Understanding the chemical properties of a food substance can greatly improve the quality of the product being made. A chemical property is a characteristic of a substance that allows it to change form within a reaction. Once sucrose undergoes a...
Quinine is an alkaloid, or nitrogen-containing, molecule that is naturally produced by the bark of the cinchona tree, native to South America. It was the first pharmaceutical treatment for malaria, a mosquito-spread, life-threatening blood disease...
Tylenol is a brand name for the generic pharmaceutical called paracetamol or acetaminophen. It falls under the pharmacological class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, along with other familiar compounds including ibuprofen,...
Cholesterol is a four-ringed molecule. It is classified as a lipid, which means it is fat-soluble like oils, fats and the vitamins A, D, E and K. This is opposed to water-soluble molecules. Cholesterol is synthesized by the body and required for...
Leucine is one of the amino acids, which are the building blocks of protein. In general terms, you use the amino acids -- leucine included -- to provide your cells with energy and to build new cellular proteins. They can also be used to make...
Essential oils are substances that are highly aromatic, with a complex chemical structure. Essential oils are plant-based and found in the stems, bark, leaves and flowers of 10 percent of all plants. These oils can affect people physically,...
People use kojic acid as a skin bleaching agent. When applied to your skin, it decreases the amount of pigment that your skin produces. Less pigment in your skin means that it will be lighter. Like any chemical, kojic acid has unique properties...
Testosterone is a steroid hormone secreted by the testes in response to hormones released by parts of the brain. It's responsible for male sexual behavior, sperm development, and secondary sex characteristics including muscle growth. As a...
Glycolic acid is a chemical that falls into the larger class of compounds called glycols. Just as there are many different kinds of alcohols---another large compound class, including such molecules as ethanol (drinking alcohol), methanol (wood...
The popularity of hand sanitizer has increased in recent years as a result of virus outbreaks such as H1N1 flu. Formerly, hand sanitizer was used mostly in clinical and food service settings, as an adjunct to soap and water. Pandemic information...
You may know it as sal soda or washing soda, but the chemical name for this compound is sodium carbonate. Discovered in 1791 by a French chemist, Nicholas LeBlanc, the compound became patented after a series of combinations of salt, sulfuric acid,...
A versatile liquid listed as safe for human consumption by the Food and Drug Administration, glycerine is viscous, colorless, and has a slightly sweet taste. Food and drug makers use it in everything from candies to toothpaste. It can both...
Tofu is a food product made from soy bean curd. This versatile dietary ingredient is a common element in many Asian foods. Tofu comes in a variety of textures, ranging from soft to extra firm, depending on the processing technique and the amount...
Grapefruit seed extract products may promote healing in wounds, possibly preventing scars. It's not likely that they'll eliminate already-formed scars. Grapefruit seed extract contains the seeds and pulp of a juiced grapefruit. Many grapefruit...
Apple cider vinegar is a popular natural supplement used for many conditions. It is made by fermenting pulverized apples. The breakdown of sugars by bacteria and yeast forms alcohol, and if the alcohol is allowed to ferment further, then vinegar...
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a cardiovascular disorder that may raise your risk for heart disease and stroke. It develops when resistance to blood flow in your cardiovascular system is too high, increasing the force of your blood...
Nilgiri oil, also known as eucalyptus oil, is an ingredient often used in over-the-counter cold remedies and cough syrups. Many people use eucalyptus as a treatment for relieving congestion due to colds, flu, sinusitis and bronchitis. Cold...
Perfumists, aromatherapists, and individuals interested in home remedies may be intrigued by sweet clementine oil, which is a thin oil with a vibrant citrus smell. The oil, which is cold-extracted in Italy, is used to treat both fatigue and...
Sometimes knowing your ingredients means knowing the many names under which they masquerade. Potassium metabisulfite and sodium metabisulfite are often lumped together under the ambiguous name "sulfites." Potassium metabisulfite is also known as...
More than 90 percent of households in the U.S. are equipped with a microwave oven, which converts electricity into an electromagnetic field to cook your food. Seasoned chefs know that the microwave ovens can save you time and be helpful in...
Bursitis occurs when the fluid filled sacs -- officially known as bursa -- that protect your muscles and tendons become inflamed. Repetitive motions, strenuous activities or other chronic conditions can cause bursitis. Although bursitis will...
Your ear is divided into three sections, the inner, middle and external regions. Ear infections develop most often in the middle ear, a condition called otitis media, and are more common in children than adults. Willow bark and garlic are two...
The distribution coefficient of caffeine describes how it dissolves when it's added to two unmixable solvents. Solvents with different chemical properties, such as water and methylene chloride, won't mix together. When they're combined, they form...
Sodium acetate trihydrate is a hydrated, meaning water-containing, salt compound commonly used both industrially and in home chemical applications. The salt is derived from vinegar, and as such, has a vinegar-like taste and smell. It can be easily...
Blood chemistry is defined as the sum of the substances, and the reactions that occur, in the blood. Human blood is made up of several chemical compounds and cells all dissolved or suspended in water. Acids, bases, proteins, salts and many other...
Breast cancer occurs when a specific group of cells inside of your breast begin to grow out of control and collect in the breast lobules. The accumulated cancerous cells develop into tumors. Once the cancerous cells have developed into tumors,...
Calcium D-glucarate is a form of D-glucaric acid that is bound to calcium to form a salt. D-glucaric acid is a naturally occurring chemical present in many types of fruits and vegetables, including apples, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, bean sprouts...
Weight loss comes down to burning more calories than you eat to create a calorie deficit. Several weight loss products market aloe vera as a supplement to aid in fast weight loss. Little scientific evidence is available to support these claims....
Propylene glycol is a small, carbon-based molecule that is in the alcohol family, along with the more familiar compounds ethanol (drinking alcohol) and isopropyl (rubbing alcohol). It's perhaps most similar of all to the antifreeze compound...
