Day 2 :
Keynote Forum
Huada Daniel Ruan
Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University, China
Keynote: Health Risk from Heavy Metal and Pesticide Residue via Consumption of Food Crop in Huitong, Zhuhai, China
Time : 10:00 - 10:35
Biography:
Huada Daniel Ruan, Dual PhD, Professor and Founding Head of the Department of Environmental Science, Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College (UIC). Prof. Ruan earned his first PhD in Mineralogy from The University of Western Australia, and second PhD in Chemistry from Queensland University of Technology. He has a background in chemistry, earth sciences, environmental science, and biological science with more than 25 years of experience in teaching and research in Australia, the U.S., Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, and published more than 110 articles. Prof. Ruan is the pioneer researcher established non-point water pollution index in Australia, found and confirmed that 0.02 ppm of phosphorus is the critical value of water eutrophication. His research achievement also include mineral chemistry at Queensland University of Technology, Australia that contributed to a significant increase (2-5%) in the extraction of alumina from bauxite; the bio-chemical remediation of contaminated soils at Purdue University U.S.A. had contributed to the stabilization of heavy metals Cr and Pb biologically and chemically; participation in air pollution monitoring, indoor air quality, food safety and labeling, electronic waste treatment and certification in Hong Kong. He has been invited to be the Adjunct Professor, Griffith University, Australia, Visiting Professor, South China Agricultural University, Visiting Research Professor, Research Institute of Ecology and Soil Science, Guangdong Academy of Science, Honorary Consultant, Hong Kong Institute of Environmentalist, Vice Chairman of the Environmental Subcommittee, Hong Kong Association of Testing, Inspection and Certification， Jury Member of Court, Queensland, Australia， Zhuhai City Committee Member of Emergency Management. He is a Certified Auditor of ISO9001 and ISO14001, editor/reviewer of a number of international journals and an active member of a number of international professional associations.
Abstract:
Vegetables can absorb not only nutrients but also pollutants such as heavy metals from the soil. This is commonly accompanied with high input of fertilizers and agrochemicals during the period of growth. In the first part of this experiment, 16 vegetable samples were collected from four representative areas in Huitong, Zhuhai City to detect pesticide residues using enzyme inhibition assay. The results showed that about 50% of vegetable samples were contaminated by pesticides, with 75% of them being leafy vegetables. The vegetables investigated have shown potential to bioaccumulate pesticides in their tissues. As a result, neurological health impacts are concerned for a long-term exposure to pesticides. In the second part of the experiment, the above 16 vegetable and four soil samples were collected and analysed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The results revealed that no soil samples exceeded the maximum residue levels (MRLs) of copper, zinc, cadmium, manganese, nickel, chromium and lead compared to those of the China National Standard (GB 1516-1995). However, based on the Nemerow pollution index, about 88% of vegetable samples were contaminated with various amounts of heavy metals. According to the China National Standard (GB 18406.1.2001), cadmium in Zay mays (0.13 mg/kg, Spot B; 0.073 mg/kg, Spot C) and Lactuca sativa L (0.066 mg/kg, Spot B) exceeded about 2.6, 1.5 and 1.3 times of MRLs (0.05 mg/kg), respectively. Moreover, lead in Zea mays (1.72 mg/kg, spot B; 1.57 mg/kg, spot C) from two sampling spots, exceeded about 8 times of MRLs (0.20 mg/kg). It is notice that vegetable has shown a great potential for bioaccumulation of heavy metals from the soil. Thus, such bioaccumulation can be explained by the plant and soil factors that affect the uptake of heavy metals by vegetables.
Keynote Forum
Manuela Silverstein Zoninsein
AgVali, USA
Keynote: Challenges & opportunities of AgTech distribution in developing countries
Time : 12:30 - 11: 30
Biography:
Manuela Silverstein Zoninsein has completed her Master of Science from the University of Oxford in Modern Chinese Studies, focusing on China’s Pesticide Polizie, and BA from Harvard University in Social Studies, and Latin American Studies. She is the CMO and Co-founder of AgVali, a cross-border marketplace platform connecting world-class suppliers of agriculture inputs and equipment with qualified distributors in new markets. She has published 100 articles in publications globally in English, Mandarin, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Abstract:
There are one million agricultural distributors servicing more than 1.2 billion farmers globally, but emerging market distributors struggle to keep up with the rapidly modernizing needs of farmers who are working to become more efficient and sustainable, and to identify and access suitable new solutions and supplier relationships. On the other hand, agriculture innovation & investment in developed countries is booming. US$4.2B is expected in early-stage investments for 2015 in the U.S. alone (ahead of fintech or medtech, per AgFunder). Yet these suppliers are struggling to identify or build distributions channels to access buyers in new markets. The AgVali platform enables retailers to satisfy their farmer-clients’ needs, to learn about new products, and to connect with new suppliers globally. Our platform simultaneously enables suppliers to consider new markets & viable sales channels, to thereby increase their revenues, valuations, & access to a broader spectrum of customers. We aim to drive the future of farming by connecting the long-tail in agriculture, thereby helping farmers and distributors in emerging markets to purchase the products they need to stay effective and productive; by opening new sales channels needed for innovative and SME suppliers to grow and pick up speed and; by helping emerging market farmers and distributors to create their first digital “footprints” so as to demonstrate their needs globally which in turn can re-orient the agriculture market according to bottom-up, alternative visions of innovation.
Keynote Forum
Gamal Fouad Mohamed
National Research Centre, Egypt
Keynote: Innovations in food processing and preservation techniques
Time : 10:50 - 11:50
Biography:
Gamal Fouad Mohamed has completed his PhD in Food Science in 1997. He is a member in several projects and Lecturer in Training Courses for evaluation of food quality assurance. He won three prizes for the best scientific research and published 36 research papers in international journals in the field of Food Science and Technology.
Abstract:
Food preservation is through common preservation techniques such as salting, drying, canning, smoking and other. Where, the main problem with the thermal processing method is loss of colour, flavor, vitamins and other nutrients in food products. The food industry is currently interested to use some of novel production and processing technologies that may result in economical and improved quality products. Innovation in food technology goes in parallel with consumer demand for healthy food and safer while improving the quality and shelf life. Novel technologies like microwave heating, the new techniques such as high-pressure processing (HPP), innovations to packaging materials (Active packaging techniques extend the possibility of keeping food quality at its best during storage), and use of preservatives (chemical additives) in food has expanded a great deal in recent years, such as natural anti -microbial preservatives and antioxidants). Also, some of the future methods of food preservation are irradiation, although, these methods are currently in use, they are expected to expand and develop further. The development of novel nano-technological tools and other bioactive ingredients will also contribute to the development of value added food products.