The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, Committee of Geomedicine
Symposium 13-14th November 2008
Bioactive compounds in plants –
benefits and risks for man and animals
DAY 1: Thursday 13 November
09:00 – 10:00 Registration, coffee/tea
10:00 Harald Siem, The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters:
Welcome
10:10 Aksel Bernhoft, National Veterinary Institute, Oslo:
Introduction, bioactive compounds in plants
10:30 – 13:00 Session 1: Poisonous and medicinal plants
Chair: Harald Siem
10:30 Berit Smestad Paulsen, University of Oslo:
Highlights through the history of plant medicine
11:00 Kristian Ingebrigtsen, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science:
Main plant poisonings in livestock in the Nordic countries
11:30 Break
12:00 Barbro Spillum, Norwegian Directorate of Health:
Human plant poisonings in the Nordic countries
12:30 Bernt Rognlien, Balderklinikken, Oslo:
Use of plants in health treatment today
13:00 – 14:15 Lunch
14:15 – 18:00 Session 2: Bioactive compounds in feed and food
Chair: Helle Margrete Meltzer
14:15 Rune Blomhoff, University of Oslo:
Compounds responsible for reduced cancer risk related to consumption of
vegetables, fruits and berries
14:45 Mette Svendsen, Ullevål University Hospital, Oslo:
Compounds responsible for reduced risk for cardiovascular diseases related
to consumption of vegetables, fruits and berries
15:15 Espen Bjertness, University of Oslo:
Can plants slow the progression of cognitive impairment in old people or
delay the onset of dementia?
15:45 Break
16:15 Herman Adlercreutz, University of Helsinki:
Phytoestrogens and human health
17:00 Andrzej Madej, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences:
Risk of adverse effects of phytoestrogens in animal feed
17:30 – 18:00 Discussion, practical information, end of day
DAY 2: Friday 14 November
09:00 – 09:15 Coffee
09:15 – 10:45 Session 3: Bioactive compounds in feed and food continuation
Chair: Jan Alexander
09:15 Hilmer Sørensen, University of Copenhagen:
Glucosinolates in Brassica – health risks, but also benefits?
09:45 Leon Brimer, University of Copenhagen:
Cyanogenic glucosides
10:15 Christer Andersson, National Food Administration, Uppsala:
Bioactive plant compounds in social drinks –a risk for human reproduction?
10:45 Break
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11:15 – 13:00 Session 4: Documentation needs
Chair: Arne Flåøyen
11:15 Frans Verstraete, EU Commision, Brussels:
Management and regulation of bioactive compounds in current feed and food
plants
11:45 Knut Flatlandsmo, Norwegian Food Safety Authority:
Documentation of beneficial effects of bioactive plant compounds in food and
feed
12:10 Steinar Madsen, Norwegian Medicines Agency:
Does traditional use of herbal remedies guarantee safety?
12:35 Helle Margrete Meltzer, Norwegian Institute of Public Health:
Bioactive compounds through food, nutraceuticals or pills?
13:00-14:15 Lunch
14:15 – 15:45 Session 5: Agricultural factors
Chair: Aksel Bernhoft
14:15 Magnor Hansen, Norwegian University of Life Sciences:
The importance of plant cultivation and traditional breeding for contents of
bioactive compounds in feed and food plants
14:45 Knut Berdal, National Veterinary Institute, Oslo:
The importance of genetic modification for contents of bioactive compounds in
feed and food plants
15:15 Gerd Holmboe-Ottesen, University of Oslo:
Increased levels of bioactive compounds in organically grown plants?
15:45 – 16:30 Final discussion and summing up
Chair: Bal Ram Singh
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