Food Science Exam 4

Humulin

human insulin developed by Eli Lilly, Inc. in 1980 through recombinant E. coli, approved by FDA in 1982

Dr. Normal Borlaug (1914-2009)

- father of the Green Revolution

- winner of the Nobel Peace Prize

- credited with saving 1 billion people from starvation through his development of a semi-dwarf wheat which can handle environmental conditions better

- later brought it to Africa and Asia

Central Dogma

DNA -> transcription -> RNA -> translation -> protein

Conventional breeding

the crossing of male and female organisms within a species that are designed to make improvements to the organism followed by selection of improved progeny

Phenotyping

the systematic determination of an organism's observable traits (anatomical, physiological, and biochemical properties)

CRISPR-Cas9

gene editing technique that that is more efficient and precise than other techniques

Bt RNAi

used to "silence" specific genes in corn rootworms that are key for their survival so they can't damage corn crops

Patents

are allowed on biotech organisms (ex: bacteria that break down crude oil)

Coordinated Framework for the Regulation of Biotechnology

(1986, 1992, 2017) defined the roles for federal agencies to regulate biotech products

EPA

ensures biotech crops are good for the planet

FDA-HFP and USDA-APHIS

ensures biotech products are safe to eat

USDA-APHIS

ensures biotech products are safe to grow

Substantial equivalence

FDA-HFP determines whether biotech crops is similar enough to the existing crop. must be free from:

- unanticipated effects

- increases in natural toxins

- changes in nutrient content

- new allergens

Biotech statistics

- 80% of processed foods contain GMOs

- 90% cheese is made with biotech chymosin

- biotech improves crop yields by ~20%

FlavrSavr tomato

ripening tomatoes usually soften as polygalacturonase (PG) which breaks down pectin, the Favrsavr turns off PG gene

Round-up Ready soy

genetically modified soybeans produce more of an enzyme (EPSPS) that allows them to tolerate the herbicide glyphosate (Roundup)

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)

a common soil bacteria that produces Cry proteins

Bt-corn

genetically modified corn that produces a Cry protein that kills certain insect pests by binding to their gut receptors to form spears that punch holes in the gut

Rainbow papaya

papaya that is immune to papaya ring spot virus (prsv) by adding proteins to disrupt host-pathogen interaction

Artic Apple

non-browning apple because the expression of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzyme is suppressed though RNA interference (RNAi)

Innate potato

has reduced levels of free asparagine which significantly decreases acrylamide formation when tubers are baked or fried

FDA-CVM: FD&C Act, Rule 187

allows CVM to regulate biotech food animals as New Animal Drugs

AquAdvantage Salmon

genes from chinook salmon and ocean pout to allow them to grow to market size much faster (all female and sterile)

mold/mycotoxins

reducing injury by pests leads to less mold infiltration and lower mycotoxin

Pioneer Seed Soy

in 1996, Pioneer Seed tried improving the protein quality of soy by inserting it with DNA from a Brazil nut which resulted in allergic reactions from people allergic to the Brazil nut

GalSafe Pig

genetically enhanced to eliminate alpha-gal sugar so their organs can be harvested for human transplant

PRRS-Resistant Pig

pigs resistant to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) because a gene that encodes for a protein that allows the viruses to enter the cell is deleted

Jamaican Ginger Paralysis

Jamacian ginger extract caused the condition Jake Leg from the addition of triorthocresyl (TOCP)

Elixir of Sulfanilamide

many people died after ingesting the antibacterial drug sulfanilamide because it was contaminated with diethylene glycol

FD&C orange no. 1

color additive was banned in 1956 after many children became ill after eating orange halloween candy

Food Additive Amendment 1958

- burden for demonstrating safety of the additive was now placed on the manufacturer (no longer the government)

- all additives are ingredients, but not vice versa

- requires labeling of irradiation as a food additive

Food Additive Amendment Delaney CLause

no additive shall be deemed safe if it is found to induce cancer when ingested by man or animal

Current standard of safety for food additives

the petitioner has the burden to demonstrate a "reasonable certainty of no harm" from the intended use of the food additive

GRAS

generally recognized as safe

3 classes of direct food additives

1) food additives (covered under amendment)

2) food additives generally recognized as safe

3) additives with "prior approval"/prior sanctioned substances

Substances added to food

formerly called Everything Added to Foods in the United States (EAFUS) regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Generally recognized as safe

- excluded from the definition of food additive

- put in place so common substances that have been used for a long time without evidence of harm. are permitted

- just because it is safe to use in one food does not make it safe to use in another

- lack of evidence of being unsafe does not prove safety

Prior-sanctioned substances

additives that were in-use before september 1958 became grandfathered in (no fomrla list)

Sucrose

- table sugar

- glucose and fructose

- from sugar cane and sugar beet

Table sugar

we get 50% of sucrose from sugar can and 50% from sugar beet

High fructose corn syrup (HFCS)

- market form of syrup

- HFCS has advantages over sucrose because it is sweeter and cheaper

- HFCS-43 -> 42% fructose

- HFCS-55 -> 55% fructose

- HFCS-90 -> 90% fructose

Glucose isomerase

enzyme that turns glucose into fructose

Cyclamates

- intense, non-nutritive sweetener

- banned in U.S., permitted in Canada

Saccharin

- intense, non-nutritive sweetener

- permitted in U.S., banned in Canada

- was thought to be injurious to health and was removed from the federalist of known carcinogens

Neotame

- intense, non-nutritive sweetener

- PKU not a concern

Rebiana aka Truvia

- intense, non-nutritive sweetener

- natural sweetener from stevia plant

Phenylketonuria (PKU)

- rare genetic disorder causes a build-up of the amino acid, phenylalanine

- leads to cognitive impairment

- Guthrie Test

Endosperm

part of the cereal grain that stores about 80% starch and 20% protein, source of flour and starch

Gelatinization

- the process of starches absorbing water

- requires heat

- very fast (10s)

Pesticide treatments

from 1996 to 2020, global biotech crops reduced pesticide usage 7.2%

Organic crops

becoming inferior to biotech crops due to lower nutrient content and safety

Precautionary principle

products should not be approved for consumption without 70 years of testing to "guarantee" safety

Opportunity cost

- the loss of potential gain from other alternatives when one alternative is chosen

- implementation of the PP affects public health, animal welfare, and climate change by delaying needed technological advances

Golden Rice

- contains increased levels of beta carotene (converted to vitamin A in the body) plus higher iron

- vitamin A deficiency affects 180-250 million children, with 1-2 million deaths annually

- in 2024 a Philippine Court of Appeals banned golden Rice, Greenpeace brought the lawsuit

American Chestnut Blight

- "redwoods of the East"

- occurred when a fungal (Cryphonectria parasiticus) blight from Asia spread from NY

Gums

- most are natural products

- little or no flavor or masking

- little or no caloric impact

- do not require heat for processing

- very safe

- added for texture

Migrating compounds

- compounds that migrate from packaging into foods

- BPA (used to harden plastics for clearer appearance, and in cans)

- regulated as food additives (indirect)

Color Additive Amendment (1960)

prohibited or improper use of unlisted color additive may cause a product to be adulterated

Red No. 3

two studies showed cancer in lab rates exposed to Red No. 3 due to rat specific hormonal mechanism, this mechanism does not occur is humans

Carmine

- aka carminic acid or Natural Red No. 4

- comes from cochineal bugs when the female eat the red buds of cactus which concentrates the red pigment

Bug parts in food

- certain levels of bug parts are allowed in foods

- 100g broccoli allows up to 60 aphids

- 50g cinnamon allows up to 400 insect parts