Links foodstuffs

Commercial products usually do not pose health threats to their consumers. However, botulism cases acquired after consumption of commercially prepared canned foods have been reported. In the U.S., 62 outbreaks occurred in the years 1899 to 1973 (Lynt et al., 1975). Only 7% of outbreaks reported between 1950 and 1996 were linked to commercially processed foods (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1998). The implicated foodstuffs included chopped garlic in soy oil stored in glass bottles at room temperature (Louis et al., 1988), sliced roasted eggplant in oil, yogurt with hazelnuts, stuffed lotus rhizome, bottled caviar, and canned peanuts (Chou et al., 1988 D Argenio et al., 1995). 

In addition to murein, bacterial polysaccharides include dextrans—glucose polymers that are mostly al 6-linked and al 3-branched. In water, dextrans form viscous slimes or gels that are used for chromatographic separation of macromolecules after chemical treatment (see p.78). Dextrans are also used as components of blood plasma substitutes (plasma expanders) and foodstuffs. 

Two epidemiological studies of workers exposed to ethylene oxide revealed increased rates of leukemia. In one smdy, two cases of leukemia (0.14 expected) and three stomach cancers (0.4 expected) were observed. The other study found three cases of leukemia (0.2 expected). Because these workers had exposures to other potential carcinogens, the findings cannot be linked with certainty to ethylene oxide. The small cohort size, the small number of deaths, and uncertainties about exposure level have also been noted." A number of other studies have not found an increased rate of cancer mortality from ethylene oxide exposure. A mortality study of over 18,000 ethylene oxide workers from 14 plants producing medical supplies and foodstuffs did not find an excess of leukemia or brain, stomach, or pancreatic cancers. There was, however, an increase in non-Hodgkin lymphoma in male workers. A follow-up of 1896 ethylene oxide production workers did not find an increase in mortality from leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, or brain, pancreatic, or stomach cancers. ... 

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a very useful technique for the specific and sensitive assay of certain compounds, in which suitable antibodies, monoclonal or polyclonal, to the compounds are available. The technique has found particular application m the monitoring of environmental contaminants and toxins, either studying the primarily contaminated materials, e.g., foodstuffs, or body fluids of potentially exposed humans. The technique has been increasingly applied to monitoring the carcinogenic mycotoxins, the aflatoxins. 

Collagen and gelatin are of commercial importance. As insoluble collagen, this material may be cross-linked further by tanning and thus converted to leather. The soluble gelatins are used in the manufacture of foodstuffs, film emulsions, and glue. 

Figure 20-8 Perspective of the metabolic scheme whereby carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in foodstuffs are oxidized to C02, showing the link between glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation...

Helle, N. and Linke, B. (1992). ESR for detecting gamma-irradiated foodstuffs. Bruker Report 91/92, 8. 

Oddly enough, there has been willing, even enthusiastic, acceptance on the part of the public all over the world of synthetic pharmaceuticals and foodstuffs, such as substitutes for herbal remedies, butter, cream, milk, etc. Some synthetics are advertised vaguely as if somehow they were linked with Nature (with pictures of flowers, farm gates perhaps, or cows), but many also are stated quite honestly to be of limited nutritional value— low calorie , etc.) Soap still is used in a large way, but synthetic washing products and toiletries also have found widespread approval. 

Apocarotenals and their corresponding carboxylates are natural colorants which occur in citrus fruits, spinach and other plants and which have vitamin A activity. They are used as fat-soluble foodstuff colorants. For their synthesis, specifically selected building blocks can be linked with one another under the conditions of the Wittig reaction ... 

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