Benders'dictionary of nutrition and food technology

16allergen A compound, commonly a protein, which causes the productionof antibodies, and hence an allergic reaction.See also adverse reactions to foods; allergy.allergy Often used indiscriminately to cover a number of adversereactions to food, true allergy is an immune response to afood leading to the formation of immunoglobulin E (IgE) whichresults in the release of histamine and leucotrienes, among othersubstances, into the tissues. They are released from mast cells ineyes, skin, respiratory system and intestinal system. Allergyrequires an initial sensitisation; reactions may range from relativelyshort-lived discomfort to anaphylactic shock, which can befatal.Over 170 foods have been shown to cause allergic reactions.The main serious food allergens include milk and eggs (andtheir products), wheat, soya, nuts, shellfish and fruits, and also,to a lesser extent, sunflower and cottonseeds, molluscs andcertain beans. Allergens are usually active in extremelysmall amounts so that contamination from offending foodstuffscan result from traces left on processing machinery andutensils.allicin A sulphur-containing compound (diallyl thiosulphinate;thio-2-propene-l-sulfinic acid-5-allyl ester), partially responsiblefor the flavour of garlic. Formed by the action of allinase onalliin (S-(2-propenyl)-l-cysteine sulphoxide) when the cells aredisrupted, releasing the enzyme to act on the substrate. Hasantibacterial properties.alligator pear See avocado.alliin, alliinase See allicin.Allinson bread A wholewheat bread named after Allinson, whoadvocated its consumption in England at the end of the 19thcentury, as did Graham in the USA (hence graham bread). Nowtrade name for a wholemeal loaf.Allkream TM fat replacer made from protein.alloisoleucine Isomer of isoleucine.allolactose Isomer of lactose, β1,6-galactosyl-glucose.allotriophagy An unnatural desire for abnormal foods; alsoknown as cissa, cittosis and pica.alloxan Pyrimidine derivative used experimentally to induceinsulin-dependent diabetes mellitus; specifically cytotoxic toβ-cells of the pancreatic islets of Langerhans, which secreteinsulin. Now largely superseded by streptozotocin.alloxazine The tricyclic structure that is the central part of themolecule of riboflavin (vitamin b 2 ).allspice Dried fruits of the evergreen plant Pimenta officinalis,also known as pimento (as distinct from pimiento) or Jamaican