Chemistry of Foods: Food Additives

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which food additive is known to cause changes in the DNA of cells?

Potassium nitrate

Butylated Hydroxy-Anisole (BHA) (correct)

Monosodium glutamate (MSG)

E151 Brilliant Black BN

In which category of foods is E151 Brilliant Black BN commonly found?

Drinks (correct)

Fruits

Meats

Baked goods

What is the function of E621 Monosodium glutamate (MSG)?

Preservative

Thickening agent

Coloring agent

Flavor enhancer (correct)

Which food additive can lower the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood?

Potassium nitrate Signup and view all the answers

Why have many baby food producers stopped adding MSG to their products?

It causes negative health symptoms like chest pains and headaches Signup and view all the answers

Which food additive is classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans by The International Agency for Research on Cancer?

Butylated Hydroxy-Anisole (BHA) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of antioxidants in food products?

To reduce enzyme browning Signup and view all the answers

Which food additive category includes sodium alginate as an example?

Thickeners Signup and view all the answers

Which natural ingredient from the vitamin E family acts as a natural antioxidant?

Tocopherols Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of stabilisers in food products?

To hold ingredients together so they won't separate Signup and view all the answers

Which category of food additives does the substance E120 belong to?

Colours Signup and view all the answers

Which food additive is used specifically to inhibit the browning of cut fruits?

E300 (ascorbic acid) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of a preservative in food products?

Prevent decomposition by microbial growth Signup and view all the answers

In the context of food additives, which category includes acetyl gallate derivatives?

Antioxidants Signup and view all the answers

Which food color is derived from pregnant scale insects?

Cochineal Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of using food additives in food processing?

To improve the palatability and appearance of food Signup and view all the answers

Which category of food additives includes thickeners, stabilisers, and emulsifiers?

Thickeners, stabilisers & emulsifiers Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of adding curcumin (E100) to food products?

To provide an orange color Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Food Additives

Food additives improve palatability, appearance, keeping quality, storage life, and safety, while minimizing food wastage.
Additives are categorized into several groups, including colours, preservatives, antioxidants, thickeners, stabilizers, and more.

Colours (E100-199)

Colours are substances added to food or drink to change their colour.
Examples: E100 (Curcumin, orange colour, extracted from turmeric), E120 (Cochineal, natural red colour, derived from pregnant scale insects).

Preservatives (E200-299)

Preservatives prevent decomposition by microbial growth or undesirable chemical changes.
Examples: E151 (Brilliant Black BN, avoid if you have asthma, rhinitis, urticaria, or other allergies), E320 (BHA, possibly carcinogenic to humans, interacts with nitrites to form DNA-changing chemicals).

Preservatives to Avoid

E621 (Monosodium glutamate, MSG, flavor enhancer, causes pressure on the head, seizures, chest pains, headache, nausea, and more).
E249 (Potassium nitrate, preservative in cured meats, lowers oxygen-carrying capacity of blood, forms carcinogenic nitrosamines, and affects the adrenal gland).

Antioxidants & Acidity Regulators (E300-399)

Antioxidants extend shelf life, improve taste and appearance, and reduce enzyme browning.
Examples: E300 (Ascorbic acid, vitamin C, natural antioxidant, inhibits browning of cut fruits), E306-309 (Tocopherols, natural antioxidants from the vitamin E family), E310-312 (Acetyl gallate derivatives, synthetic antioxidants, used in margarine and oil).

Thickeners, Stabilisers (E400-499)

Thickeners add thickness to products, improving texture and appearance.
Examples: E401 (Sodium alginate, thickening and gelling agent, extracted from brown seaweeds), E440 (Pectin, stabilizer, polysaccharide present in plant cell walls, commercially produced from apple and oranges).

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the role of food additives in improving the palatability, appearance, shelf life, and safety of food. Learn about categories such as colors, preservatives, antioxidants, thickeners, and emulsifiers.