Benders'dictionary of nutrition and food technology

152diabetic foods Loose term for foods that are specially formulatedto be suitable for consumption by people with diabetes mellitus;generally low in sugars, and frequently containing sorbitol,xylulose or sugar derivatives that are slowly or incompletelyabsorbed.diacetyl Acetyl methyl carbonyl (CH 3 ⋅CO⋅CO⋅CH 3 ), the mainflavour in butter, formed during the ripening stage by the organismStreptococcus lactis cremoris. Synthetic diacetyl is added tomargarine as ‘butter flavour’.diafiltration Dilution of the concentrate during reverse osmosis(see osmosis, reverse) or ultrafiltration, to improve the recoveryof solutes.dialysis A process for separating low MW solutes (e.g. salts andsugars) from larger ones (e.g. proteins) in solution. Small moleculescan pass through a semipermeable membrane, while largemolecules cannot. The membrane may be natural, such as pigbladder, or artificial, such as cellulose derivatives or collodion.diaminopimelic acid Intermediate in synthesis of lysine in bacteria;also important in sporulating bacteria for formation of sporecoat. M r 190.2, pK a 1.8, 2.2, 8.8, 9.9.diaphysis The shaft of a long bone.See also epiphysis; metaphysis.diarrhoea Frequent passage of loose watery stools, commonly theresult of intestinal infection; rarely as a result of adverse reactionto foods or disaccharide intolerance. Severe diarrhoeain children can lead to dehydration and death; it is treated byfeeding a solution of salt and sugar to replace fluid and electrolytelosses.Osmotic diarrhoea is associated with retention of water inthe bowel as a result of an accumulation of nonabsorbablewater-soluble compounds; especially associated with excessiveintake of sorbitol and mannitol. Also occurs in disaccharideintolerance.See also antimotility agents.diastase See amylases.diastatic activity A measure of the ability of flour to producemaltose from its own starch by the action of its own amylase(diastase).This sugar is needed for the growth of the yeast duringfermentation.See also amylograph.diazoxide 7-Chloro-3-methyl-1,2,4-benzothiadiazone 1,1-dioxide,used in treatment of chronic hypoglycaemia associated withexcessive secretion of insulin due to pancreatic β-islet cellhyperplasia or cancer.