Meeting Information

    Meeting/Event Information

    Greener Chemical Approaches to Reduce Mycotoxin Contamination of Food and Beverages

    May 19, 2023
    5:30 PM - 9:00 PM
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    The McCrone Group
    850 Pasquinelli Drive
    Westmont, IL 60559
    https://www.mccrone.com/
     Directions

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    May Hybrid Monthly Meeting

    Dr. Michael Appell

    Research Chemist, U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Agricultural Research Service

    Greener Chemical Approaches to Reduce Mycotoxin Contamination of Food and Beverages

    ABSTRACT

    The role of the Agricultural Research Service, the USDA’s chief scientific in-house research agency spread across 90 locations, is finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect people every day, from field to table. Hundreds of chemically diverse mycotoxins produced by fungi reduce food quality and impact food security. Examples include aflatoxins in contaminated peanuts, citrinin in corn, and ochratoxin A in wine and grape juice. Several approaches are being used for detecting and combatting mycotoxins in food and drinks. One strategy for eliminating mycotoxins makes use of synthetic chemistry to produce better antifungal compounds; this tactic is aided by the use of quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) modeling. For mycotoxin detection, selective receptors such as biochar, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), and polymers equipped with biomimetic functions like cyclodextrins are being used to analyze minute amounts of mycotoxins in complex food and beverage matrices. These newer detection methods complement existing ones, which is important because using different techniques enables broader detection of contaminants.

     

    In-Person Dinner

    $30 for ACS members
    $35 for Non-members
    $20 for students and postdocs
    Lecture-only is free [on-site or online (via Zoom)]

     

    Dinner Venue:

    Zazzo's Pizza
    200 W. Ogden Avenue
    Westmont, IL 60559
    Website: https://westmont.zazzospizza.com/

     

    PROGRAM

    • 5:30 - 5:50  Check-in/Social Hour at Zazzo's Pizza*
    • 5:50 - 6:40  Dinner*
    • 6:40 - 6:55  Recognition of 50-, 60- and 70-year Members*
    • 6:55 - 7:00  Travel to McCrone for Evening Program
    • 7:00 - 7:30  Microscopy Museum Tour, The McCrone Group**
    • 7:35 - 7:40  Announcements
                         Margaret Schott, Chair**
    • 7:40 - 7:50  Dr. Craig Schwandt
                          Director of Analytical Services, the McCrone Group**
    • 7:50 - 8:30  Presentation**
                         Dr. Michael Appell
    • 8:30 - 8:45  Q&A, closing remarks**

     

    *Zazzo's Pizza Restaurant, 200 West Ogden Ave (US-34), Westmont, IL 60559

    **The McCrone Group, 850 Pasquinelli Drive, Westmont, IL 60559. Parking Available on-site

    Dinner Menu
    - House salad & bread
    - Broasted chicken
    - Homemade Italian meatballs
    - Cheese ravioli with marinara
    - Italian roasted potatoes
    - Mixed veggies
    - Ice cream sundae
    - Non-alcoholic beverages

    REGISTRATION

    By phone (847-391-9091), email ([email protected]) or online: Click Here to Register

    BIOGRAPHY

    Michael Appell is a Research Chemist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, having joined the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in 2002. He received a B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Ph.D. in Medicinal Chemistry from the College of Pharmacy at the University of Illinois. He then did postdoctoral research in molecular pharmacology at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. Dr. Appell’s current research is in food safety. Food safety is important for supporting public health and reducing foodborne illness. Occasionally, agricultural commodities can be contaminated with fungi capable of producing toxins known as mycotoxins. Michael Appel’s research aims to find new ways to detect and reduce exposure to mycotoxins in food and beverages. In particular, the research addresses the limitations of existing methods for detecting toxins in popular commodities, such as corn, coffee, and fruit juices. The new approaches make use of analytical chemistry, predictive modeling, and materials science. Dr. Appell is an active member of the ACS Illinois Heartland Section, an American Chemical Society Fellow, and a Fellow of the ACS Division of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

     

    Tickets

    $0.00 Donation to Project SEED (flexible amount)

    $30.00 In-person Dinner cost

    $35.00 In-person Dinner Cost: Guest and Non-Chicago ACS member

    $20.00 In-person Dinner cost for Students and Postdoc

    $0.00 Lecture Only is free (on-site or online (via Zoom))

    $0.00 Lecture Only, no dinner, for non-members

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