International Conference on the Science of Botanicals
ICSB 2025
AT ICSB last month, Khanh Tran, Alkemist HPTLC, R&D Technical Supervisor, presented “Foraging for Methods: The Right HPTLC Method for the Right Specs. She provided this recap:
This year’s International Conference on Botanical Science (ICSB) at Oxford, MI saw Anthony, Nick, and me in attendance, and what a conference it was.
Stepping into the ICSB feels like entering a living, breathing encyclopedia of plant knowledge. Scholars, researchers, manufacturers, and enthusiasts from around the world have gathered to exchange groundbreaking ideas, from ecological conservation to the latest advances in phytochemistry methodology. The energy is electric—discussions unfold in every corner, bridging disciplines, and pushing the boundaries of botanical and fungal research. From presentations about cutting-edge discoveries in fungal material, such as ones by Anna Kreynes and Julie Daoust, to interactive sessions sparking fresh debates, such as the ashwagandha session led by Thomas Brendler, the conference is a testament to how deeply intertwined botany is with the future of our planet. Being here, surrounded by brilliant minds and shared passion, reaffirms that plants and fungi are not just a field of study but a world of possibilities waiting to be uncovered.
I had the opportunity to join the session on Chromatographic Tools to Assess Quality and present on our most recent studies and investigations on what is known, what was learned, and what yet has been discovered for fungal materials. As the use of fungal material in dietary supplements and foods gain in popularity, we have been evaluating our current methodologies for identification testing and to define specificity and sensitivity for the almost two dozen fungal materials that we test in TLC. To that end, we have been successful in developing fungal identification methods by TLC that produce the high degree of quality and confidence that we strive to achieve. However, there is still a lot of work to do for the remaining fungal materials, especially those with greater amounts of variability and dependance on growing situations.
This year’s ICSB was also my first foray into presenting at the poster session, on our latest orthogonal approach to botanical testing using both quantitative (HPLC) and qualitative (TLC) testing tools. Ashwagandha is another popular herb used in Ayurvedic medicine, with benefits to support both mental and physical health. My poster highlighted the ability of TLC testing to determine the limit of detection (LOD) of ashwagandha leaf in root material as well as the ability to use either analytical tool to test for leaf-specific or root-specific chemical markers. It seemed especially serendipitous to present on this topic this year as there were many discussions and presentations on the efficacy and potential toxicity of ashwagandha, which left me with food for thought for our continuing investigations.
Although Nick and I were not successful in winning the coveted first place medal at the ICSB games, we did leave the conference smiling with our third-place medals, many new friends, and a plethora of new research and information about the ever-changing world of plants. Many thanks to Ikhlas Khan for hosting and organizing a fantastic ICSB.
ICSB 2024
Alkemist was represented at the 22nd annual International Conference on the Science of Botanicals (ICSB) in Oxford, MS this year by our Lab Director Anthony Fontana, HPTLC Supervisor Khanh Tran, and Business Development Manager Nick Crowning. Tran and Nick share their observations.
Nick: Our trip started with a great seminar on our favorite subject, HPTLC. The seminar was put on by the HPTLC Association and was an excellent way to kick off the week. I enjoyed learning about how our colleagues find solutions to the same problems that we face in this industry, such as trying to identify a novel botanical, or facing botanical extracts of ‘questionable’ quality.
For the rest of the week, we attended numerous talks hosted by an array of industry experts who share our passion for botanical products (dare I say medicines)? I was particularly intrigued by FDAs report of how they discovered and responded to recent fraudulent products. I felt the report was perfectly timed as for some reason, there are numerous rumors being perpetuated that our industry is the unregulated wild west. FDA’s talk as well as the conference itself is a testament to the contrary; that botanical remedies are regulated, and backed by science, tradition, and grassroot movements to keep them accessible to the public.
Outside of the conference, I had the pleasure of touring the Universities medicinal plant greenhouse. During the tour, it dawned on me that I had never seen most of the plants we test on a daily basis alive and growing. With our industry growing so quickly, it was good to be brought back to the tradition of these botanical remedies; our relationship with the plant in nature. Thankfully, many of the talks at the conference highlighted the importance of sustainability, which I hope enables future generations to enjoy botanicals like we can today.
The most important aspect of ICSB, in my mind, is the in-person time I had with existing clients, old friends and contacts, and people I met for the first time at the show. The last few years have taught me just how valuable it is to shake a hand, share a lunch table, or play a ‘friendly’ game of ladder ball. The connections we make in person are invaluable, and I’ll forever be grateful for the time we had together.
Khanh: ICSB was an amazing experience for newcomers like Nick and me.
It kicked off with its first North America HPTLC Symposium by the HPTLC Association where I was invited to speak on an exciting multi-lab collaborative study that our Identity departments have been working on. We also heard from other organizations like USP, labs like Flora Research, and entities like CAMAG, which evoked a sense of community, and provided subjects to discuss with the other attendees.
I greatly enjoyed making connections with other scientists, chemists, and botanists, discussing the shared issues in related to botanical testing, and learning more about other facets of the industry. Throughout the rest of the week, the three of us – or as other attendees dubbed us, “The Trio” – attended presentations such as studies on dissolution, issues in cultivating frankincense, Korean ginseng efficacy, and emerging regulations for cosmetic testing. In addition to the technical sessions, I also had my first chance of meeting, speaking with, and learning from key figures in our industry. I can now connect faces and personalities to names that I have heard from Sid, Elan, or Petra, which was honestly one of the best aspects of attending ICSB.
Of all of the memorable sessions, Arun Krishnamurthy and Julie Daoust’s presentations on mushroom testing stood out. Learning about new analytical techniques for identifying mushrooms and its accuracy is exciting, given that mushrooms are an ever-growing cornerstone for our industry. Also hearing from those who grow these mushrooms, from their cultivation experiments, challenges, and results was enlightening, and an introduction to new products and strains available for dietary supplements that we will undoubtedly be testing at Alkemist soon.
Then finally, on that fateful Wednesday night, Nick and I made our debut as the newest challengers from Alkemist Labs to the ICSB Games. We had big shoes to fill with Bryan Fine’s 3-peat victories and so, it felt only right that our team name was in his honor and a reminder to the other competitors that we were here to win. Introducing: Team “Bryan Fine”! We (read: Nick) emerged victorious in corn hole, held our ground in ladder ball and basketball, and struck down as many pins as possible in bowling. All in all, we walked away with the second-place win – not bad for our first time.
Was ICSB as amazing as I thought it would be? Even better than my expectations. Did I come back with more knowledge than when I left? Absolutely. Did Nick and I already start training for next year’s games? You know it.
ICSB 2023
By Bryan Fine
Attending the International Conference on the Science of Botanicals was an enriching and fulfilling experience. From the informative presentations and discussions to the welcoming and collaborative atmosphere, the conference proved to be an ideal forum for exploring new ideas, connecting with industry friends, and gaining a deeper understanding of the issues facing our industry. The conference was a reminder of the power of collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and scientific inquiry, and I feel honored to have been a part of it.
The International Conference on the Science of Botanicals (ICSB) in Oxford, Mississippi brought together experts and enthusiasts from around the world to discuss the latest research and advancements in the field of botany. Over the course of the conference, attendees had the opportunity to attend talks and presentations on a wide range of topics, including plant phytochemistry, regulations, and advancements in technology. With so much knowledge and expertise in one place, the conference proved to be a valuable opportunity for networking, learning, and inspiration. ICSB always earns its reputation as one of the most important industry conferences of the year.
As a sponsor and attendee at the ICSB, I was impressed by the depth and breadth of knowledge on display. While all of the talks and presentations were informative and engaging, there were a few that stood out to me in particular. One was a presentation by an FDA staff member on emerging trends for supplement fraud. The presentation focused on mislabeled and adulterated products, which shed light on an important and reoccurring issue in the botanicals industry. The presentation highlighted the need for greater transparency and oversight to protect consumers and ensure that products accurately contain the ingredients listed on the label. Another notable topic was synthetic biology, which explored the intersection of technology and plant biology. This presentation opened my eyes to new possibilities for creating novel plant-based products and finding innovative solutions to environmental challenges. Overall, I found the conference to be a valuable opportunity to learn from experts in the field and gain new insights.
Aside from the informative presentations and discussions, the atmosphere and culture of the conference is unmatched. The event fostered a welcoming and collaborative environment that encouraged open dialogue and the exchange of ideas, along with fun networking opportunities. I particularly enjoyed participating in the lawn games and was thrilled to win first place for the second year in a row. It was refreshing to be surrounded by like-minded individuals who are passionate about advancing the field of botany and promoting scientific inquiry. The science-oriented discussions were enlightening and insightful, challenging me to think critically about the issues facing the botanicals industry and consider new approaches to problem-solving. Overall, the atmosphere and culture of the event made for a truly memorable experience, and I look forward to defending my title again next year as Lawn Games Champion.
The hardware is really adding up, and yes, Lawn Games Champion medals count!