Click here for Abstract 1, here for Abstract 2, and here for Abstract 3.
HONOLULU - The latest research from New Zealand scientists will be presented at the 2000 International Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies, December 14-19, 2000.
The weeklong scientific meeting, held once every five years, is hosted by the American Chemical Society, in conjunction with its counterparts in Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand.
New Zealand chemists will present new findings on topics including (papers are embargoed for release until date and time of presentation):
Meat storage - If you'd like a more mouth-watering leg-of-lamb, pay attention to this study: Responding to reports that long-term chilled storage ruins the flavor and odor of raw sheep meat, researchers investigated different meat-packaging systems and discovered that freezing is the best way to store the meat. Chilling, they found, apparently increases spoiling and decreases sweetness, especially over time. (AGRO 115, 9:05 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 16)
Native Asian kozo tree - Researchers at the University of Auckland have isolated a chemical from a native Asian tree that appears to be promising for the treatment of AIDS, cancer and diabetes. Commonly known as kozo (Broussonetia kazinoki), the tree's parts are used in some countries for folk medicine and paper products. (ORGN 1843, 9 a.m., Monday, Dec. 18)
Marine sponges - Researchers at the University of Canterbury have discovered a host of potentially useful compounds in marine sponges, including some that may help fight AIDS and cancer. The future development of these products may depend on the efforts of researchers to strike a balance between emerging technology and the ongoing problem of limited natural resources. (ORGN 1730, 7:05 p.m., Monday, Dec. 18)
More than 8,000 research papers will be presented during this year's International Chemical Congress, which is sponsored jointly by the ACS, the Chemical Society of Japan, the Canadian Society of Chemistry, the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and the New Zealand Institute of Chemistry.