Mendel Friedman

Containing 45 papers written by outstanding international authors from 14 countries, this three-volume compendium brings together the elements needed to understand the factors which influence the utilization of amino acids. The wide-ranging topics include descriptions of metabolic pathways and mechanisms of the biological utilization of amino acids, as well as factors that influence amino acid bioavailability in enteral and parenteral nutrition. The use of amino acids to improve the quality and safety of the diet is presented. Also discussed are amino acid precursors of biogenic amines and the role of amino acids in atherosclerosis, cancer, and immunity. Scientists from many disciplines will benefit from this broad overview.

Containing 45 papers written by outstanding international authors from 14 countries, this three-volume compendium brings together the elements needed to understand the factors which influence the utilization of amino acids. The wide-ranging topics include descriptions of metabolic pathways and mechanisms of the biological utilization of amino acids, as well as factors that influence amino acid bioavailability in enteral and parenteral nutrition. The use of amino acids to improve the quality and safety of the diet is presented. Also discussed are amino acid precursors of biogenic amines and the role of amino acids in atherosclerosis, cancer, and immunity. Scientists from many disciplines will benefit from this broad overview.

Containing 45 papers written by outstanding international authors from 14 countries, this three-volume compendium brings together the elements needed to understand the factors which influence the utilization of amino acids. The wide-ranging topics include descriptions of metabolic pathways and mechanisms of the biological utilization of amino acids, as well as factors that influence amino acid bioavailability in enteral and parenteral nutrition. The use of amino acids to improve the quality and safety of the diet is presented. Also discussed are amino acid precursors of biogenic amines and the role of amino acids in atherosclerosis, cancer, and immunity. Scientists from many disciplines will benefit from this broad overview.

The word crosslinking implies durable combination of usually large, distinct elements at specific places to create a new entity that has different properties as a result of the union. In the case of proteins, such crosslinking often results in important changes in chemical, physical, functional, nutritional, and biome­ dical properties, besides physical properties simply related to molecular size and shape. (Nucleic acids, carbohydrates~ glyco­ proteins, and other biopolymers are correspondingly affected.) Since proteins are ubiquitous, the consequences of their crosslin­ king are widespread and often profound. Scientists from many dis­ ciplines including organic chemistry, biochemistry, protein chemis­ try, food science, nutrition, radiation biology, pharmacology, physiology, medicine, and dentistry are, therefore, very much inte­ rested in protein crosslinking reactions and their implications. Because protein crosslinking encompasses so many disciplines, in organizing the Symposium on Nutritional and Biochemical Consequences of Protein Crosslinking sponsored by the Protein Subdivision of the Division of Agricultural and Food Chemistry of the American Chemical Society, I sought participants with the broadest possible range of interests, yet with a common concern for theoretical and practical aspects of protein crosslinking. An important function of a symposium is to catalyze progress by bringing together ideas and experiences needed for interaction among different, yet related disciplines. To my pleasant surprize, nearly everone invited came to San Francisco to participate.

Soybean protei ns are wi de 1 y used inhuman foods ina vari ety of forms, including baby formulas, flour, soy protein concentrates, soy protein isolates, soy sauces, textured soy fibers, and tofu. The presence of inhibitors of digestive enzymes in soy proteins impairs nutritional quality and possible safety of this impportant legume. Normal processing conditions based on the use of heat do not completely inactivate these inhibitors, so that residual amounts of plant protease inhibitors are consumed by animals and man. Inhibitors of digestive enzymes are present not only in legumes, such as soybeans, lima beans, and kidney beans, but also in nearly all plant foods, including cereals and potatoes, albeit in much smaller amounts. The antinutritional effects of inhibitors of proteolytic enzymes have been widely studied and can be ameliorated by processing and/or sulfur amino acid fortification. A more urgent concern is reports that rats fed diets containing even low levels of soybean-derived inhibitors, which are found in foods such as soy-based baby formulas, may develop over their lifespan pancreatic lesions leading eventually to neoplasia or tumor formation. On the other hand, recent stUdies suggest that certain enzyme inhibitors from plant foods may prevent cancer formation in other tissues. A key question, therefore, is whether inhibitors from plant foods constitute a human health hazard.

The word crosslinking implies durable combination of (usually large) distinct elements at specific places to create a new entity that has different properties as a result of the union. In the case of proteins, such crosslinking often results in important changes in chemical, functional, nutritional, and biomedical properties, besides physical properties simply related to molecular size and shape. (Nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and other biopolymers are correspondingly affected.) Since proteins are ubiquitous, the consequences of their crosslinking are widespread and often profound. Scientists from many disciplines including organic chemistry, bio­ chemistry, protein chemistry, food science, nutrition, radiation biology, pharmacology, physiology, medicine, and dentistry are, therefore, minutely interested in protein crosslinking reactions and their implications. Because protein crosslinking encompasses so many disciplines, in organizing the Symposium on Nutritional and Biochemical Conse­ quences of Protein Crosslinking sponsored by the Protein Subdivi­ sion of the Division of Agricultural and Food Chemistry of the American Chemical Society, I sought participants with the broadest possible range of interests, yet with a common concern for theore­ tical and practical aspects of protein crosslinking. An important function of a symposium is to catalyze progress by bringing together ideas and experiences needed for interaction among different, yet related disciplines. To my pleasant surprise, nearly everyone invited came to San Francisco to participate.

Naturally occurring antinutrients and food toxicants, and those formed during food processing, adversely affect the nutri­ tional quality and safety of foods. Because of the need to improve food quality and safety by plant breeding, fortification with appropriate nutrients, and processing methods, and because of the growing concern about possible direct relationships between diet and diseases, research is needed to: (1) evaluate the nutritive quality and safety of crops and fortified, supplemented, and processed foods; (2) define conditions that favor or minimize the formation of nutritionally antagonistic and toxic compounds in foods; and (3) define the toxicology, metabolism, and mechanisms of the action of food ingredients and their metabolites. As scientists interested in improving the safety of the food supply, we are challenged to respond to the general need for exploring: (1) possible adverse consequences of antinutrients and food toxicants; and (2) factors which contribute to the formation and inactivation of undesirable compounds in foods. Medical research offers an excellent analogy. Studies on causes and mechanisms of disease processes are nearly always accompanied by parallel studies on preventive measures and cures. Such an approach offers the greatest possible benefits to the public.