Principles of Food Science and
Nutrition
DEFINITIONS
Food Science
• Study about the food
• It is a multi-disciplinary field involving chemistry, biochemistry, nutrition,
microbiology and engineering to give one the scientific knowledge to solve
real problems associated with the many facets of the food system.
OR
• Food science -is the study of the physical, biological, and chemical
makeup of food; and the concepts underlying food processing
• Food science is a systematic study of the nature of food materials and the
scientific principles underlying their modification, preservation, and
spoilage
• Food technology is the application of food science to the selection,
preservation, processing, packaging, distribution, and use of safe food
• FOOD - Is the substance fulfill our daily requirement of nutrition is known
as a food.
• Food may be defined as anything solid or liquid which when consumed
meets the requirements of energy, bodybuilding, repair, regulation and
protection due to the nutrients present in it.•
• All nutrients needed by the body are available to feed.
FUNCTIONS OF FOOD
• Food has various functions in our lives.
Functions of food may be classified according to
their role in the body as-
• physiological,
• social and
• psychological functions.
Physiological functions of food
• Energy yielding food: Carbohydrates and fats-
Cereals, roots, tubers, dry fruits, oils, butter and
ghee are all good sources of energy.
• Body building foods: Proteins-
These foods help to maintain life, to repair or
replace worn out tissues and to promote
growth. They also supply energy. Milk, meat, egg
and fish are rich in proteins of high biological
value.
Protective and regulatory foods: Vitamins and
minerals-
• Foods rich in protein, minerals and vitamins
are known as protective and regulatory foods.
• They are essential for health and regulate
activities such as maintenance of body
temperature, muscle contraction, control of
water balance, clotting of blood, removal of
waste products from the body, maintaining
heartbeat and to improve immunity.
• Milk, egg, liver, fruits and vegetables are
sources of protective foods.
Foods that help in maintenance of health-
• Food is a source of phytochemicals and antioxidants
which help in neutralizing deleterious free-radicals
which damage the biological tissues thus, preventing
a wide array of degenerative diseases.
• Food plays an important role in preventing chronic
diseases like cancer, degenerative diseases and
cardiovascular diseases; and in the management of
diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.
• Such foods can be termed as functional foods.
Nutrition - is the study of food in relation to health of an
individual, community or society and the process
through which food is used to sustain life and growth.
Nutrients - refers to what is not seen by naked eye,
nutrient obtained from food.
•All living things need food and water to live.
•All human beings need “good food” to live well.
•Food = Energy
Proper nutrition provides the body with the
nutrients necessary to build, maintain and repair
tissues.
Food science concepts are discussed in
the following sections
• Measurements
• density
• phase change
• pH
• osmosis
• surface tension
• colloidal systems