Handbook

This course introduces the basic chemistry and overall structure of the most important biological macromolecules. It includes study of enzyme catalysis, cellular architecture, intermediary metabolism (carbohydrates, amino acids, lipids, and nucleotides), and of special processes such as photosynthesis, biological oxidation, and energy production. Students are also introduced to biochemical genetics, the mechanism of protein synthesis, and ways in which biological systems react to their environment and regulate their own internal activities. This course benefits students and professionals in allied medical fields, biotechnology, dietetics, enology, forensic science, industrial/pharmaceutical purification, chemical engineering, and other fields requiring a broad understanding of biochemistry fundamentals.

Water: physical chemistry; water activity and molecular mobility. Carbohydrates: sugars; starch, gelatinisation, modification; hydrocolloids. Proteins: amino acids; protein formation using DNA templates, structure, functional properties, denaturation; Maillard reaction. Lipids: fatty acids; triglycerides, melting profile; lipolysis; oxidative rancidity. Enzymes: reaction categories; intermediary metabolism and metabolic pathways; respiration; enzyme kinetics; factors influencing enzyme reactions; denaturation; and specific enzymes (polyphenol oxidase, lipase, lipoxygenase, polygalacturonase). Animal and plant cell structure and multiplication. Microbiology: overview of micro-organisms important for food production, spoilage, pathogenicity; kinetics of microbial growth and destruction.  

Requisite knowledge and relationships to other courses  Assumed knowledge: At least one subject in inorganic and one in organic chemistry This course is a prerequisite for FOOD8010 Food Preservation and FOOD8230 Food Microbiology. This subject may be taken concurrently with the subjects it services. There will be opportunity for students to discuss concepts from those other subjects.

This subject is NOT available to students in the Food Science and Technology Program 3060.

This subject is not suitable for students who have studied Biochemistry.

Textbooks:

Owen R. Fennema (1996), Food Chemistry, Marcel Dekker, Inc. New York. M.R. Adams and M.O. Moses (1995). Food Microbiology, The royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge.

Recommended Texts: Campbell-Platt Geoffrey (2007) Textbook of Food Science and Technology.