FST Final Part 1 – Food Science & Technology (Cumulative Exam Review Guide)
What benefits do natural toxins play in the plant world? - correct answer ✔✔They are a defense
against predation
What plants are associated with: Cucurbitacin’s? Oxalic acid? Glycoalkaloids? Furocoumarins? -
correct answer ✔✔Cucurbitacin
- Family of complex toxins - natural fungicides produced by cucurbitacin’s in response to stress
- These substances are intensely bitter. A cucumber with toxic levels of cucurbitacin’s would be
unpalatable
- This toxin are natural fungicides, helps with the cucumber free from fungis, and are produced
due to stress in the plant's growing environment
Oxalic acid
- Found in rhubarb
- Leaves have very high levels
- Oxalate binds Ca2+ can lead to imbalance in cells and cell death
- At high levels oxalic acid is neurotoxic
Glycoalkaloids
- Structurally complex alkaloids produced by the nightshade family
- Potatoes left in light will produce alkaloids "solanine" (this is why you can't eat green potatoes)
Furocoumarins
- Present in members of the Umbelliferae family of plants
- Ex: carrots, parsnip, parsley, coriander, and angelica. Fungicides. Photo activated carcinogens.
Produced when plant is damaged
Why are organic parsnips more likely to contain psoralens? - correct answer ✔✔They are more
likely to contain psoralens because of carcinogens that they contain
, How do liver enzymes act to produce carcinogens? - correct answer ✔✔If something like a field
mushroom is digested then the agaritine in the liver created carcinogen (Or the 4-Hydroxy-
benzenediazonium ion HCBD+ that is carcinogen)
What benefits do eating the following have: garlic, chives, red peppers? - correct answer
✔✔They have health benefits.
Garlic: contains allyl disulphide which is credited with many beneficial health benefits
Chives: contain chemicals with sulphydryl groups which are powerful antioxidants
Chilli Pepper: contains capsaicin an irritant
What is eugenol? Elemicin? Phasin? - correct answer ✔✔Eugenol
- Cloves , imparts a characteristic taste. It is also an anaesthetic
Elemicin
- In nutmeg, is a hallucinogen
Phasin
- Is a phytohaemaglutinin found in red kidney beans, this chemical can cause blood clotting. It is
also a protein, can be destroyed by proper heating
What is aflatoxin? What plant is it associated with and what illness can it cause? - correct
answer ✔✔- Produced by Aspergillus flavus
- Carcinogen
- Mold associated with nuts and grains
What is patulin? What plant is it associated with and what illness can it cause? - correct answer
✔✔- Penicillium expansum
- Grows on rotting apples and pears
- Substandard fruit is often made into juice or apple sauce
- Potential carcinogen
What benefits do natural toxins play in the plant world? - correct answer ✔✔They are a defense
against predation
What plants are associated with: Cucurbitacin’s? Oxalic acid? Glycoalkaloids? Furocoumarins? -
correct answer ✔✔Cucurbitacin
- Family of complex toxins - natural fungicides produced by cucurbitacin’s in response to stress
- These substances are intensely bitter. A cucumber with toxic levels of cucurbitacin’s would be
unpalatable
- This toxin are natural fungicides, helps with the cucumber free from fungis, and are produced
due to stress in the plant's growing environment
Oxalic acid
- Found in rhubarb
- Leaves have very high levels
- Oxalate binds Ca2+ can lead to imbalance in cells and cell death
- At high levels oxalic acid is neurotoxic
Glycoalkaloids
- Structurally complex alkaloids produced by the nightshade family
- Potatoes left in light will produce alkaloids "solanine" (this is why you can't eat green potatoes)
Furocoumarins
- Present in members of the Umbelliferae family of plants
- Ex: carrots, parsnip, parsley, coriander, and angelica. Fungicides. Photo activated carcinogens.
Produced when plant is damaged
Why are organic parsnips more likely to contain psoralens? - correct answer ✔✔They are more
likely to contain psoralens because of carcinogens that they contain
, How do liver enzymes act to produce carcinogens? - correct answer ✔✔If something like a field
mushroom is digested then the agaritine in the liver created carcinogen (Or the 4-Hydroxy-
benzenediazonium ion HCBD+ that is carcinogen)
What benefits do eating the following have: garlic, chives, red peppers? - correct answer
✔✔They have health benefits.
Garlic: contains allyl disulphide which is credited with many beneficial health benefits
Chives: contain chemicals with sulphydryl groups which are powerful antioxidants
Chilli Pepper: contains capsaicin an irritant
What is eugenol? Elemicin? Phasin? - correct answer ✔✔Eugenol
- Cloves , imparts a characteristic taste. It is also an anaesthetic
Elemicin
- In nutmeg, is a hallucinogen
Phasin
- Is a phytohaemaglutinin found in red kidney beans, this chemical can cause blood clotting. It is
also a protein, can be destroyed by proper heating
What is aflatoxin? What plant is it associated with and what illness can it cause? - correct
answer ✔✔- Produced by Aspergillus flavus
- Carcinogen
- Mold associated with nuts and grains
What is patulin? What plant is it associated with and what illness can it cause? - correct answer
✔✔- Penicillium expansum
- Grows on rotting apples and pears
- Substandard fruit is often made into juice or apple sauce
- Potential carcinogen
