Nutrients compounds

The mucosa of the GIT represents an interface between the external and internal environments. The expansive surface area is necessary for the efficient hydrolysis of foodstuffs and the absorption of energy and nutrients. The mucosa also influences the systemic availability of non-nutrient compounds in the diet, both beneficial and detrimental. Digestion and absorption of glucosinolates are critical determinants of health benefits (see Chapter 4) Similarly, the bioavailability and health benefits of phytoestrogens, such as genistein (see Chapters 5 and 10) are at least partly dependent on the carrier-mediated processes of absorption associated with the GIT (Oitate et al, 2001). Moreover, the metabolic activities of the mucosa can influence the systemic concentrations and forms of dietary phytochemicals, as exemplified by research with soy isoflavones (Andlauer et al., 2000). 

Non-nutrient compounds in the diet have been found to exert inhibitory effects in experimental carcinogenesis [259, 260, 265-269]. Monoterpenes are non-nutritive dietary components found in the EOs of aromatic plants. Several experimental and population-based studies indicate that isoprenoids in the diet play an important role in the ability to avoid cancers [263, 266, 270-276]. 

Antioxidant-rich phytochemicals are micro-constituents in plants and agricultural food products. They differ from proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, which are macro-nutrients that are abundant in plants and food products. The type and quantity of antioxidant-rich phytochemicals vary significantly from source to source. Different types of the antioxidant-rich phytochemicals may have different antioxidant and other biological activities and bio availability. Although most phytochemicals have UV absorption, using traditional spectrophotometeric methods to quantify the antioxidants is not practical as they could be significantly masked or interfered with by many other compounds in the sources. Thus, the analysis methods for antioxidant-rich phytochemicals are more complicated and sophisticated than the methods used for macro-nutrient compounds. 

Another practical consideration when dealing with the seawater carbonic acid system is that in addition to carbonate alkalinity, H and OH , a number of other components can contribute to the total alkalinity (TA). The seawater constituent that is usually most important is boric acid. Under most conditions, boric acid contributes — 0.1 mmol alkalinity it is usually taken into consideration when making calculations. Nutrient compounds, such as ammonium, phosphate, and silica, whose concentrations in seawater are highly variable, can also influence alkalinity. They must be taken into account for very precise work. In anoxic pore waters a number of compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide and dissolved organic matter, can be significant contributors to alkalinity (e.g., see Berner et al, 1970). 

Ammonia is the source of nitrogen in many fertilizers. Unfortunately, nature does not produce NH3 and related plant nutrient compounds rapidly enough to provide an adequate food supply for the world s growing population. Commercial synthetic fertilizers have helped to lessen this problem, but at great cost for the energy that is required to produce them. 

As whey contains many nutrient compounds (lactose, proteins, minerals and some fat) its use as starting material for the manufacture of various specialty products expands. 

However, not only the inorganic nutrient compounds have to be taken into account, but... 

Photolytic degradation of dissolved organic nitrogen and phosphorus compounds release inorganic nutrient compounds such as nitrite, ammonia, and phosphate, as well as CO and CO2 [e.g., review of 41,45-47]. Stimulatory effects of increase nutrient availability by such processes clearly occurs [e.g., 47]. 

Iodine is a basic nutrient compound in the ocean. Iodate (I03) is the oxidized form and abundant in ocean. Iodate is removed by plants, iodide 1 is released and oxidizes chemically and bacterially to iodate. The biogeochemical cycle has not been studied in reef ecosystems, but we believe it will be one of the most interesting. It appears iodate can be removed from the water column by reef communities very rapidly and has rate constants similar to nitrate (Atkinson,... 

Likewise epigenetic events such as methylation of DNA, methylation and phosphorylation of histone proteins, and modification of RNA can regulate the response to nutrient compounds by effecting the gene expression. Eventually synthesis and degradation of proteins and modification alterations in the end of the synthesis are all determinative in nutrient and compound responses [129]. 

Some non-nutrient compounds present in plant foods have potentially protective effects other than as antioxidants. The actions of these compounds include ... 

Schizomycetes bacteria are a species related to fungi. The degradation property of the organism depends mainly on the enzyme production, which results in the breakdown of the synthetic polymer and converts into its nutrient compounds. 

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