Poisonuos flour – Myth Vs Fact Part 2

Myth: The flour is empty of nutrition after the bleaching process

Fact: Flour manufacturing process does diminish essential nutrients of flour such as Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin and Folic Acid (Vitamin B)

Reality: The diminishing of Vitamin B is due to the process itself and not due to the bleaching.

Myth: Vitamin B are synthesized from pork

Frankly I have little trouble to find any facts to suggest vitamin B are synthesized from pork. It is undeniable pork contain high amounts of Thiamine, but that is it, other nutrition such as Riboflavin, Niacin and Folic Acid can be found in other poultry or plants at much higher levels. The idea of using poultry to extract the vitamin though sounds a bit futile. Pork, for instance, has around 1.1 mg per 100g of B1. Processing the meat will lose the vitamin similar to wheat flour manufacturing. Vitamins are manufactured either chemically or fermentation. For instance Riboflavin is manufactured to industrial scale using microorganism such as Candida famata and Candida Flaveri. As such the idea of using pork to produce Vitamin B does not make sense.

Myth: Bleached wheat flour may induced diabetes chemically

Similar with myth above, I find myself to be constrained and unable to explain this particular issue with much clarity. Let’s just discuss this issue one at time. The aforementioned chemicals that can induce diabetes, which may be found in wheat flour, are alloxan. Alloxan is oxidized product of uric acid. Uric acid oxidization results in formation of Allantoin or Alloxan, depending on the pH. Generally, uric acid oxidation with Nitric Acid, Chlorine or Iodine produces Alloxan. The point I am trying to make here is not to argue that there is no Alloxan in wheat flour, what I am seeing is that Benzoyl Peroxide has been carrying the blame when in fact it was the use of chlorine oxide as maturing/bleaching that oxidizes uric acid into alloxan. Not that I am insinuating there is a highly dangerous level of Alloxan in flour.

Alloxan is chemical used to induce diabetes in lab rats. The protocol for using alloxan to chemically induced diabetes are roughly as follows; Alloxan (70-90mg/kg) with Streptozotocin (200-400mg/kg) through injection (Either i.v or i.p). Obviously the amounts used are relatively higher than that would be found in bread. I do realize that there might be room for argument on the accumulative effect of Alloxan, frankly I am not proficient in reading material that are too technical. I am inclined to believe; from my understanding, there is evidence that suggest alloxan induced diabetes wills in turn causes formation of Reactive Oxygenated Species (ROS), and this does accumulates in human body. However, the very fact I could not grasp the idea in its entirety does bug me. If there are readers out there that do read this note in entirety and willing to enlighten me on this matter, please do.

Nevertheless, I stand by on my findings that Benzoyl Peroxide does not directly responsible for any ruckus that has been going on. There are other chemical used in manufacturing plant for various items for years even decade goes unnoticed, but that does not mean every chemical used in manufacturing process is harmful. Apart from that, there might be some merit on matter pertaining to diabetes induction; however, I could not be entirely sure on that matter. Lastly, there is no pork or ham produced parts involved in manufacturing of flour.

Reference

1) http://www.saw-leipzig.de/forschung/projekte/zeitstrukturen-endokriner-systeme/endokrinologieiii/endo_07-lenzen.pdf 2) http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jctb.280530402/abstract 3) http://lamilanaise.com/nos-produits/farine-blanche-tout-usage-non-blanchie/ 4) http://www.ijrpbsonline.com/files/59-3290.pdf 5) http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/agns/pdf/jecfa/cta/63/Benzoylperoxide.pdf 6) http://www.eatingrealfood.com/articles/how-and-why-is-flour-bleached/ 7) https://dcc2.bumc.bu.edu/goutstudy/PurineContent.aspx

Poisonuos flour – Myth Vs Fact Part 1

In this notes I will try my best to ascertain whether or not the claim made by certain quarters on issues pertains to the toxicity of flour is a real issues or merely a nicely dressed hoax.

For those who are unsure on the reasons for this discussion, the following links will lead you to the issues that has been haunting social media for the past couples of week.



http://xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.blogspot.com/2013/09/tepung-beracun-dan-mengandungi-babi.html

First of all, flour or bleached flour is not the staple food for Asian or Malaysian specifically. In there, should lay a shred of comfort that we could cling onto. Nevertheless why cling on probabilities when we can actually verify from the web for factual data. In our endeavor to reveal the truth behind the story, perhaps it is wise for us to learn a little bit about flour production.

Wheat flour is made from wheat grain. Wheat kernel is composed of three sections, namely; bran, germ and endosperm.

The term whole wheat flour that we often heard refers to the use of all three sections of the kernel. Meanwhile white or refined flour only uses endosperm which is the largest part of the kernel, comprises of 83% of the kernel.

White flour which is treated with bleaching agent is known as bleached flour. Untreated white flour has yellowish properties given by Carotenoid Xanthophylls’ content in the flour. In typical kernel, 90% of the total Xanthophylls content is found in the endosperm. Carotenoids are prone to oxidation in exposure to atmosphere. Nevertheless, traditional method of bleaching is time consuming. As such, chemicals have been used to accelerate the bleaching process and ensuring it is of uniform color.

According to NIIR (a consultancy company based in India) flour bleaching processes use a combination of chemicals. Bleaching chemical used comprises of Benzoyl Peroxide and oxides of Nitrogen. Other types of chemical used for bleaching also include Nitrosyl Chloride which used in admixture with Chlorine.

Naturally the use of wide range of chemicals for a single process is a cause of concern. From this section onwards I will discuss issues as raised by the video link from youtube at the top part of this notes.

Myth: Toxicity of Benzoyl Peroxide

Fact: China and European Union did ban the use of Benzoyl Peroxide from being used as bleaching agent

Reality: The ban though, may raise concern, over its apparent toxicity of the said chemical, it is important to note that there are other chemical continued to be used in the bleaching process. Those chemical are such as Nitrosyl Chloride, Chlorine Dioxide and Acetone Peroxide. This list does not include chemical used for maturing process such as Azodicarbonamide or even chemical used for Bromation of flour. That being said Benzoyl Peroxide has been continuously used in USA, Canada and other countries. The reason for ban of Benzoyl Peroxide in China however is more than just the concern over its toxicity. The ban in China primarily is due to, first, the use of over the limit set (60mg/kg) by flour manufacturer in China (which is lower than international standard of around 100 mg/kg) and secondly, public opinion in China. As one last piece of trivia, Benzoyl Peroxide is also used in the production of Cheddar, Parmesan, Provolone, Romano, Swiss and many other types of chesses.

Royal Society of Chemist

Liquor in Coca-Cola

The recent buzz all over news on the allegedly leakage of secret recipe confirming coca-cola(coke) containing alcohol had caused a large portion of people screaming all over the web, frantically call for the boycott of coke. If that's not all, it was said that the main culprit of the entire event of blending this mixture of booze in the coke was allegedly being pointed to the Israelites and US. However, pathetically those who claimed as such merely linking their article with those from 'The American Life' without committing themselves of further research.



I do not care whether they conduct a rally or boycott or whatever against coke. Carbonated drink, is, as a matter of facts contain a lot of sugar. In fact, it would be even better if the boycott to be extended to all carbonated drink without any bias including all manufacturer brand, even Zam-Zam cola or Radix cola.



To clarify this matter, I would like to explain chronology of the establishment of coke company. Hopefully, misunderstanding is to be avoided. Whatever that we voice should be of truth, those who doubt my fact please conduct your own research.



Before we learn the chronology of coke company, one must remember, coke company was built on the trade secret. Trade secret are secret that is kept in the company so is to avoid it from being stolen by others. Stealing of other's recipe dated back until 1900's when numerous companies established in USA. One of those companies is Coca-Cola.



Initially, the producer of 'The American Life' radio station discovered the secret recipe of coke from a local newspaper 'Atlanta Journal Constitution'. This article dated back in 1979. The producer claimed the handwriting was that of Dr John Pemberton. Pemberton is the person who created coke drink. He is veteran, due to injury suffered by him, he created drinks to overcome his 'immense addiction of cocaine'.



This original article is written by Charles Salter. He claimed his sources is a pharmacist who said to be the friend of Pemberton. This recipe was written in a notebook, which is his fortune being passed in his family.



However, there is a fatal flaw in the argument, which we will discover as we learn the history of coke companies.



Coke was initially a drink created for medication purpose. However, this drink is far from an actual medication, coke was a combo of cocaine and alcohol. This cocktail was known as Pemberton's French Wine Coca. At that time, coca wine was the most popular beverage. Ahead of the list is Vin Mariani. Coke in particular was popular within USA. Initially, Pemberton sold coke from his pharmacy. His highest sales were between 1049 gallon, which is estimably about 3000-4000 liters. His associate, working with him, Frank Mason Robinson. He work as secretary and bookkeeper for Pemberton Chemical Company. Frank Mason are the person who gave the name coca-cola and the person who wrote it in the well known Spencerian script style.



However, in 1886, alcohol is prohibited in Georgia, Atlanta. Bear in mind, although historically it is claimed alcohol prohibition in US is around 1920, there are several states implement it far earlier. Other states, such as Massachusetts implement far earlier in 1657. This force Pemberton to alter his recipe using non-alcoholic syrups substitute.



By the end of 1888, Pemberton sold his recipe to Asa G Candler for $ 2300. By this time, coca-cola was no longer a sole proprietary. Candler bought coke recipe with his share holder. Pemberton later died in 1888 leaving a son, Charles Ney Pemberton and small fortune from his initial success of coca wine.



Candler who bought the recipe was a well known real estate developer and banker. However, most important of all, he is a drugstore owner and manufacturer of patented medicine.



Upon receiving the recipe, Candler made several changes to the recipe one of the changes as I believed is to take out cocaine from the cocktail. As I mentioned earlier, in those days, drug addiction is a serious issues, Pemberton himself was allegedly claimed his drink is to soothe his immense addiction. By 1904, moral panic on drug abuse gathered by America's forced manufacturer to remove cocaine from coca-cola. Although it is believed coca leaf still remained as the ingredient. (At this point, some traditionalist believed coke has lost his glory)



Apart from the pressure, Candler also made changes so that his coke drink taste better, have longer shelf life (perhaps the intention to bottle coke) and most important of all so that his coke is unique than other in the market. Bear in mind he is a drugstore owner who is familiar with the concept of patent. However, in contrary he never patented coke, instead it remained as a trade secret. This is in fact an evidence of Candler brilliance, by doing so he ensured that coke cannot be reproduced as generic coke by other manufacturer.



Frank Mason who is mentioned earlier was part of this new coke companies and remained as one of it's director and work vigorously for it's commercialization and later retired in 1914 and died in 1923.



From this chronology, it is important to note, the recipe which is described by 'The American Life' is cannot be of Candler who is experienced in patent and choose to kept the recipe as trade secret (the whereabout of the trade secret will be discussed later).



Frank Mason joined as part of Candler companies, hence no secret leaks there. Charles Ney Pamberton, sons of John Pamberton, if to be allegedly having the secret recipe could not have obtained recipe which is later altered by Candler. The only recipe he might have is of his father.



So, the question is where are the recipe. The recipe was actually written down by Candler. This recipe is stored and well kept in the vault of a bank - SunTrust Bank.



SunTrust bank was established in atlanta back in 1891, same birthplace as coke companies and have a good relationship with coke companies. As a matter of fact, SunTrust bank underwrite the initial public offering of coke companies in 1919.



By right, this history proved coke recipe is yet unavailable in the market. Secondly, the alleged evidence of the use of alcohol could not be proven unless any of the people who had access to the bank vault (coke co. rep.) or sitting on the top echelon of coke companies revealed it. Third, the only way as I deemed as possible to reveal the truth of whether alcohol is contained in coke is via the use of chemical knowledge - Ex: The use of chromatography. Since people lie, chromatography machine don't. However, this might not provide clear evident since some ingredient might be alcoholic in nature, and if this ingredient is part of alcohol recipe it might screw up - Ex: vanilla extract.



In the end, the choice whether to boycott or to not coke is in your hand. However, the claim that the recipe has been revealed containing clear cut evidence of alcohol use is without a doubt prospoterous.

Malaysia entertainment industry....

I still remember the first time I watch a movie in theater. It's a Malay movie's (Castello,depicting julie's biscuit as main cast), ever since I would say to myself never ever to bother myself to watch any other Malay movies (of course I haven't had chances to watch U-Wei movie's, some say he is maestro). I would never ever waste a single ringgit to watch a full loads of crap. Not that I sense nothing good in Malaysian made movies, it just I had sophisticated taste whenever it comes about my hobies. My officemate for instance always criticize selection of movies I watched. I had a very broad genre of movies I like to watch and I don't really had soft spot for all action movies.

Back to the point, ever since then I seldom watch Malay movies. However, recently a friend suggested me to watch anak halal. Reluctantly, I watched it, despite I thought he was actually exaggerating on how the good the movie was and so on. I kept the movie for a quite a long time. As usual, I'll spend my Saturday and Sunday watching movies. So I took out Papadom by Afdlin Shauki (afdlin movies on other hand was in its own quality, unlike typical malay movies comedy, they weren't slapstick) and anak halal.

To my astonishment, anak halal was in its own par. Nothing to compare with typical Malay movies. Anak halal definitely in my all time best malay movies list. Well, I would definitely suggest my friends who haven't watched this movie yet to try watch it. Though the dialogue is still quite rigid, frankly, as a whole it is still okay. Villain character portrayed by Zul Huzaimy and the other two guys was perfect. The movie flows is equally perfect.

Though there are still enormous void to be filled, overall, anak halal isn't too shabby. For those who craves for Remp-It, Bohsia and Impak maksima, anak halal is way better.

Beyond Big Bang...

World today had yet been closer unveiling what really happened in the event of Big Bang. This is really my cup of tea. Thought I am not really well verse in physics involved in Big Bang, quantum Mechanics and Big Bang had always been my interest. Recent, development had enabled scientist to finally reenact event happened during the initial moment of Big Bang. This is perhaps the most significant achievement ever since Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson discoveries. However, these achievement was somewhat more significant since it might open the possibilities achieving what Einstein had failed - Unification of gravitational force into quantum mechanics.

Ever since Einstein challenged Newton on theory of gravitational force, Einstein was somewhat puzzled in stark differences between quantum mechanics forces and gravitational forces. His famous quotes on unpredictable qualities in quantum mechanics, the building blocks of universe, literally,

"I, at any rate, am convinced that He does not throw dice"

Physics world today face yet another dilemma, unifying all four fundamental forces into a single theory, theory of everything, the string theory.

String theory had long being an enigma to scientific community. However, as CERN unveiled the largest laboratory ever built for an experiment, we just might be able to perhaps accept this theory finally. If, the particle collider able to prove the existence of massless particle and existence of extra dimension, string theory might finally accepted.