Seminar on oil and soap industry held

A seminar on "Prospects of University Research for Development of Oil and Soap Industry" was organised by the National Center of Excellence in Analytical Chemistry (NCEAC) under "University-Industry Interaction programme at the Sindh University, Jamshoro Campus, on Friday Professor Dr Muhammad Iqbal Bhanger, director of NCEAC, welcoming delegates, explained in detail the objective of the seminar. He said one of the objectives of the seminar is to implement new developments in research at industrial scale so that our industries may match international quality standards and could face challenges of the WTO regime.
He said this seminar will surely make a breakthrough to develop collaboration between university and industries.
While talking on "trans-fatty acids in food", he said we should try to reduce trans-content in our diets, as these are precursors to heart diseases and cancer.
Shahid Iqbal in his lecture on "Role of Antioxidants in Vegetable Oils" emphasised the need for exploitation of our indigenous natural source of antioxidants for oil industry.
We are still using synthetic antioxidants, although their health risks have been proven and these have been banned in developed countries, he said.
Dr Shirazi from NCEAC, speaking on the occasion, said industry should take benefit of university research. Universities should focus on projects, which are directly beneficial to industry.
Iftikhar Ahmed, director, TAPAS, highlighted current and future scenario of oil industry in Pakistan. He said we should grow oilseeds in our country and should try to lessen imports.
R. Shahnawaz Janjua, American Soybean Association consultant, delivered a talk on "World Oilseeds and Soy Stats". He highlighted the importance of soybean. He said it is the richest source of quality protein for livestock and human consumption.
The last presentation was focused on prospects and potential of castor oil in Pakistan by Yusuf Noor Muhammad of Naz Intermediates.
He said castor oil is rich in bioactive compounds and very important from medicinal point of view. He stressed on the exploitation of castor oil from Pakistan as our indigenous source.
Representatives from almost 30 oil and soap industries as well as research & development (R&D) organisations participated in the seminar from all over the country.