Benders'dictionary of nutrition and food technology

449Sta-Slim TM fat replacer made from starch.statins A family of related compounds (lovastatin, pravastatin,simvastatin) used to treat hypercholesterolaemia. They act byinhibiting hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductase (hmg coareductase, EC 1.1.1.34), the first and rate-limiting enzyme ofcholesterol synthesis.steam baking An even temperature is maintained in the oven bymeans of closed pipes through which steam circulates. It is sometimeserroneously assumed that the bread is baked in steam.steam distillation Process for removal of volatile components bypassing steam through the heated mixture, followed by condensationof the steam and volatiles. May be used either to purifya volatile compound such as an essential oil or to removeundesirable flavours from oils and fats.steam economy In evaporation of liquids, the amount of steamrequired to evaporate 1 kg of water.steapsin Obsolete name for lipase.stearic acid Saturated fatty acid with 18 carbon atoms (C18:0);present in most animal and vegetable fats.stearyl citrate Ester of stearyl alcohol and citric acid, used tochelate metal ions that might otherwise cause rancidity in oils.steatohepatitis Fatty infiltration of the liver.steatopygia Accumulation of large amounts of fat on thebuttocks.steatorrhoea Faeces containing a large amount of fat (>5g/day),and generally foul smelling. Characteristic of coeliac disease,and may also be due to fat malabsorption as a result of lack ofbile or intestinal lipase.Treatment by feeding low-fat diet.steatosis Fatty infiltration of the liver; occurs in protein–energymalnutrition and alcoholism.steely hair syndrome See menkes syndrome.steep The process of leaving a food to stand in water, either tosoften it or to extract its flavour and colour. Also the preparationof fruit liqueurs by steeping fruit in spirit.Stellar TM fat replacer made from starch.stenosis Abnormal narrowing of blood vessels or heart valves.stercobilin One of the brown pigments of the faeces; formed fromthe bile pigments, which, in turn, are formed as breakdownproducts of haemoglobin.stercolith Stone formed of dried compressed faeces.sterculia A bulk-forming laxative. See karaya gum.stereoisomerism See isomers.sterigmatocystin A mycotoxin.sterile Free from all micro-organisms, bacteria, moulds and yeasts.When foods are sterilised, as in canning, they are preserved