Welcome to Bonn Polyphenols 2019

On behalf of the International Society of Antioxidants in Nutrition and Health (ISANH) and the Scientific Committee, we are pleased to announce the organization of the 13th World Congress on Polyphenols Applications: Malta Polyphenols 2019 which will be held at the Excelsior Hotel, Malta, from Monday, September 30 to Tuesday October 1, 2019.

After the huge success of the previous editions of this series of conferences, Malta Polyphenols 2019 will bring together the experts from the academia and industry to discuss the latest scientific advances in research on polyphenols. In continuation of our cross-disciplinary approach, both basis research topics and practical applications of polyphenols in the food, pharmaceutical and medical sciences and related disciplines will be covered.

Among the Polyphenols 2019 Hot Topics:

Polyphenols-Microbiome Interactions, Metabolisms and Health effects

There is a consensus in the scientific community that phenolic compounds are extensively metabolized by the human microbiome, and evidence is accumulating that phenolics which are present in food have an effect on the composition of gut microorganisms.
This session, which addresses the latest findings in the field from a cross-disciplinary view, including microbiology and food chemistry, will highlight the following strategic points: Microbiota, polyphenols & food: recent advances & perspectives / Can polyphenols modify the quality and diversity of microbiota?

Skin and Polyphenols: Recent advances and practical applications

We will highlight the strategic roles of polyphenols and phenolic compounds as antioxidants (anti-UV) and anti-inflammatory agents. We will also discuss the formulation of polyphenols  and skin pigmentation. We will dedicate time to all innovations related to the polyphenols' use in skin care and skin aging.

Bioavailability, metabolism and health effects of polyphenols and their metabolites

Phenolic compounds have been associated with numerous beneficial effects on human health. The session will provide an overview of the latest investigations into the interrelationship between bioavailability, metabolism, and bioactivity, including among others, anti-obesity and cardiometabolic effects. We will also address recent research on the role of polyphenols in the prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.

Technological and biotechnological aspects of polyphenols and their metabolites

As there is still a gap in our knowledge about the effects of food processing on the stability of phenolic compounds, this session will cover studies about the impact of conventional and novel processes on phenolics. We also welcome presentations reporting the application of phenolics as natural antioxidants, preservatives, and colorants to replace synthetic food additives. In addition, recent advances in the biotechnological production of phenolic compounds and the role of volatile phenolics as food constituents will be covered.

Chemistry of polyphenols including synthesis and analysis of metabolites and reactions of phenolic compounds

Due to the ongoing advances in analytical chemistry, our knowledge about the profile of phenolic compounds in plants and plant-derived food is continuously increasing. We will address studies on novel approaches in sample preparation, chromatographic separation and detection of phenolics, including hyphenated techniques such as LC-ion mobility mass spectrometry and LC-NMR spectroscopy. Presentations on the characterization of novel structures, reaction mechanisms, and the synthesis of phenolic metabolites are also highly welcome.

Innovations in industrial applications of polyphenols

The session will highlight approaches in product development, exploitation of novel sources of phenolic compounds, characterization and application of novel nutraceuticals based on plant phenolics, and new processes for extraction and formulation of polyphenols on industrial scale.

Abstracts for consideration of potential inclusion as oral or poster presentation are welcome for all these topics.

What is New for Polyphenols 2019: Round Table Discussion

Traditional ways of delivering scientific information to the audience during congresses are oral and poster presentations. However, despite the wealth of  typically presented data, lots of questions of the participants remain unanswered and for many scientists as well, even for  those who have been considered as keynote speakers, there is only limited opportunity to interact with colleagues. To facilitate the scientific discourse and make the conference more interactive, the scientific committee decided to include two round table discussions that address hot topics, challenges and pressing questions related to various areas of research about polyphenols.

Round Table Discussion Part 1: Polyphenols and health applications

• Where are we now and what are the prospects?
• What is assured knowledge and what are the gaps?
• How do microbiota and metabolites, the new players in the world of polyphenols, affect our classical thinking and make us rethink and redesign our strategies concerning applications of polyphenols?

Round Table Discussion Part 2: Polyphenols and food applications

• What is the impact of established and novel processing methods on polyphenols?
• How can we control and exploit reactions of polyphenols in food applications?
• How can we utilize side streams of food processing more efficiently for the recovery of polyphenols?
• Are there applications at the horizon beyond food – what about feed, cosmetics, and others?

All participants are invited to participate in these discussions by presenting their questions and thoughts before the meeting by September 23, 2019.

We look forward to welcoming you in Malta!          

Prof. Andreas Schieber
University of Bonn, Germany
President of Malta Polyphenols 2019