From fats to lipids: 80 years of shared knowledge AFECG-SFEL (1943–2023)

Abstract

This is anOpe Société Française pour l’Étude des Lipides (SFEL) celebrates its 80th anniversary this year 2023. Its current legal form dates from September 8, 2011 according to the statutes signed by Anne LE GUILLOU its then President and Alain RANCUREL its Treasurer. Its current purpose is to “bring together specialists in the production, processing and use of oils, fats and derivatives in order to promote the acquisition and extension of knowledge in these branches of industry, to establish and maintain friendly relations between the members of the association”. It also aims to award the Chevreul Medal created in 1963 in memory of the creator of fat chemistry who lived and worked for many years in this magnificent place where we are currently the Verniquet amphitheater ofMuséum national d’Histoire naturelle in Paris. It was also in 2011 that SFEL joined 66 rue La Boétie in Paris in the premises of the Fédération Nationale des Industries des Corps Gras (FNCG). From 2011 to date, the following people have been involved in the life of the association: – As Presidents: Philippe GUESNET since 2021, Frédéric FINE (2019–2020), Michel LINDER (2017–2018), Fabrice TURON (2015–2016), Pierre VILLENEUVE (2012–2014) and Anne LE GUILLOU (2009–2012); – As General Secretary: Claire BERTON-CARABIN currently and since 2019, Claire BOURLIEU-LACANAL (2016–2018), Elmira ARAB-TEHRANY (2017), Michel LINDER (2015–2016), Anne LEGUILLOU (2013–2014), and Jean-Claude ICART (2008–2012); – As Treasurer: Bernadette DELPLANQUE (2019–2023) linchpin of the current Chevreul days with Philippe GUESNET (2017–2018), and Alain RANCUREL (2003–2016) true memory of our association. All in all, a happy collaboration of researchers, academics, teachers, business executives, technical and interprofessional centers in the lipids and fats sector. The highlight of this period 2011–2023 was undoubtedly the 2017 Congress of Nancy “Lipids & Brain, Lipids in Alzheimer disease” organized by the team of Michel LINDER of the University of Lorraine on a theme of great scientific and practical interest, with a public conference given by Stephan CUNNANE Chevreul Medalist 2017 in the sumptuous and prestigious setting of the major salons of the City Hall of Nancy overlooking Place Stanislas. Also “Lipids & Brain” 2015, 2011, 2007 in Paris organized by the respective teams with the Chevreul Medals attributed to Michael CRAWFORD (2015), Nicolas BAZAN (2011) and Stanley RAPOPORT (2007). Before 2011 and since 1973, the name of SFEL was Association Française pour l’Étude des Corps Gras (AFECG). Its purpose was to bring together specialists in the study and manufacture of fats and derivatives, with a view to promoting knowledge of scientific or technical problems of general interest in these branches of industry, and to establish and maintain all friendly relations between members. It can therefore be seen that at the time the object was focused on the industrial sector since its origin, it was only in 2011 that the field of production was explicitly integrated into the object. The AFECG was hosted by the Fédération Nationale des Industries des Corps Gras (FNCG) at 118 avenue Achille Peretti in Neuilly. The successive Presidents of this period have been successively: – Jacques SOULIER (1991–1992) University of Perpignan; – François LOURY (1993–1994) Cargill Company; – François MORDRET (1995–1997) Institut des Corps Gras ITERG; – Georges VERMEERSCH (1997–1998) Sofiprotéol; – Michel PARMENTIER (1999–2000) University of Lorraine; – Jean-Luc PERRIN (2001–2002) Astra Calvé; – André POUZET (2003–2005) CETIOM which has since become Terres Inovia; – Alain HUERTAS (2005–2007) LESIEUR; – Bernadette DELPLANQUE (2008–2009) University of Saclay; – Anne LE GUILLOU (2009–2012) Danone; In this period 1990–2011 the loyalty of the other animators is to be emphasized: – Paule POTTIER, Astra Calvé General Secretary from 1989 to 1998; – Jean-Claude BARRUET, General Secretary from 1999 to 2007; – Jean-Claude ICART, OCL General Secretary from 2008 to 2012;