Ten delegates from European and US organisations visited the James Hutton Institute in Dundee last week for a course in Fatty Acids and Lipids.  Attendees came from VUmc Amsterdam, Organic Technologies, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute of Northern Ireland, Novogy Inc, Olean SAS, EuroCaps and Ferrero Italia.

The course entitled, Fatty Acids & Lipids Chemistry, Biology & Analysis, has been a regular event since the establishment of Mylnefield Lipid Analysis around 20 years ago.  The specialist, analytical laboratory is one of the few in the world approved by both the UK MHRA and the US FDA for GMP analysis of oils and fats and has also undergone a successful GCP inspection by the MHRA.  Last year, the laboratory claimed first place in the GOED Nutraceuticals Series of the American Oil Chemist Society (AOCS) Laboratory Proficiency Program (LPP), the worlds’ most extensive and respected collaborative proficiency testing programme for oil and fat related commodities.

Co-ordinated by James Hutton Limited, the course is always popular with participants from the food, oleochemical and health and nutrition sectors with presenters Peter Clough, Professor Bill Christie MBE, Dr Charlie Scrimgeour and Professor Terry Smith proving a huge draw for students, researchers and lipid analysts. 

The ten delegates were joined by a further three from the James Hutton Institute, also keen to expand their knowledge of lipids. Throughout the one and a half day course, the presenters shared their own specialties which include chemistry, analysis, lipidomics and nutrition. 

Head of James Hutton Limited, Dr Jonathan Snape, said, “The lipid analysis course has been a mainstay of our event calendar for many years and it always attracts people on word of mouth, mainly down to the renowned calibre of the presenters and the satisfaction of previous attendees.  It’s an excellent course which is very highly regarded in the industry and James Hutton Limited has been extremely fortunate that the presenters have been willing to participate for so many years.  I am delighted that the 2018 course has been a resounding success.”

Attendees at the course included Dr Fanny Chevillot, an R&D Engineer from international oleochemical company, Olean.  Dr Chevillot said, “I attended the course because I am still relatively new to working in Oleochemistry.   The presentations were all really useful for me but I liked the focus on analytical methods which explained the advantages of newer analytical tools and instruments, such as mass spectrometry, but also covered the use of older techniques which although considered ‘old fashioned’, can still be really useful.  Having done the course, I think I will feel far more confident in identifying unknown compounds which is a big part of my day to day work.”

Zachary Latynski came to the course from the Organic Technologies laboratory in Ohio, USA. Mr Latynski said, “The company I work for makes EPA and DHA supplements from fish oil which need accurate and timely analysis so the course was really useful for me in relation to both. It provided a wealth of knowledge on lipids from true experts in the field and I think everyone that attended made some valuable industry contacts. It was a great experience overall.”

An attendee with less distance to travel, Dr Sharon Stewart from Agri-food and Biosciences Institute, Northern Ireland adds, “My colleague and I attended the course to learn more on the analysis of lipids.  It was aimed at just the right level for new lipid chemists looking to learn about the background to lipid chemistry and the best ways to analyse lipids.  The tutors were very knowledgeable about their subjects and able to answer any question put to them.  I would certainly recommend the course to anyone starting out in lipid chemistry as a great foundation to their careers.”