I read that E220 'can be consumed by all religious groups, vegans and vegetarians'.
But what is it? Find out what you can about this common chemical used in your food.
Monday 23 April 2012
Monday 16 April 2012
The tin of tomatoes I bought contains citric acid.
We know that citric acid is found in citrus fruits, with lemons and limes having a greater concentration than a strawberry. But what's it doing, added to my tin of tomatoes?
I've now found out that citric acid is manufactured industrially in great quantities for detergents, medicine, and cosmetics. (Yes! I remember making the bath bombs!) It seems to act variously as a cleaning agent, as a preservative to stop mould or bacteria growth, and to provide an acidic taste.
In the tin of tomatoes, I guess it provides the 'edge' to the taste, and helps prevent mould. Do you think it also helps prevent any reaction between tomatoes and the metal of the tin that contains them?
What can you add to my knowledge of citric acid with your research?
Try acids here (then take the quiz). Read about citric acid here. I don't understand the Kreb's cycle, but I can see it starts a new area to find out about.
We know that citric acid is found in citrus fruits, with lemons and limes having a greater concentration than a strawberry. But what's it doing, added to my tin of tomatoes?
I've now found out that citric acid is manufactured industrially in great quantities for detergents, medicine, and cosmetics. (Yes! I remember making the bath bombs!) It seems to act variously as a cleaning agent, as a preservative to stop mould or bacteria growth, and to provide an acidic taste.
In the tin of tomatoes, I guess it provides the 'edge' to the taste, and helps prevent mould. Do you think it also helps prevent any reaction between tomatoes and the metal of the tin that contains them?
What can you add to my knowledge of citric acid with your research?
Try acids here (then take the quiz). Read about citric acid here. I don't understand the Kreb's cycle, but I can see it starts a new area to find out about.
Monday 9 April 2012
On the label to your Sainsbury's hard cheese is the word Lysozyme.
Lysozyme is an enzyme.
It's used in the food industry as a preservative. I found this description from Foodditive helpful:
Lysozyme acts as a natural preservative that inhibits the growth of bacteria that lead to spoilage. It is mainly used in the cheese industry in the maturation of European cheeses, by preventing the growth of Clostridium tyrobutyricum spores which cause butyric acid fermentation leading to product loss and spoilage.
In my wandering about looking for enzymes, I also found this youtube video useful. What else can you find about enzymes or lysozyme?
Lysozyme is an enzyme.
It's used in the food industry as a preservative. I found this description from Foodditive helpful:
Lysozyme acts as a natural preservative that inhibits the growth of bacteria that lead to spoilage. It is mainly used in the cheese industry in the maturation of European cheeses, by preventing the growth of Clostridium tyrobutyricum spores which cause butyric acid fermentation leading to product loss and spoilage.
In my wandering about looking for enzymes, I also found this youtube video useful. What else can you find about enzymes or lysozyme?
Monday 2 April 2012
Maltodextrin?
Check the supermarket shelves and make a list of products where you can see this additive listed on the label. Are there particular types of foods that have this additive?
Let's eat something with it listed (the baked beans I bought this week is a good trial!) What do you think this additive might contribute to the texture, taste or appearance of food?
But what is maltodextrin?
You can do some research on Wikipedia, Wisegeek and find a chemical company to make it.
Typing Maltodextrin into Youtube also leads to a range of videos about this chemical.
After your research, what's your view? Is maltodextrin going to kill me by Thursday?
Check the supermarket shelves and make a list of products where you can see this additive listed on the label. Are there particular types of foods that have this additive?
Let's eat something with it listed (the baked beans I bought this week is a good trial!) What do you think this additive might contribute to the texture, taste or appearance of food?
But what is maltodextrin?
You can do some research on Wikipedia, Wisegeek and find a chemical company to make it.
Typing Maltodextrin into Youtube also leads to a range of videos about this chemical.
After your research, what's your view? Is maltodextrin going to kill me by Thursday?
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