Benders'dictionary of nutrition and food technology

175the amino acid tryptophan, as a result of which tryptophan supplementswere withdrawn in most countries. Subsequently shownto be associated mainly (or perhaps solely) with contaminationof a single batch of tryptophan from one manufacturer with ethylidenebis-tryptophan, but doubts remain about the safety oftryptophan supplements.EPA Eicosapentaenoic acid, a long-chain polyunsaturated fattyacid (C20:5 ω3). See fish oils.epazote Herb (Chenopodium ambriosiodes) used in Mexicancooking and to make a herb tea. Also known as Mexican tea,wormseed, goosefoot, pigweed, Jerusalem oak.Composition/100 g: water 89 g, 134 kJ (32 kcal), protein 0.3 g, fat0.5g, carbohydrate 7.4g, fibre 3.8g, ash 2.5g, Ca 275mg, Fe1.9 mg, Mg 121 mg, P 86 mg, K 633 mg, Na 43 mg, Zn 1.1 mg, Cu0.2mg, Mn 3.1mg, Se 0.9µg, vitamin A 3µg RE (38µgcarotenoids), B 1 0.03 mg, B 2 0.35 mg, niacin 0.6 mg, B 6 0.15 mg,folate 215 µg, pantothenate 0.2 mg, C 4 mg.epicarp See flavedo.epidemic Sudden outbreak of a disease affecting a large numberof people.epidemiology The study of patterns of diseases and their causativeagents in a population.epigenetics The study of the processes involved in the developmentof an organism, including gene silencing during tissue diferentiation.Also the study of heritable changes in gene functionthat occur without a change in the sequence of DNA – the wayin which environmental factors (including nutrition) affecting aparent can result in changes in the way genes are expressed inthe offspring.See also cpg islands; programming.epinephrine See adrenaline.epiphysis The end of a long bone; it develops separately from theshaft (diaphysis) and later undergoes fusion to form the completebone. This fusion is impaired in rickets.Epogam TM A preparation of γ-linolenic acid, for treatment ofeczema.Epopa TM Mixed plant and fish oils, rich in ω3 and ω6 polyunsaturatedfatty acids.EPSL Edible protective superficial coating.Epsom salts Magnesium sulphate, originally found in a mineralspring in Epsom, Surrey, UK; acts as a laxative because theosmotic pressure of the solution causes it to retain water inthe intestine and so increase the bulk and moisture content ofthe faeces.Equal TM See aspartame.