It's a busy time for Division officers as we put together the final program for the AOCS Annual Meeting in six weeks. The AOCS Governing Board has also been busy, meeting in Chicago in late February to address an agenda that included a review of the '05 budget results and '06 budget year to date performance, real estate, and a legal audit of AOCS foundational documents.

In 2005 a new business model was crafted, adopted, and implemented. The resulting changes streamlined procedures, and coupled with a freeze on all staff salaries, resulted in a "bottom line" of ~$550,000 in '05. It should be noted however that the savings was all on the expense side. Income was as projected in the budget. The task at this time is to expand the user base for all the information products generated by AOCS members for the fats and oils community. This is the major task for staff and committees in '06.

The AOCS built a new facility to accommodate growth in staff back in 2000. In addition, there was adjacent land acquired that was to be sold as soon as practical. The real estate news is that the land has been sold, as has the building. The reason for the sale of the building is that while staff had been projected to grow to 75 in 5 years (now) it has instead decreased primarily because of electronic communication and information systems. The Board will purchase a building of approximately 1/2 the size of the current one and save ~$100,000 per year in operating costs as a result.

And finally, the AOCS is incorporated in New Orleans and has been since it's inception I believe. When you think about the origins of the Society, which were in the Southern United States, this makes sense. However, a Chicago-based legal firm specializing in association law has reviewed our foundational documents and made recommendations to "update" those documents to reflect a post-Sarbannes Oxley environment. The Board was briefed by the lead attorney on the project at their meeting, and the Executive Committee met with her on specifics related to AOCS the day after the Board meeting.

So, the stage is set for continuing discussions and a great time in St. Louis. I hope you'll all be there to benefit from the wonderful program you've generated, as well as through interaction with colleagues and longtime friends.

Mike Haas
AOCS President

Division Meetings
H&N Division

• Board Meeting--Sunday, April 30, 2–3 pm, Room 222
• Roundtable Discussion--Monday, May 1, 12:30-2 p.m., Room 261
• Dinner Meeting--Tuesday, May 2, 6:30 pm cash bar reception, 7:30 pm Dinner, Missouri Athletic Club. The evening's speaker is Nada Abumrad, Washington University, St. Louis, delivering "DNA, Diet, and Disease."

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

ISSFAL 2006-International Society for the Study of Fatty Acid and Lipids: 6th International Congress on Essential Fatty Acids and Eicosanoids & PUFA in Maternal and Infant Health, July 23-28, Cairns Convention and Exhibition Centre, North Queensland, Australia.

Information: P.O. Box 949, Kent Town SA 5071, Australia; Phone: +618 8363 1307; Fax: +618 8363 1604; web: http://www.fcconventions.com.au/ISSFAL2006/

Check out the latest 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!

AOCS Method Ce1h-05, is the outcome of nearly two years of collaborative efforts between AOCS Technical Services and experts from around the world.

The AOCS Uniform Methods Committee recently approved a method for measuring trans fatty acids in non-ruminant animal and vegetable fats and oils. AOCS Method Ce1h-05 is the methodology to use for non-ruminant fats and vegetable oils trans fatty acid analysis that meets U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) nutritional labeling regulations taking effect January 1, 2006.

This method is only $100 and is available for purchase online or by calling +1-217-359-2344.

Order now and save US $170 with the special trans Fatty Acid Method package.

You will receive the following for only U.S. $400 (plus S&H):

• AOCS Method Ce1h-05 for trans fatty acid analysis in electronic (pdf) format ($100 value)
• AOCS trans fatty acid Reference Samples ($220 value)
• The complete set of Collaborative Study Samples for trans fatty acids ($250 value)

To order now, visit http://www.aocs.org/tech/ce1h-05.asp or call AOCS at +1-217-359-2344. __________________________________________

Additions and Revisions
Produced annually, Additions and Revisions to the Official Methods and Recommended Practices of the AOCS, 5th Edition, 2nd Printing, contains numerous changes to help define the procedures for reliable method application. The Additions and Revisions are coded and hole-punched for easy incorporation into the AOCS Methods binder. 1999-2006 Additions and Revisions are available individually or as a set.

New Methods include:

• Aa 11-05 Analysis of Aflatoxin using HPLC Post-Column Photochemical Derivatization
• Am 5-04 Rapid Determination of Oil/Fat Utilizing High Temperature Solvent Extraction
• Ba 6a-05 Crude Fiber Analysis in Feeds by Filter Bag Technique
• Ba 10a-05 Protein Dispersibility Index
• Ce 11-05 Determination of Cocoa Butter Equivalents in Cocoa Butter and Plain Chocolate
• Cg 7-05 Techniques for Assessing the Effects of Antioxidants in Oils and Fats

Mission: The Health and Nutrition Division promotes and facilitates communication and cooperation among industry, academia, and government professionals whose interests in lipid biochemistry and physiology relate to all aspects of dietary fats and health.

Scope: The Division encompasses the technical areas of dietary fats and general health. Areas include the relationship of dietary fats to promotion of wellness and prevention of disease; omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids and eicosanoids, fat-soluble vitamins and other fat- soluble constituents; fat substitutes; and advancement of nutrition policy. The Division advances the field by organizing symposia and technical sessions at the AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo, by the development of international conferences, and by contributing articles and books to AOCS publications.