Lectures on new manuka honey research findings

The scientist who discovered the compound in manuka honey responsible for its anti-bacterial properties is to give two lectures in New Zealand on his group’s latest research.

Professor Thomas Henle, a world-leading food chemist at the Institute of Food Chemistry, Technical University of Dresden, will give two lectures only, the first at the University of Waikato on Monday, February 20 and the second at the University of Auckland on February 22. His lecture is entitled, “Glycation compounds in food: What’s unique about New Zealand manuka honey?”

Following the lectures, question and answer sessions will be chaired by Professor Peter Molan, Director of the Honey Research Centre at the University of Waikato, and by Professor Laurie Melton of the School of Chemical Sciences, the University of Auckland.

Professor Henle’s group identified the chemical compound, methylglyoxal in 2006, establishing that the honey’s anti-bacterial activity is directly related to methylglyoxal levels.

Professor Henle’s visit is sponsored by Manuka Health New Zealand. Download full information here