The final scientific agenda for the 19th World Congress on Polyphenols Applications is now available.

On October 8–9, 2026, in Málaga, more than 200 participants will come together to explore how polyphenol research is moving from fundamental mechanisms toward applications in health, nutrition, sustainability and innovation.

Day 1 will focus on human health and mechanisms, including healthy aging, metabolic health, neuroinflammation, polyphenol metabolism, microbiome interactions, taste receptors and satiety.

Day 2 will move toward food systems, agriculture, sustainability and innovation, with discussions on formulation, delivery systems, functional ingredients and emerging translational applications.

The program also includes selected short oral presentations, poster sessions, scientific awards and the new Polyphenols Applications × Iprona €5,000 Open Call for Polyphenol Research Proposals.

Two days. More than 200 participants. One objective: advancing polyphenol science toward meaningful applications.

Discover the Final Agenda

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On October 8 and 9, 2026, the international polyphenol community will meet in Málaga for the 19th World Congress on Polyphenols Applications.

This year, 187 participants, in person and online, will take part in the meeting, representing a broad international community working across nutrition, metabolism, microbiome science, food technology, healthy aging and translational applications.

The scientific program reflects an important evolution in the field. The question is no longer simply which polyphenols are present in foods or extracts. Increasing attention is now being given to their transformation, their metabolites, their biological targets and their relevance in human physiology.

Polyphenols, metabolites and human health

Day 1 will focus on healthy aging and metabolic health.

The program will address mitochondrial competence, diabetic complications, neuroinflammation, vascular responses and the biological activity of polyphenol metabolites. Several presentations will examine whether circulating metabolites can reach target tissues such as the brain and how they may influence inflammatory and metabolic pathways.

A central scientific question will run throughout the meeting:

Should we increasingly consider polyphenols not only as dietary compounds, but as precursors of biologically active metabolites generated through host and microbial metabolism?

Microbiome, metabolism and precision nutrition

The afternoon will focus on polyphenol characterization, metabolism and microbiome interactions.

Presentations will address analytical complexity, isotopically labelled metabolites, microbial transformation of dietary polyphenols, fiber polyphenol interactions and precision nutrition.

Another key topic will be gut taste receptors and satiety. Inge Depoortere, KU Leuven, will discuss gut taste receptors as metabolic sensors, followed by research exploring functional food matrices and fermented pomegranate metabolites in the context of GLP 1 therapy and metabolic health.

The first day will close with Iman Hakim, University of Arizona, who will offer a scientific perspective on ancient Egyptian polyphenol rich remedies and their historical relationship with gastrointestinal health.

Food systems, processing and sustainability

Day 2 will move toward food science, agriculture and sustainability.

The program will examine how oxidation, fermentation, extraction and processing influence polyphenol composition and biological activity. Other presentations will explore applications in animal nutrition, crop productivity, sustainable biorefineries and food by product valorization.

These questions are increasingly important because the biological activity of a polyphenol cannot be separated from its chemical form, food matrix, processing history and bioaccessibility.

From mechanisms to applications

The final session will focus on emerging applications.

Topics will include extracellular vesicles, delivery systems, biomaterials, new functional ingredients, natural product discovery and translational research.

Among the studies presented will be work on resveratrol and lipid driven chemotherapy resistance in colorectal cancer models, illustrating how polyphenol research is increasingly intersecting with cellular metabolism and therapeutic response.

Iprona supports Polyphenols Applications 2026

We are also pleased to welcome Iprona as a supporter of Polyphenols Applications 2026.

Its participation reflects the growing importance of connecting fundamental polyphenol science with ingredient development, standardization and real world applications.

The presence of industry alongside academic and clinical researchers is an important part of the meeting. Translation requires not only identifying biological mechanisms, but also understanding how promising compounds can be characterized, formulated, validated and ultimately developed responsibly.

A broader question for polyphenol science

The scientific challenge is becoming more precise.

Which metabolites are actually generated after polyphenol intake?

Which of them reach biologically relevant tissues?

Which pathways do they regulate?

And which findings are sufficiently robust to move toward nutritional, clinical or industrial applications?

These questions will be at the center of the discussions in Málaga.

The congress is chaired by Prof. Andreas Schieber, University of Bonn, President and Chairman of the Scientific Committee of Polyphenols Applications 2026.

Next week in Málaga, Polyphenols Applications 2026 will bring together 187 participants, in person and online, to connect food chemistry, metabolism, biological function and real world applications.

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From mechanisms to innovation: exploring how polyphenols are reshaping health, nutrition and sustainable applications.

We are getting closer to Málaga.

On October 8-9, 2026, the 19th World Congress on Polyphenols Applications will bring together an international community to discuss where polyphenol science is heading next from mechanisms and metabolism to health, nutrition, sustainability and innovation.

Day 1 - From Human Health to Mechanisms
Healthy aging, metabolic health, mitochondrial competence, neuroinflammation, vascular health, polyphenol metabolism, microbiome interactions, precision nutrition, gut taste receptors and satiety will shape the first day.

Day 2 - From Food Systems to Applications & Innovation
The second day will move from food and nutrition toward agriculture, sustainability, animal health, extracellular vesicles, next-generation polyphenols and emerging applications.

Find here the updated agenda: Agenda 2026

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€5,000 in Research Funding from Iprona

Have a strong idea for a polyphenol project? This call is designed to help you test it.

Polyphenols Applications and Iprona are launching a new research initiative to support scientists working with standardized polyphenol extracts.

Time is running out to submit your abstract for a Short Oral Presentation!

The deadline for Short Oral Presentation Abstract Submissions is September 8, 2026.

Researchers, clinicians, industry experts, start-ups and technology developers are invited to present their latest research, technologies, products and innovative solutions to the international polyphenols community in Málaga.

Submissions are welcome in areas including:

• Polyphenols and human health
• Healthy aging and disease prevention
• Microbiome science
• Animal health and nutrition
• Food processing and analytical technologies
• Sustainable agriculture
• Extraction, formulation and delivery
• Industrial and clinical innovation

Upcoming Submission Deadlines

Short Oral Presentation Abstract:
September 17, 2026 — Deadline approaching!

Poster Presentation Abstract:
September 21, 2026

Selected contributions will be considered for short oral presentations, posters and the Innovation Session.

Don't miss the opportunity to present your work in Málaga and connect with the international polyphenols community.

Submit Your Abstract

We’re pleased to welcome Iprona as a supporter of Polyphenols Applications 2026.

For berry polyphenols, some of the most valuable research questions connect biological mechanisms with everyday nutrition: how these compounds are metabolised, why responses differ between individuals, and which effects are meaningful in humans at realistic levels of intake.

Answering these questions gives the field a stronger basis for developing ingredients, designing clinical studies and identifying applications supported by evidence.

This is where collaboration between researchers and industry matters. Bringing together expertise in polyphenol chemistry, the gut microbiome, human nutrition and ingredient development helps connect scientific findings with the conditions under which ingredients are produced and used.

Iprona contributes to this effort through its work with standardised berry extracts, including ElderCraft®, and its ongoing initiative providing research material at no cost to qualified academic and clinical projects. The purpose is to support research that can be compared, built upon and used to deepen our understanding of polyphenols.

By supporting Polyphenols Applications, Iprona also helps bring this community together to exchange findings, discuss unanswered questions and develop new collaborations.

Join us in Málaga, Spain, on 8–9 October 2026.

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Why Do We Respond Differently to Polyphenols? Toward Precision Nutrition. We are pleased to welcome Prof. Pedro Mena Parreño from the University of Parma, Italy, as a speaker at Polyphenols Applications 2026.

He will present: From Polyphenol Metabolism to Precision Nutrition: Advancing Translation to Human Health

One of the key questions in polyphenol science is no longer only what do polyphenols do? but why do individuals respond differently?

Prof. Mena will discuss how inter individual variability in polyphenol metabolism and biological response may shape effects on obesity and cardiometabolic health. His lecture will highlight findings from the Oral Polyphenol Challenge Test, a large acute intervention study in 300 subjects, which identified distinct metabotypes linked to dietary habits, microbial composition, genetic background, and cardiometabolic traits.

He will also discuss how multi omics and advanced analytical platforms are helping to translate polyphenol science into precision nutrition, including preliminary results from the PRE CARE DIET randomized controlled trial.

This talk brings a strategic perspective to Polyphenols Applications 2026: moving from polyphenol intake toward personalized, sustainable, and clinically relevant nutrition strategies.

Join us in Málaga for Polyphenols Applications 2026, where science, nutrition, and innovation will meet to rethink the future of prevention.

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We are pleased to welcome Prof. Dr. Katrin Giller from the University of Hohenheim, Germany as a speaker at Polyphenols Applications 2026.

She will present: Specific Biofunctionality of Polyphenols: Insights from Ruminant and Human Nutrition

Polyphenols are increasingly recognized as modulators of nutrient utilization, metabolic efficiency, oxidative stress, and immune function. But are their effects universal, or highly species-specific?

Using tannins as model compounds, Prof. Giller will explore how polyphenols influence protein utilization, methane reduction, fatty acid transfer, and environmental sustainability in ruminants, while drawing important parallels with human nutrition and cardiometabolic health.

Her lecture will address a strategic question for the future of the field:

Which findings on polyphenols can truly be translated from animal models to human health and where should caution prevail?

This talk brings a valuable scientific and translational perspective to Polyphenols Applications 2026.

Join us in Málaga for Polyphenols Applications 2026, where science, nutrition, and innovation will meet to rethink the future of prevention.

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We are pleased to welcome Professor Kieran Tuohy from the University of Leeds, UK, as a featured speaker at Polyphenols Applications 2026.

Professor Tuohy will present: Polyphenols, Fibers and Microbial Metabolites: Decoding the Gut Dialogue

Professor Tuohy is internationally recognized for his work on gut microbiology, nutrition, and the interaction between dietary polyphenols, fibers, and the gut microbiome.

Professor Tuohy's lecture will address a central question for the field: How does microbial metabolism transform polyphenols and fibers into bioactive signals that influence inflammation, gut barrier function, cardiometabolic health, and systemic physiology?

This topic is highly aligned with the Session Microbiome Dialogue, where the congress will explore the polyphenol–fiber–microbiome axis and its implications for precision nutrition and future health strategies.

Join us in Málaga for Polyphenols Applications 2026, where science, nutrition, and innovation will meet to rethink the future of prevention.

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For years, we have focused on how many polyphenols we consume. Perhaps the more important question is: How much actually reaches our body after food processing, storage, and digestion?

At Texas A&M University, USA, Prof. Bhimu Patil and colleagues present a compelling new perspective on precision nutrition.

Their work shows that preserving polyphenols is not simply about choosing the right foods; it is also about choosing the right processing technologies.

Among their findings:

• Frozen blueberries can contain anthocyanin levels comparable to, or even higher than, fresh berries.
• Minimally processed tomato juices contained up to six times more polyphenols than ultra-processed products.
• A new UHPLC-DAD analytical method enables the rapid quantification of 31 major polyphenols in just 15 minutes, opening new possibilities for food quality assessment and research.
• Their research also highlights the biological potential of citrus flavonoids and the need to combine advanced analytical methods with clinical evidence to move toward precision nutrition.

This work reminds us that the health benefits of polyphenols depend not only on the plant itself, but also on how foods are processed, preserved, and delivered.

We are delighted to welcome Prof. Bhimu S. Patil from Texas A&M University, USA, as a plenary speaker at the 19th World Congress on Polyphenols Applications, where he will present this exciting vision of the future of polyphenol science and precision nutrition.

Join us in Málaga for Polyphenols Applications 2026, where science, nutrition, and innovation will meet to rethink the future of prevention.

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We are pleased to announce that Dr. Ángel Luis Ortega, from the University of Valencia, Spain, will join Polyphenols Applications 2026 as a speaker.

His lecture, “Can Polyphenols Delay Diabetic Complications? Pterostilbene as a Translational Model in Retinal Health,” will explore how polyphenols may contribute to the prevention of chronic metabolic complications, with a particular focus on diabetic retinopathy.

Dr. Ortega’s work highlights pterostilbene, a natural polyphenol related to resveratrol, and its potential role in protecting retinal tissues against oxidative stress, inflammation, and vascular damage associated with diabetes.

This presentation will bring an important translational perspective to the congress, connecting polyphenols, metabolic disease, microvascular dysfunction, and retinal health.

Join us in Málaga for Polyphenols Applications 2026, where science, nutrition, and innovation will meet to rethink the future of prevention.

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We are delighted to welcome Stephanie Wilson as an invited speaker at Polyphenols Applications 2026, taking place on October 8–9, 2026, in Málaga, Spain.

Dr. Wilson's research explores a fascinating question: can a polyphenol-rich diet shape not only the composition of the gut microbiome, but also its ability to metabolize polyphenols?

Drawing on data from 313 healthy adults, her team combined dietary assessments with metagenomic sequencing to show that people who consume a more diverse range of dietary polyphenols have a greater abundance and diversity of microbial genes involved in polyphenol metabolism. The findings suggest that regular exposure to polyphenol-rich foods may enhance the functional capacity of the gut microbiome.

Her presentation, "How the Gut Microbiome Learns to Use Polyphenols: New Insights from Human Studies," will offer fresh perspectives on the dynamic relationship between diet, the microbiome, and human health.
We look forward to welcoming Dr. Wilson to Málaga and to the stimulating discussions her work will inspire.

Join us in Málaga for Polyphenols Applications 2026, where science, nutrition, and innovation will meet to rethink the future of prevention.

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We are pleased to welcome Prof. Sergio Davinelli from the Università degli Studi del Molise, Italy, as a speaker at Polyphenols Applications 2026.

Prof. Sergio Davinelli will present: Dietary Polyphenols as Geroprotective Compounds: From Nutrition to Healthy Aging

His lecture will explore how polyphenol rich compounds may contribute to prevention strategies, metabolic resilience, and protection against age related decline. This perspective is particularly important as polyphenols are increasingly studied not only as antioxidants, but as modulators of inflammation, cellular senescence, microbiota, and longevity pathways.

At a time when healthy aging is becoming a global priority, this talk will address a strategic question:

How can nutrition based interventions help extend healthspan, not only lifespan?

Join us in Málaga for Polyphenols Applications 2026, where science, nutrition, and innovation will meet to rethink the future of prevention.

For more information - LinkedIn

Can polyphenols help reduce methane emissions from ruminants without compromising animal health and food quality? This question will be addressed at Polyphenols Applications 2026 by Dr. Maria Hayes, from the Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ireland.

She will present:
Reducing Methane Emissions with Polyphenols: New Strategies for Sustainable Animal Production

Her lecture will focus on the potential of seaweed extracts rich in polyphenols and other bioactives to reduce methane emissions from cows and sheep, based on work carried out within the SeaSolutions project.

The challenge is strategic: how can we reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ruminant production while maintaining animal performance, health, and the quality of milk and meat?

This talk brings an important agricultural and sustainability dimension to Polyphenols Applications 2026, showing how polyphenol research can move beyond human nutrition and contribute to future food systems.

Join us in Málaga and elevate your conference experience at ILUNION Málaga.

Rethinking Prevention: How Polyphenols Are Reshaping Health and Innovation.

Over these two days we've seen something very clear. Polyphenols are no longer just a scientific curiosity. They are becoming a strategic tool for health innovation and sustainability.

The Polyphenols Applications 2025 Abstracts Book - containing all 105+ major, short talks and poster presentations - is now available.

Dear Speakers, Chairpersons, and Attendees,
 
We look forward to meeting you all on October 2-3 at Polyphenols World Congress 2025. We remind you of the important information below regarding your participation.
 
1. Congress Venue 
Corinthia Palace
De Paule Avenue, BZN 9023 San Anton, Malta
 
Venue Details
 
2.⁠ ⁠Online Participation
Online Attendees will receive a Zoom Link 2 days before the meeting starts.
 
3.⁠ ⁠Badge Pick Up
You can pick up your badges upon your first entry, on Thursday, October 2, starting at 8 a.m.
Please make sure to wear it throughout the congress.
 
4.⁠ ⁠Final Program
You can find here the Polyphenols World Congress 2025.

5.⁠ ⁠Short Oral Presenters Guidelines
1.      Kindly note down the updated timing of your presentation. Please make sure to abide by the duration of your talk (8-minute presentation + 2 minutes for discussion).
2.      Make sure to bring your presentation with you on a flash drive on-site.
3.      Please note that all presentations will be collected by the technician, and no presentation via their own laptop will be accepted.
4.      Note: PowerPoint presentation’s ratio: 4:3.
 
6.⁠ ⁠Posters List & Guidelines
Please find the accepted poster list below. Check your poster number and the day of your presentation. If you are joining in person, make sure to print your poster and bring it with you (A1 vertical format). Posters will be presented during the coffee breaks & lunch break. You will have to hang the poster according to its number. Please note down the number of your poster. You can also send us your PDF poster. 

ACCEPTED POSTER LIST

 7. Dinner
 
The Polyphenols Applications 2025 dinner will be held on Thursday, October 2, at the Corinthia Palace Hotel in Malta. You can join this dinner from 8:00 PM. It is a perfect opportunity to have an interactive discussion.
You can participate in the dinner by registering here.
 
8. ⁠Contact For Urgent Matters
 
If you have any questions, you can contact us via email [email protected]
 
If your abstract or talk is missing, or if your name and title need correction, please contact us.
 
We look forward to meeting you all.

Polyphenols: From Powerful Antioxidants to Game Changers in Modern Nutrition

We are thrilled to announce that Malta will host more than 200 international experts from 27 countries for Polyphenols Applications 2025, the leading global meeting on polyphenol science, health, and innovation.

Why it matters
Polyphenols are no longer just antioxidants, they are shaping modern nutrition, healthy ageing, microbiota balance, brain and cardiovascular health, and driving the next generation of functional foods, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and therapeutics.

Program highlights
✔️ Polyphenols & Microbiota
✔️ Polyphenols & Ageing / Mitochondrial resilience
✔️ Clinical & Translational Research
✔️ Food, Cosmetic & Pharma Innovations

This event is supported by Iprona.

A unique platform bringing together academia, clinicians, nutrition experts, start-ups, and industry leaders to accelerate translation from science to market.

View the full program: Download Program PDF

Join us in Malta — Registration & abstract submissions are now open! Register here

Prof. Bhimu Patil, a Regents Professor and Inaugural Leonard Pike University Professor at Texas A&M University, USA, will give a Keynote speech entitled 'The Preventive Power of Plant Polyphenols: Scientific Advances from Fruits and Vegetables' at the 18th World Congress on Polyphenols Applications 2025, which will be held in Malta on 2-3 October.

Prof. Mario Ferruzzi, Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, USA, will give a Keynote speech entitled 'The Beautiful Complexity of Dietary Polyphenols: Our tools for Addressing Challenges across Food, Nutrition and Health Domains' at the 18th World Congress on Polyphenols Applications 2025, which will be held in Malta on 2-3 October.

The 18th World Congress on Polyphenols Applications 2025 will introduce a new session: “Reactions of Polyphenols: Recent Advances in Chemical and Enzymatic Conversions”, moderated by Prof. Andreas Schieber, Vice-President of Polyphenols Applications, University of Bonn, Germany.

Prof. José M. Estrela from the University of Valencia has received the Best Scientific Contribution Award at Polyphenols Applications 2024 for his research on “Polyphenols in Oncotherapy: Moving Forward from the Bench to Clinical Applications.” His work addresses the challenge of polyphenols' poor bioavailability in vivo and their potential in cancer treatment.

While polyphenols demonstrate significant anti-cancer effects in preclinical studies—such as inducing cell cycle arrest and inhibiting angiogenesis—issues like limited absorption hinder their clinical application. Prof. Estrela highlights innovative delivery systems, including nanoparticles and liposomes, to enhance bioavailability and efficacy.

About Prof. Estrella

As a professor of physiology and director of the Cell Pathophysiology Unit at the University of Valencia, as well as research director at Scientia BioTech, Prof. Estrela is pioneering new anti-cancer strategies that integrate polyphenols for improved therapeutic outcomes. Congratulations to Prof. Estrela on this well-deserved recognition!

Pascale Mosoni of INRAE has won the Best Short Oral Presentation Award at Polyphenols Applications 2024 for her research on “The Molecular Basis of the Degradation of Flavan-3-ols by the Human Gut Bacterium Eggerthella Lenta.” 

Dr. Mosoni's presentation delved into how Eggerthella lenta metabolizes flavan-3-ols—polyphenols known for their cardiovascular benefits—into bioactive compounds in the gut. By identifying ten key genes responsible for this metabolic process through a transcriptomic approach, Dr. Mosoni's work has revealed that 27% of individuals lack the ability to convert these polyphenols, raising important questions about cardiovascular risk factors.

About Dr. Mosoni

Dr. Mosoni is a microbiologist in MEDIS (Microbiology, Digestive Environment & Health) laboratory at INRAE. Her research activities are currently focusing on the metabolism/degradation of dietary fibers and polyphenols by the human gut microbiota in order to better understand the effects of these plant dietary components on health through the action of the microbiota. The approaches used involve the isolation of anaerobic microorganisms contributing to these metabolic pathways and characterize their function (genes, enzymes, metabolites) and role in health.  Her aim is to discover new generation pre- pro- syn-biotics, or effective bioactive molecules (postbiotics) to be used in preventive nutritional strategies.

Congratulations to Jean-Paul Joseleau from Groupe Berkem for winning the Best Poster Presentation Award (2) at Polyphenols Applications 2024! His innovative research on “BERGENOL®, A Novel Vegetal Virucidal Agent for Hand Sanitizer Formulations” introduced a breakthrough in plant-based, alcohol-free sanitizers.

Derived from Vitis vinifera, Bergenol® demonstrated outstanding virucidal activity against a range of viruses, including those from the coronavirus and adenovirus families.

This recognition highlights the growing importance of natural, sustainable solutions in human hygiene, offering a safer alternative to chemical-based disinfectants. Well done to Dr. Joseleau for this achievement!

About Group Berkem

Groupe Berkem is a European Chemical manufacturer actively involved in the ecological transition. One of Groupe Berkem’s expertise is to use vegetal extracts in a wide range of sectors. It provides innovative and sustainable solutions to develop active ingredients for cosmetics and nutraceuticals, wood protection, disinfectants and human hygiene…

Dr. Laure Poquet of Nestlé Research has been awarded the Best Poster Presentation (1) at Polyphenols Applications 2024 for her outstanding research on oleuropein metabolites.

Her poster, “Oleuropein Metabolites Are Biologically Active as Mitochondrial Calcium Activators at the Concentration Measured in Human Plasma,” highlighted the bioactivity of these metabolites derived from olive leaf extracts.

The study demonstrated that, at concentrations measurable in human plasma, these metabolites can activate mitochondrial calcium, leading to enhanced energy metabolism in muscle cells.

A new study was performed by Nestlé scientists to understand how the polyphenols from olive leaf extract can boost muscle energy. The main natural polyphenolic compound of this extract is oleuropein. Its metabolites circulating in plasma after intake were detected and quantified using a validated LC-MS/MS method. Their potential biological activities as mitochondrial activators were tested in vitro, at the circulating concentrations. The results showed that, although the level of oleuropein was low, its metabolites are biologically active in skeletal muscle cells and reach a total concentration in human blood sufficient to activate mitochondrial energy metabolism via mitochondrial Ca2+ activation.

This achievement marks a significant step in understanding the role of oleuropein in improving muscle function and supporting healthy aging. Congratulations to Dr. Poquet on this well-deserved recognition!

All major and short oral presentations are now available on-demand. If you were not able to attend the live sessions, you can order and watch them later for 3 weeks. Order now.

The Polyphenols Applications 2024 Abstracts Book - containing all 123+ major, short talks and poster presentations - is now available.

The book is assigned with a DOI (Digital Object Identifier). This ensures a permanent and easily accessible online presence for the entire collection of work.

More than 123 communications will be presented during Polyphenols Applications 2024, including more than 70 posters. Access full posters list. 

Last updated on 12/09/2024

Polyphenols Applications 2024 Congress
September 19-20, 2024 - Milan
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