Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism

Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism is the study of nutrients and their metabolic functions. Biochemists have long been interested in the chemical composition of the food of animals. All animals require organic material in their diet, in addition to water and minerals. This organic matter must be sufficient in quantity to satisfy the caloric, or energy, requirements of the animals. Within certain limits, carbohydrate, fat, and protein may be used interchangeably for this purpose. In addition, however, animals have nutritional requirements for specific organic compounds. Certain essential fatty acids, about ten different amino acids (the so-called essential amino acids), and vitamins are required by many higher animals. The nutritional requirements of various species are similar but not necessarily identical; thus man and the guinea pig require vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, whereas the rat does not. Carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins are the major constituents of foods and serve as fuel molecules for the human body. The digestion (breaking down into smaller pieces) of these nutrients in the alimentary tract and the subsequent absorption (entry into the bloodstream) of the digestive end products make it possible for tissues and cells to transform the potential chemical energy of food into useful work. Metabolism is a term that is used to describe all chemical reactions involved in maintaining the living state of the cells and the organism. The book is expected to serve as a text book for the students of science, chemistry, food technology, biology etc. It is also expected to serve as a reference book for professionals working in the field.