Transcript Document

Chemistry 106 University of Nebraska Spring 2009

Husker Baseball

27 March 2009

Vitamin D

several vitamin D’s exist, with slightly different molecular structure, but with identical physiological function

characteristics

Fat-soluable vitamin

excess only occurs from overdosing of supplements

most common of D vitamins: D 3 , chloracalciferol

sources: formed from sunlight striking skin & converting

7-dehydrocholesterol into D 3 or from drinking fortified milk deficiency symptoms: poor bone development in children and rickets in adults

Vitamin D 3 Know this structure for test!!

Cholesterol

Vitamin C

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Chemical name: ascorbic acid (is carboxyl acid) Characteristics

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Water soluble vitamin food sources: citrus fruits-

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destroys bacteria/viruses, healing of wounds deficiency symptoms: teeth, lethargy) and vegetables scurvy ( bleeding of gums, loss of Be able to recognize for test!!!

Vitamin E

• Fat Soluble vitamin • Unique among vitamins in that its primary function is as an antioxidant , especially in the lungs (vitamin C also has some antioxidant properties) • Important in maintenance of cell membranes, essential for reproduction • Lack of E can cause sterility and contribute to muscular dystrophy • Widely distributed in many foods

“B” Vitamins

Many B vitamins act as coenzymes

Coenzymes : small molecules that work in conjunction with enzymes to enhance enzyme activity

Niacin : critical role in energy transfer glucose and fat metabolism during

Niacin is present in the coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD + NADH) and

Vitamin Myths

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What do massive doses of Vitamin C do in the body?

Water soluble – not stored

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Relatively nontoxic Other vitamins (A & E for example) can be toxic by overdose Does Vitamin C really cure disease?

Linus Pauling (1971) claimed it does

Large-scale studies since then show no advantage to massive doses of the vitamin

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However, the myth persists especially about curing the cold “Placebo Effect” – if you think it will work, it will Although vitamins might prevent disease no one knows if they can cure disease.

Natural versus Synthetic Vitamins

•An iron atom obtained from iron ore dug from the earth is no different that than an iron atom found in a steak •The use of iron in heme molecule requires vitamin B 12 as a coenzyme

Natural versus Synthetic Vitamins

Just like iron, vitamin B 12 although a compound, contains the same atoms and arrangement whether it comes from food or a pill

Vitamin B 12 (cobalamin) is obtained from ingesting meats (along with iron)

It is also obtained from vitamin supplements (which may or may not contain iron)

Similarly iron may be obtained from mineral supplements (which may or may not contain cobalamin)

Natural versus Synthetic Vitamins

Vitamin C from different sources Not vitamin C

The stereochemistry of vitamin C. All molecules of vitamin C have this structure and stereochemistry, regardless of their source

The Health Food/Junk Food Debate

Health food:

food that is organic, natural or without

chemicals (is this possible?) unprocessed, fresh, no sugar, fat or cholesterol

food supplying a large number of mincronutrients compared its calorie content

The Health Food/Junk Food Debate

Junk food:

food containing a large number of calories but

with few nutrients_- (empty calories) highly processed sweet food, snacks, “fast” food

Nutrition Content Labeling

Recommended Daily Allowances (RDA)

Levels of intake of essential nutrients judged to meet the nutritional needs of the majority of healthy individuals

Help provide a standard for daily dietary intake of micronutrients

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No RDA has been established for carbs or fats ( there is one for protein) One size fits all philosophy doesn’t fit anyone

Nutrition Content Labeling

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Reference Daily Intake (RDI)

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Highest RDA

micronutrient

allowance Excluding pregnant or nursing mothers

Daily Reference Value (DRV)

Highest RDA

macronutrient

allowance (includes carbs, fats, proteins) Daily Value (DV) (% Daily Value)

Combineds RDI and DRV

usually based on 2000 calories/day

Nutrition Content Labeling

“Nutrition Facts”

Found on labels of processed foods (cereal, etc) – based on %DV

Ingredients listed in order of decreasing weight

Includes chemicals we think of as food additives

Nutrition Content Labeling

“Nutrition Facts” based on

2000 calories/day

Fats subdivided into saturated and unsaturated types

Carbohydrates categorized as sugars and fiber

Total protein- is always listed

Based on standard serving size (set by Feds)

Food Additives

A quick history lesson

Salt (NaCl) used for centuries as preservatives

Egyptians used food dyes 3500 yrs ago !!

Using herbs, spices, & honey to enhance flavor practiced for centuries

Used to cover rank smell and taste of rancid food

Food Additives

History of food additive regulation in the U.S.

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Late 1800’s U.S. Patent Office issued first patent for food additive ( NaCl and Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 ) 1902: Dr. Harvey Wiley (chemist) used volunteers to test additives by eating them Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle” highlighted slaughterhouse and meat processing facility filth and unsanitary conditions in early 1900’s

Food Additives

History of food additive regulation in the U.S.

Sinclair’s book stimulated passing of

1906 Meat Inspection Act

1906 Pure Food and Drug Act

1906 food and drug administration (FDA) created

Food Additives

Today Pure Food and Drug Act includes cosmetics – Federal food, drug and cosmetic act

A food additive is any substance added to food to produce a specific, beneficial result

One type of additive:

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Substances used as an additive before Jan. 1, 1958 Substances that through long usage we generally recognize as safe GRAS (Generally recognized as safe) list – substances not requiring constant testing for safety

anise, cinnamon, ascorbic acid, etc

Food Additives

A second type of additive

Compounds shown by scientific studies to be safe

Must be tested prior to use

Includes newly developed chemicals

Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), pyridoxine hydrochloride BHT