Benders'dictionary of nutrition and food technology

28anise, star A spice, the seeds of Illicium verum, widely used inChinese cooking. Distinct from aniseed.annatto (anatto) Also known as bixin, butter colour or rocou; ayellow colouring (E-160b) extracted from the pericarp of thefruit of the tropical shrub Bixa orellana.The main component isthe carotenoid bixin, which is fat-soluble. It is used to colourcheese, dairy produce and baked goods. The seeds are used forflavouring in Caribbean foods.annealing Heating to control the ductility of a material.anomers A pair of stereo-isomers related in the same way as α-and β-glucose are related to one another.anona See custard apple.anorectic drugs (anorexigenic drugs) Drugs that depress theappetite, used as an aid to weight reduction. Diethylpropion, fenfluramine(and dexfenfluramine), phenmetrazine hydrochlorideand mazindol have been used, but are no longer recommended.amphetamines were used at one time, but are addictive andsubject to special control.anorexia Lack of appetite.anorexia nervosa A psychological disturbance resulting in arefusal to eat, possibly with restriction to a very limited range offoods, and often accompanied by a rigid programme of vigorousphysical exercise, to the point of exhaustion. Anorectic subjectsgenerally do not feel sensations of hunger. The result is a veryconsiderable loss of weight, with tissue atrophy and a fall inbasal metabolic rate. It is especially prevalent among adolescentgirls; when body weight falls below about 45 kg there is acessation of menstruation as a result of low secretion of leptinfrom the low reserves of adipose tissue.See also bulimia nervosa.anosmia Lack or impairment of the sense of smell.anserine A dipeptide of β-alanine and 3-methylhistidine foundin muscle, of unknown function.Antabuse TM The drug disulfiram (tetraethyl thiuramdisulphide),used in the treatment of alcoholism. It inhibits the furthermetabolism of acetaldehyde arising from the metabolism ofalcohol, and so causes headache, nausea, vomiting and palpitationsif alcohol is consumed.antacids Alkalis or buffers that neutralise acids, used generallyto counteract excessive gastric acidity and treat indigestion.Antacid preparations generally contain such compounds assodium bicarbonate, aluminium hydroxide, magnesium carbonateor magnesium hydroxide.anthelmintic Drugs used to treat infestation with parasitic worms(helminths).See also flukes; hookworm; tapeworm.