Category: E

  • Enzymatic oxidation

    Enzyme-mediated oxidative degradation of a substance.  

  • Entropy

    The randomness or disorder of a system. Degree of randomness, chaos, or disorder in any system; chemically, energy in a system that is not available to perform mechanical work, but may be used internally. The portion of energy within a system that cannot be used for mechanical work but is available for internal use.  

  • Enthalpy

    The thermodynamic function of a system equivalent to the internal energy plus the product of pressure and volume. The heat content of a system, that is, the internal energy of the system plus the product of its pressure and volume. It may be represented symbolically by the equation H = U + PV, where U…

  • Enterostatin

    A blood-borne factor that signals satiety.  

  • Enteroglucagon

    Also called glicentin; a 69-amino acid hormone related to pancreatic glucagon. It is synthesized by the mucosal L cells. May serve as a trophic factor for the intestinal mucosa.  

  • Enterochromaffin cells

    Cells present in the gastrointestinal tract that secrete hormones that in turn affect gastrointestinal function. Some of these hormones may also have effects on the regulation of food intake.  

  • Enriched food

    Food product in which micronutrients such as iron or the B vitamins have been added. A processed food that has lost nutrients during milling, grinding, pasteurization or other processes, and then had those nutrients added back to the marketed product. Two examples of vitamins commonly used in food enrichment are vitamins B1 and B2, thiamine…

  • Enhancer element

    A cis-acting base sequence that binds one or more promoters. It can function in either orientation and in any location (upstream or downstream) relative to the promoter region.  

  • Engineered foods

    Foods designed by food scientists for specific purposes. These foods have specific properties and functions; they may have more fiber or less salt and/or less fat and/or unusual ingredients that are used as substitutes for usual ingredients.  

  • Energy-protein malnutrition

    Protein-energy malnutrition (PEM or PCM). A condition in which the intake of macronutrients is inadequate. The needs for the essential nutrients and energy are determined by the age and health status of the individual. Rapid growth, infection, injury, and chronic debilitating disease can drive up the need for food and the nutrients it contains. It…