PENANG, 27 August 2014 – Many ideas and research findings has been shared at the three-day INNOVAFOOD-2014 conference themed Transforming Molecules into Innovative Products which began on 27 August 2014. 

The conference, organised by Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Industrial Technology, was attended by about 100 local researchers, academicians and private sectors and also a number of foreign participants with presentations from eight speakers, 28 oral and 41 poster presentations.

“By the term ‘innovative ideas’ we mean that they are original, novel, ingenious and creative,” USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Dato’ Dr. Muhamad Jantan said during the launching of the conference at a hotel here today.

He added that the conference is hoped to foster a long-term networking among the participants in the development of innovative food products.

“Our USM staff members have developed some of these products such as noodles slim mee, cookies made from spent tea leaves and bread prepared from jackfruit seed,” said Muhamad Jantan.

He added that besides showcasing the latest findings on food innovation, the conference will also provide a unique opportunity for industrial researchers to meet with academics for knowledge transfer and to establish research collaborations.

During the presentation by the plenary speaker, Glen Crofskey, from Kerry Ingredients said that breaking down within the milk and stomach is protein-selective.

“Gastric digestion of milk protein contributes to the release of biologically active milk peptides with immunomodulatory and antibacterial properties,” he said.

Glen then added that most peptides in both the intact milk and gastric samples were derived from beta-casein which is a key peptide in human milk and infant gastric digestion.

On atopic dermatitis (AD), he said that the incidence of AD is increasing worldwide with a steep trend in rates observed in developed countries.

“Therefore, the prevention of AD is of public health significance as it is associated with infant discomfort, Glen said, pointing out that in 2003, the US National Institutes of Health estimated the cost of RM3.16 billion was spent on health care associated with AD.

Also present at the conference was USM School of Industrial Technology Dean and conference chairman Professor Dr. Azhar Mat Easa; Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Professor Dr. Abdul Salam Babji; USM principal officers; and speakers. - Text and photos: Yong Check Yoon and Siti Faizah Abd Halim