starch /oss/taxonomy/term/1916/all en Sweet Potatoes and Some Sweet Chemistry  /oss/article/nutrition-environment/sweet-potatoes-and-some-sweet-chemistry <p>In November 2019, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-53946-0">a study</a> published in <em>Scientific Reports </em>showed a fascinating defense mechanism possessed by a certain variety of sweet potato named TN 57, which was known to be much more resistant to pests than other strains. Researchers found that when one of the plant’s leaves is attacked by insects, or damaged in any other way, it releases a strong odour that serves to alert the rest of the affected plant’s leaves, as well as those of neighbouring plants, that danger is nearby.</p> Fri, 11 Sep 2020 16:25:30 +0000 Caitlin Bard, OSS Intern 8402 at /oss Can one rotten apple really spoil the whole barrel? /oss/article/nutrition-you-asked/can-one-rotten-apple-really-spoil-whole-barrel <p>Is there any truth to the expression, "one rotten apple spoils the whole barrel"? You bet. Because once an apple is rotten or has physical damage, (ie a bruise), it produces ethylene, which in turn leads to a slightly increased internal temperature causing a breakdown of chlorophyll and the synthesis of other pigments. The starch in the fruit is converted to simple sugars and at the same time, pectin, a component of fiber that cements the cell walls together, begins to disintegrate thereby softening the tissue.</p> Tue, 03 Dec 2019 20:49:43 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8026 at /oss The Right Chemistry: the benefits of a high-fibre diet /oss/article/health-nutrition-videos/right-chemistry-benefits-high-fibre-diet <p><div class="media-youtube-video media-element file-default media-youtube-1"> <iframe class="media-youtube-player" id="media-youtube-e7e7ix1el-g" width="640" height="390" title="Dr. Joe Schwarcz on the benefits of a high-fibre diet" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/E7e7ix1EL_g?wmode=opaque&controls=&enablejsapi=1&modestbranding=1&playerapiid=media-youtube-e7e7ix1el-g&origin=https%3A//www.mcgill.ca&rel=0" name="Dr. Joe Schwarcz on the benefits of a high-fibre diet" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>Video of Dr. Joe Schwarcz on the benefits of a high-fibre diet</iframe> </div> </p> Fri, 01 Feb 2019 15:25:30 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 7567 at /oss