A Little About Biological Chemistry

Welcome to the wall of biochemistry
Many people say that biochemistry is something difficult, but it is absolutely wrong. It is something which very easy if we are concern and serious in the study. We can know many fascinating problem that makes open our think if Allah is great.

Biochemistry, sometimes called biological chemistry, is the study of chemical processes in living organisms, including, but not limited to, living matter. Biochemistry governs all living organisms and living processes. By controlling information flow through biochemical signalling and the flow of chemical energy through metabolism, biochemical processes give rise to the incredible complexity of life. Much of biochemistry deals with the structures and functions of cellular components such as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids and otherbiomolecules —although increasingly processes rather than individual molecules are the main focus. Over the last 40 years biochemistry has become so successful at explaining living processes that now almost all areas of the life sciences from botany to medicine are engaged in biochemical research.

In this simple blog, you will learn a little about biochemistry especially in practice of biochemistry. Some material for example molish’s test, biuret’s test etc can  yuo read here. This blog can help you to finish your work in practice of biochemistry. You can learn about basic teory of every practice, you also will be challenged to answer some question which make arise your spirit to attempt something different.

So…what are you waiting for, let’s start study with bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Kjedahl Method

• Kjedahl method is used to determine the nitrogen compound, It also indicated the amount of protein in the material. Kjedahl is standard method for estimating protein content in food.

The method consists of heating a substance with sulfuric acid, which decomposes the organic substance by oxidation to liberate the reduced nitrogen as ammonium sulfate. In this step potassium sulfate is added to increase the boiling point of the medium (from 337°F to 373°F / 169°C to 189°C). Chemical decomposition of the sample is complete when the medium has become clear and colorless (initially very dark).

The solution is then distilled with sodium hydroxide (added in small quantities) which converts the ammonium salt to ammonia. The amount of ammonia present (hence the amount of nitrogen present in the sample) is determined by back titration. The end of the condenser is dipped into a solution of boric acid. The ammonia reacts with the acid and the remainder of the acid is then titrated with a sodium carbonate solution with a methyl orange pH indicator.

Degradation: Sample + H₂SO₄ → (NH₄)₂SO₄(aq) + CO₂(g) + SO₂(g) + H₂O(g)

Liberation of ammonia: (NH₄)₂SO₄(aq) + 2NaOH → Na₂SO₄(aq) + 2H₂O(l) + 2NH₃(g)

Capture of ammonia: B(OH)₃ + H₂O + NH₃ → NH₄⁺ + B(OH)₄^–

Back-titration: B(OH)₃ + H₂O + Na₂CO₃ → NaHCO₃(aq) + NaB(OH)₄(aq) + CO₂(g) + H₂O

Nowadays, the Kjeldahl method is largely automated and makes use of specific catalysts (mercury oxide or copper sulfate) to speed up the decomposition.

Curcumin

Curcumin is the principal curcuminoid that present in member of ginger family (Zingiberaceae).  The curcuminoids are natural phenols and are responsible for the yellow color of turmeric. Curcumin can be used for boron quantification in the curcumin method. It reacts with boric acid forming a red colored compound, known as rosocyanine (en.wikipedia.org). Curcumin has the ability to dramaticaly lower the risk of heart diseasa, cancer and alkzeimer.

Formaldehide

Formaldehide (CH2O) is a colorless gas that have pungent odor. Commercial solutions of formaldehyde in water, commonly called formalin, were formerly used as disinfectants and for preservation of biological specimens (en.wikipedia.org). Commonly formaldehide formed from reaction catalitic oxidation from metanol. So every day it formed from burned of cigaret, fuel and our woods. Our cell body also produce it as a metabolic product. In our athmosphere it can be produce as interaction betwen sun light and O2 with metana or other hidrocarbon.

Even in small amount formaldehide can cause seriously health problem. Symptoms of low-level exposure include; runny nose, sore throat, cough, dermatitis, sleeping difficulties, headache, fatigue, breathing difficulties, sinus irritation, chest pain, frequent nausea, bronchitis, and decreased lung capacity. Signs of acute exposure include; abdominal pain, anxiety, coma, convulsions, diarrhea, and respiratory problems such as bronchitis, pneumonia or pulmonary edema. (prohousedr.com)

Sansiviera trivasciata (lidah mertua) proved can used to neutralized formalin in the foods (republika.online). The extract of sansiviera mix with the food that provide formalin, after some minutes formalin will be absorbed by this extarct. In this case make the negative effect of formalin will be lost.