toidukemik

Toidukemik is a term used in Estonian to refer to food chemistry or a food chemist. Food chemistry is the scientific discipline that studies the physical and chemical makeup of food and the transformations that food undergoes. It involves understanding the composition of food, including its nutritional value, and how chemical processes affect its flavor, texture, appearance, and shelf life.

A food chemist, or toidukemik, is a scientist who specializes in this field. They may work in various sectors, including food production, research and development, quality control, and regulatory affairs. Their work can involve analyzing food samples to ensure safety and compliance with standards, developing new food products, improving existing ones, or investigating food spoilage and contamination.

The scope of food chemistry is broad, encompassing topics such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and food additives. It also explores the chemical reactions that occur during cooking, processing, and storage, such as oxidation, hydrolysis, and Maillard reactions. Understanding these chemical principles is crucial for producing safe, nutritious, and appealing food for consumers.