Growing Loquats
Loquats are an edible exotic in many countries. If you are fortunate to have a sunny south-facing wall, a sheltered courtyard or a greenhouse then […]
FOOD AND DRINK
Resistant Starch And Gut Health
Starch is possibly the most important source of energy for feeding the world’s population. There isn’t a culture that developed to any extent without the […]
The Western Blotting Technique For Protein Analysis
Western blotting or immune blotting as it might often be known is a real workhorse of the protein analysis world. It is probably the principal […]
Dementia Might Actually Be Reduced By Drinking Some Alcohol In Middle Age
Every so often a piece of research is reported comes along which sets tongues wagging because it flies in the face of accepted wisdom. The […]
What Do We Know About Pea Flavour
Flavour in legumes is highly subjective but it is fair to say that most of the volatile compounds in peas (Pisum sativum) as in any […]
What Is Dietary Fibre (Dietary Fiber) All About?
Dietary fibre is one of the most important nutritional features of food. Its importance has risen over the years for a number of reasons:- Disorders […]
Theophylline
A compound that sometimes gets mentioned in the same breath as theobromine and caffeine is theophylline. It is chemically known as 1,3-dimethylxanthine and is a […]
Electrospun Fibres For Food
Encapsulation for the food and pharmaceutical industries has been with us for many years – new immobilization methods, new carrier materials and different methods for […]
The Benefits Of Red Peppers
The red pepper known as paprika (Capsicum annuum L.) is a very colourful vegetable which rivals the tomato for vividness and hue in its red colour. […]
Eucommia ulmoides (Du Zhong)
Du Zhong (Eucommia ulmoides Oliver) is an important medicinal plant found in China. It is the only member of the genus Eucommia and is found […]
The Benefits Of Common Chicory (Endive)
Common chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) is herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. It has spread all over the world and is especially common in temperate […]
Cabernet Sauvignon: Origins, Characteristics, and Production
Cabernet Sauvignon, often referred to as the “king of red wines,” is one of the most renowned and widely planted grape varieties in the world. […]
Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) in Food
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavor enhancer commonly added to food. Its use has been both celebrated for its umami taste and criticized due to […]
Lanolin Is That Key Ingredient In Skin Lotions
Lanolin is a common ingredient of skin products and an important one for helping to keep skin free of bacteria and fungi. In skin lotions […]
Harungana
Harungana might not be an ingredient on everybody’s lips but it might be something you see in your skin creams. It is claimed to ‘redensify […]
Camphor And Camphor Oil
Camphor oil is an important commodity for many people. The Chinese especially use it for particularly medicinal purposes. Properties The therapeutic properties of camphor oil […]
The Shiitake Mushroom
The shiitake [Lentinula edodes or Lentinus edodes] mushroom is one of the most popular edible mushrooms in China and other parts of East Asia. It is […]
The Asian Pear (Pyrus pyrifolia)
If you are fortunate enough to be offered a russett looking pear in Asia, it will no doubt me a sign of honour to the […]
Determining Moisture Content In Foods
Knowing how much moisture or water in a food is a critical value with ramifications for food testing, preservation and safety, and quality. Moisture content […]
Aristolochic Acids In Some Herbal Medicines Capable Of Causing Liver Cancers As Well As Kidney Cancers
Not all Chinese medicinal herbs are safe. One group in particular causes serious kidney diseases and cancers due to a series of compounds found in […]