The occasion is the largest international conference held in Korea in the field of food science. The conference is held under the theme ‘K-Foods in the Post-COVID-19 Era: Health and Convenience’ at the Daejeon Convention Center until July 9.

Experts from academia and relevant industry gathered at the symposium to present recent research findings on food science and share wisdom and knowledge. Professor Shim Soon-mi at Sejong University identified the benefits and mechanism of starch digestion and glucose absorption suppression of a composite that combines green tea-derived catechin concentrate, water-soluble polysaccharides, and flavonol (CATEPLUSTM). She discussed the blood sugar reducing benefits of the composite when taken with carbohydrate containing food (Strategies to maximize bioactivity of green tea on glucose metabolism). Professor Lee Yun-hee at Seoul National University introduced research on epigallocatechin-3-gallate’s visceral adiposity reduction mechanism and obesity improving benefits using obesity-induced mice with high-fat diet (Epigallocatechin-3-gallate reduces visceral adiposity partly through the regulation of Beclin-1-dependent autophagy in white adipose tissues).

Yonsei University Professor Park Jun-soo’s presentation on a cell-level research on ‘EGCG, a green tea polyphenol, inhibits human coronavirus replication’ gained the attention of many researchers. Dr. Kim Ju-won at Amorepacific R&D Center’s Basic Research & Innovation Lab explained the research findings of anti-fine dust benefits of green tea catechins, polysaccharides, and flavonol, its protective mechanism against fine dust, and the safety and efficacy of green tea extract on health improvement evidenced by human trials on subjects with occupations vulnerable to fine dust (Combination of green tea catechins, polysaccharides, and flavonol prevent bronchial damage against fine dust). Professor Kwang-Soon Shin at Kyonggi University discussed the immuno-stimulating mechanism of polysaccharides isolated from ginseng berry and explained that their structure was identified as highly branched Rhamnogalacturonan II.

Amorepacific received a corporate achievement award at the KoSFoST award ceremony for contribution to the development of KoSFoST and the food industry through industry-academia collaboration. The award was based on Amorepacific’s dedication toward conserving biodiversity, developing new variety green teas for skincare, and efforts in obtaining recognition. Furthermore, the company’s commitment in studying the world’s best ginseng berry and developing the world’s first green tea-derived probiotics contributed to receiving the award. Amorepacific has achieved unrivaled technology innovation to identify new values of green tea and ginseng, the company’s heritage ingredients, at Green Tea Probiotics Research Center and Sulwhasoo Heritage Science Center that opened in 2019.

Youngho Park, Executive Vice President of Amorepacific R&D Center, said, “Amorepacific R&D Center has continued various academic exchanges for decades based on our research on green tea and ginseng berry” and declared his commitment by saying, “we will continue to identify the amazing benefits of green tea and ginseng berry, and support the health of customers worldwide through strengthening immunity in the post-COVID-19 era.”