PhD candidates Ms Esther Callcott and Mr Stephen Cork report that FGC research was on show on day two of the 67^th Australasian Grain Science Association Conference.

The second day of the conference involved presentations from delegates ranging from the prevalence and role of Amylase trypsin inhibitors in foods, designer rice, pasting and textural properties of aging waxy rice aging, commercialization of plant protein based bioplastics, through to studies on the interaction between human digestion and sensory perception.

FGC member Dr Abi Santhakumar gave a talk on the potential properties of anthocyanins in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in sedentary populations. Anthocyanins are flavonoids that are associated with coloured pigments that have been found in coloured fruits and vegetables including coloured rice. Anthocyanins may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease as they are a natural antioxidant that can supplement our body’s antioxidant systems. Antioxidants are used in our bodies to decrease the damage of free radicals in our cells. For example, damage in our blood vessels leads to formation of plaques with ‘angry’ platelets combining with white blood cells. The formation of plaques is cause of common life threatening condition known as thrombosis. Dr Santhakumar’s team performed a randomized double blind trial with capsules containing anthocyanins with pro-thrombotic volunteers. Dr Santhakumar reported that anthocyanins which can also be found in coloured rice have potential to act as a complementary therapeutic agent with current thrombotic treatments such as aspirin.

FGC member Dr Vito Butardo presented on his work on characterizing cooked rice grain digestibility using single and multiple digestive enzyme cocktails. Dr Butardo proposed the elegant use of a double enzyme assay for high throughput screening of rice varieties for validation by amylolysis and confirmation using clinical glycemic index tests.

After the talks, Professor Lindsay O’Brien presented the best student presentation award judged by a secret panel the day before. The best student presentation was award to the FGC’s Ms Esther Callcott who received a book titled “Cereal grains assessing and managing quality”. At the end of day two, the FGC hosted a dinner for AGSA students to promote networking. This was a well-attended event and a great opportunity to learn about each other’s work.

The FGC is looking forward to hosing the next Australasian Grain Science Association conference in September 2018. More here https://www.ausgrainscience.org.au/conference/2018-conference/