A new research initiative to evaluate the benefits and potential risks of amines in our everyday diet is being undertaken by a research team from the University of Aberdeen.
Dr Heather Wallace, Senior Lecturer in Medicine and Therapeutics and Biomedical Sciences, has been elected Chair of the COST (Co-Operation in Science and Technology) Action, at the first Management Committee held in Brussels recently.
The COST Action will investigate the differences in amine intake across Europe and will report on both the risks and benefits to the population. Half a million Euros have been awarded to the research, which will be invested over a five-year period.
Amines are consumed as part of a daily diet and occur naturally in fruits, vegetables and meat, while others are produced during the processing or cooking of food. Many of these compounds are known to be either beneficial or hazardous in promoting the growth of healthy cells in the body, while the risks to humans from other amines have not yet been assessed.
Dr Heather Wallace, said: "We hope that at the end of this COST Action we will be able to help the food industry and the European Commission by making recommendations on the amine content of foods. The aim is to understand what amines are harmful and decrease the content of those in our diet and also to show which are beneficial and consequently increase the presence of these in our diets."
The first workshop of the COST Action, welcoming delegates from across Europe, will be held in Aberdeen in May 2002. In attendance will be 40 delegates from 17 countries with representatives from each country on the Management Committee. The initial workshop will seek to foster an understanding between all member states of the issues and problems involved and will address amines in food and food spoilage and amines and cancer.
For further information regarding the COST Action research, please contact Dr Heather Wallace, Senior Lecturer, Department of Medicine & Therapeutics and Biomedical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, on (01224) 552481, or email: h.m.wallace@abdn.ac.uk
Issued by Public Relations Office, External Relations, University of Aberdeen, King's College, Aberdeen. Tel: 01224 272014 Fax: 01224 272086.
University Press Office on telephone +44 (0)1224-272960 or email a.begg@abdn.ac.uk.