty and Functional Oils, and New Applications & Technologies
14–16 August 2006, Istanbul Hilton Convention Center
Istanbul, Turkey

Sponsored by the American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS) and Kitchen Products & Margarine Industrialists Association of Turkey, in cooperation with the American Soybean Association, Istanbul Office. Co-sponsored by the Processing Division of AOCS.

Program topics for this conference include:

Economics & Marketing • Crushing & Foods • Oilseed Products, Utilization • Formulation and Processing of Finished Products • Emerging Technologies • Quality Control • By-Products and Utilization • Alternative Fuels from Fats & Oils • Antioxidants & Nutraceuticals from Edible Sources • Bio-Based Lubricants • Preparation & Extraction Technologies • Edible Oils from Seeds & Plants • Oleochemistry • Biocatalysis & Biotechnology • Specialty & Marine Oils

In addition to this comprehensive technical program, four short courses will be offered prior to the conference: Biodiesel • Edible Oils Refining and Processing • Oilseed Extraction • Quality Assurance: Flavor, Lipid Oxidation, Update on Analytical Techniques and trans Fat Issues

General Chairperson: Dr. Sefa Koseoglu, Filtration and Membrane World LLC, USA

Local Chairpersons: • Mr. Taskin Tugular, MUMSAD, Turkey • Mr. Metin Yardagul, Besler, Turkey

Technical Program Committee: • Dr. Sevim Erhan, USDA/ARS/NCAUR, USA, Committee Chairperson • Dr. Ignace Debruyne, ID&A, Belgium • Dr. Fereidoon Shahidi, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada • Dr. Wim De Greyt, DeSmet - Ballestra, Belgium • Dr. Thomas McKeon, USDA/ARS/WRRC, USA

Visit http://www.aocs.org/meetings/istanbul/ for updates.

Check out the latest new releases from AOCS Press at https://www.aocs.org/catalog/

Be sure to use the coupon at the end of this e-mail when ordering!

The Feed Microscopy Division (formerly the American Association of Feed Microscopists) is committed to the continual advancement of visual imaging as a key element in discerning the quality and content of ingredients and finished products of the feed and food sectors. Division members share a common interest in advancing the science, techniques, and skills of visual imaging. Member interaction builds and strengthens professional skills and competencies.