Consumer chemistry

Module No. 1(Q3)

Chemistry in the kitchen

a. Essential nutrients

b. Food additives and preservatives

Essential nutrients

Food additives and preservatives

Specific Objectives
At the end of this module, learners are expected to:

1. Identify the nutrients present in a sample food packaging.

2. Compare and contrast the food additives present in the food
packaging from nutrients.
3. Give adverse effects of consuming foods with food additives.

Materials

• Sample food labels

• Consumer chemistry notebook
• Any General Chemistry book/ food science book

Lesson
As the old saying goes “It is you what you eat”. In today’s module, we
will explore a sample food label that you usually consumed the content. How
will you identify the essential nutrients needed by the body from the food

1
additives present in a food that we usually buy sealed on its packaging? Let’s
use a summary table to guide us in assessing food label at hand.

https://www.google.com/search?q=essential+nutrients+for+human+body&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwi70rf3zo7vAhUIHqYKHStMA8YQ2-
cCegQIABAA&oq=essential+nutrients+for+human+body&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQA1AAWABgoWtoAHAAeACAAQCIAQCSAQCYAQCqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZw&sclient=img&ei=zp08YL
uzFYi8mAWrmI2wDA&bih=625&biw=1366&rlz=1C1SQJL_enPH936PH938#imgrc=fNgoxAQU1aCEqM

Figure 16 shows six classes of nutrients

A nutrient is a chemical substance found in foods that is used in the human

body.

https://www.google.com/search?q=essential+nutrients+for+human+body&tbm=isch&ved=2ahUKEwi70rf3zo7vAhUIHqYKHStMA8YQ2-
cCegQIABAA&oq=essential+nutrients+for+human+body&gs_lcp=CgNpbWcQA1AAWABgoWtoAHAAeACAAQCIAQCSAQCYAQCqAQtnd3Mtd2l6LWltZw&sclient=img&ei=zp08YL
uzFYi8mAWrmI2wDA&bih=625&biw=1366&rlz=1C1SQJL_enPH936PH938#imgrc=n3bLzCkun87jWM

Figure 17 shows the nutritional content of a well-balanced diet and function of

each nutrient in our body.

These nutrients can be categorized into macronutrients and micronutrients.

Macronutrients are the nutrients your body needs in larger amounts, namely

2
carbohydrates, protein, and fat. These provide your body with energy, or
calories. Micronutrients are the nutrients your body needs in smaller amounts,
which are commonly referred to as vitamins and minerals. There are lots of
proposed balanced diet meal posted online that you may use, but in case of
health problems related to nutrition better consult your family physician first.

https://www.google.com/search?q=images+of+food+additives&rlz=1C1SQJL_enPH936PH938&sxsrf=ALeKk02eaqxBLx1Aq67gLSXUYKaBJ0Dohw:1614590492902&tbm=isch&sour
ce=iu&ictx=1&fir=sPKm1hY9-ab4vM%252CH5AmKQVf15nqfM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kSu67gpkz1cyOShdikHTqMB-
WBnhQ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiKzaWm4o7vAhUmE6YKHV4tBr0Q9QF6BAgKEAE&biw=1366&bih=625#imgrc=sPKm1hY9-ab4vM

Figure 18 shows sample food additives present in our favorite snacks

Food additive is any of various chemical compounds added to foods to make

specific desirable effects. Some additives are being used to improve colors and
consistency, prolong shelf life and enhance the flavor and taste of the food.
There are four general categories of food additives: nutritional additives,
processing agents, preservatives, and sensory agents. These are not strict
classifications, as many additives fall into more than one category.

Nutritional additives are used for the purpose of restoring nutrients lost or
degraded during production, fortifying or enriching certain foods in order to
correct dietary deficiencies, or adding nutrients to food substitutes.

Processing Agents
A number of agents are added to foods in order to aid in processing or to
maintain the desired consistency of the product.

3
https://www.britannica.com/topic/food-additive

Figure 19 Shows sample processing additives and their uses

Food preservatives are classified into two main groups: antioxidants and
antimicrobials. Antioxidants are compounds that delay or prevent the
deterioration of foods by oxidative mechanisms. Antimicrobial agents inhibit
the growth of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms in food.

4
https://www.britannica.com/topic/food-additive/Preservatives

Figure 20 Shows examples of antioxidants and antimicrobials

5
Sensory Agents
Color is an influential sensory characteristic of foods; it directly impacts the
appreciation of both the flavor and quality of a product. The handling out of
food can cause loss of natural pigments in the raw materials.

Natural Colorants are mostly extracted from plant tissues.

h https://www.britannica.com/topic/food-additive/Natural-colorants

Figure 21 Shows examples of natural food colorants

Synthetic colorants are water-soluble and are available commercially as

powders, pastes, granules, or solutions. Special preparations called lakes are
formulated by treating the colorants with aluminum hydroxide.

6
 https://www.britannica.com/topic/food-additive/Natural-colorants

Figure 22 Shows examples of synthetic food colorants

Flavourings

The flavour of food results from the stimulation of the chemical senses of taste
and smell by specific food molecules. Taste reception is carried out in
specialized cells located in the taste buds.

ps://www.britannica.com/topic/food-additive/Natural-colorants

EXERCISES

Directions:
Each food label will be examined and evaluated by each member in order to
complete the table below:

7
 It Pays to Read the Label
Food Nutrient Additive How often you Adverse
Label content content consume each Effect
product in a
week?

As the group presented the table, make sure to complete the frame below:

(Maybe considered as PETA/WW)

Closure:
The provided group activity will be done during consumer chemistry period
using google meet/zoom in a breakout room. The out-put of this activity will be
recorded as written work and performance task. Find time to read the entire
module and it will be easier for you. Thank you for your patience and
cooperation in this kind of learning set-up.

8
References
https://www.britannica.com/topic/food-additive#ref50529

Key to Correction

(Based on food sample label)

Food Nutrient Additive How often Adverse
Label content content you consume Effect
each product
in a week?
Tortilla Carbs MSG 2x a week allergies
chips
fats tartrazine

cynchq2@gmail.com

9
10