NUFS150 - Naturally Occurring Toxicants and Potentiall Undesirable Constituents of Food I

Question 1

What are 7 endogenous toxins from plants?

Answer 1

toxic PHENOLIC substances, CYANOgenic GLYCOsides, GLUCOSINOlates, ACETYLCHOLINEsterase inhibitors, biogenic AMINES, AGARitine, alpha-AMINOPROPionic ACID derivatives.

Question 2

What type of taste comes from toxic phenolic compounds?

Answer 2

Toxic phenolic compounds taste bitter.

Question 3

What are some examples of phenolic acids?

Answer 3

Flavonoids, lignin, tannins, coumarin, safrole.

Question 4

What are the 6 subgroups of flavonoids?

Answer 4

Flavonone, Flavone, Anthocyanidin, Isoflavone, Chalcone, Auron.

Question 5

Why are flavonoids important to a daily diet?

Answer 5

Flavonoids help decrease the occurrence of chronic diseases. Flavonoids are a type of dietary antioxidant.

Question 6

What color are flavones?

Answer 6

Flavones are a yellow group of pigments found in plants.

Question 7

What are flavonoids?

Answer 7

Flavonoids are pigments found in plants. There are 6 kinds of flavonoids.

Question 8

What are hydrolyzed tannins used for?

Answer 8

Hydrolyzed tannins are used to isolate proteins.

Question 9

Where can tannins be found in food?

Answer 9

Tannins can be found in tea, coffee, cocoa, mangos, dates, persimmons, grapes, grape juice, wines, and ferns.

Question 10

What injury is caused by tannic acid?

Answer 10

Acute liver injury, such as liver necrosis and fatty liver, has been caused by tannic acid.

Question 11

Toxic phenolic compounds, such as safrole and myristicin, can be found in what kind of herb?

Answer 11

Black pepper is a source of safrole and myristicin.

Question 12

Safrole and coumarin are known to cause damage to this organ?

Answer 12

Liver damage is caused by safrole and myristicin.

Question 13

How can cyanide be produced from cyanogenic glycosides?

Answer 13

Cyanide can be formed from cyanogenic glycosides by a hydrolytic enzyme.

Question 14

Why do plants produce cyanogenic glycosides?

Answer 14

Plants produce cyanogenic glycosides as a defense mechanism against herbivores.

Question 15

What would be the lethal amount of a cyanide dose?

Answer 15

0.5-3.5mg/kg is the lethal dose of cyanide.

Question 16

Where can cyanide be found in food?

Answer 16

Cassava root has a high concentration of cyanide.

Question 17

Where can amygdalins be found in food?

Answer 17

Almonds, seeds of apple, apricot, cherry, peach, pear, plum have high concentration of amygdalins.

Question 18

Where can linamarins be found in food?

Answer 18

Lima beans, flax seed, and cassava have high concentration of linamarin.

Question 19

What happens when linamarin enters the body?

Answer 19

The body produces an enzyme which hydrolizes linamarin. The products are acetone and hydrocyanic acid.

Question 20

How is cyanide detoxified?

Answer 20

Cyanide is detoxified when it is converted to thiocyanate. Sulfurtransferase rhodanase is the catalyst for this reaction.

Question 21

Where can glucosinolates be found in food?

Answer 21

Cabbage, broccoli, turnips, rutabaga, mustard greens have a high concentration of glucosinolates.

Question 22

What are the 3 major glucosinolates?

Answer 22

Sinigrin, Progoitrin, Glucobrassicin.

Question 23

What does progoitrin do to the body?

Answer 23

Progoitrin is an antithyroid compound. It inhibits the production of thyroid hormones by interferring with iodine intake.

Question 24

What symptoms are caused by glucosinolates?

Answer 24

Sedation, ataxia, and sleepiness are caused by glucosinolates.

Question 25

Where can acetycholinesterase inhibitors be found in food?

Answer 25

Potato eyes have a high concentration of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors

Question 26

What is the active compound found in acetylcholinesterase inhibitors?

Answer 26

Alkaloids are the active compound in acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.

Question 27

Where do solanine and chaconine irritate the body?

Answer 27

Solanine and chaconine irritate the digestive tract.

Question 28

What is the major problem with solanin?

Answer 28

Solanine is heat stable and insoluble in water. Cooking/boiling potatoes will not make it safe to eat compared to other compounds which can be processed.

Question 29

Where can biogenic amines be found in food?

Answer 29

Biogenic amines can be found in bananas, pineapples, tomatoes, and fully matured cheese.

Question 30

Why should those taking antidepressants avoid foods containing biogenic amines?

Answer 30

Antidepressants inhibit monoamine oxidase. MAO is used to metabolize tyramine. Individuals will suffer from headaches, palpitations, and high blood pressure when eating cheese on antidepressants.

Question 31

Where can alpha-aminopropionic acid derivatives be found in food?

Answer 31

alpha-aminopropionic acid derivatives are common in peas found in India.

Question 32

What diseases occur from the consumption of alpha-aminopropionic acid derivatives?

Answer 32

Skeletal malformations and neurotoxic effects are caused by alpha-aminopropionic acid derivatives.

Question 33

Where can agaritine be found in food?

Answer 33

Mushroom have a high concentration of agaritine.

Question 34

What do agaritine form in the body?

Answer 34

Tumors can form from the consumption of agaritine.