Chemistry in Daily Life

Food Chemistry

• Food chemicals enhance flavor, color, texture, and preservation.
• Chemical additives prevent spoilage and extend shelf life.
• Modern food production leverages chemistry for efficient food processing, packaging, and distribution.
• Food chemistry enables the creation of healthier, more nutritious food options through fortification and supplementation.
• Food chemistry helps in the development of food safety measures.

Chemical Examples

• Preservatives: Prevent spoilage and microbial growth:
  • Sodium benzoate: Used for acid foods like sodas and pickles.
  • Calcium propionate: Found in breads and baked goods.
  • Nitrites: Used to cure meats and enhance their color.
• Flavoring Agents: Enhance taste, aroma, and mouthfeel:
  • Salt: Basic seasoning and taste enhancer.
  • Sugar: Sweetener and flavor enhancer.
  • Natural and artificial flavorings: Extract or copy complex flavors, such as vanillin.
• Coloring Agents: Enhance visual appeal:
  • Caramel coloring: Used in soft drinks, candy, and sauces.
  • Annato: Derived from achiote seeds, used in cheeses, margarine, and dairy products.
  • Beta-carotene: Adds yellow or orange color to foods, found naturally in carrots.

Chemistry in Cleaning Agents

• Cleansing agents, like detergents and soaps, rely on chemical reactions to remove dirt, grease, and grime.
• Surfactants lower surface tension, allowing water to more effectively wet surfaces.
• Chemicals in cleansing agents break down grease and oil, and help to remove bacteria.

Chemicals in Medicines

• Pharmaceuticals rely on specifically designed chemicals to treat and manage diseases.
• Medicines can target specific biological processes, promoting healing, relieving pain, or preventing illness.
• Examples include:
  • Aspirin: Pain reliever and anti-inflammatory.
  • Penicillin: Antibiotic used to treat bacterial infections.
  • Insulin: Used to manage diabetes.