Determination of Specific Nutrients in Various Foods

Humans need to consume food compounds such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and vitamins to meet their energy requirements. In this lab, reagents were used as indicators to test common food substances for the presence of specific nutrients. Meat and eggs tested positively for protein, while fruit, cereal, bread and potatoes tested positively for starch and glucose. Meats and oils had a high fat content, and potato chips and frozen pizza had a high sodium content. None of the foods tested in this lab would individually be able to meet all of our body’s requirements for essential food compounds. Therefore, it is important to eat a variety of foods that provide just the right balance between carbohydrates, proteins, and fat. Introduction This lab focuses on the body’s need for carbohydrates, proteins, and fats to obtain energy. The first law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created nor destroyed, but can change form. Humans must harvest a lot of the energy required for life from the chemical energy stored in food. Humans digest the food into simple compounds such as glucose, amino acids (protein), and fatty acids. Our cells break the compounds down further, releasing free energy which can be used for cellular work such as growth, muscle contraction, and tissue repair (Biological Science An Ecological Approach, 1992 & BSCS Biology A Molecular Approach, 2001). Carbon is the central element for all living things. Carbon atoms can combine with hydrogen, nitrogen,