Author: Glossary
-
Reducing sugars
Sugars that are chemically reducing agents, including glucose, fructose, lactose, pentoses, but not sucrose.
-
Reciprocal ponderal index
An index of adiposity; height divided by cube root of weight.
-
Quantitative ingredients declaration (QUID)
Obligatory on food labels in EU since February 2000; previously legislation only required declaration of ingredients in descending order of quantity, not specific declaration of the amount of each ingredient present.
-
QUAC stick
Quaker arm circumference measuring stick. A stick used to measure height which also shows the 80th and 85th centiles of expected mid-upper arm circumference. Developed by a Quaker Service Team in Nigeria in the 1960s as a rapid and simple tool for assessment of nutritional status.
-
Pyruvic acid
An intermediate in the metabolism of carbohydrates, formed by the anaerobic metabolism of glucose. A keto acid of 3-carbon atoms is formed of carbohydrate in aerobic metabolism. Pyruvate is the salt or ester. A substance formed from glycogen in the muscles when it is broken down to release energy. Pyruvic acid also known as pyruvate,…
-
Pyruvate
Salts of pyruvic acid. A metabolic intermediate formed from glucose in glycolysis and from the deamination of alanine. The end product of glycolysis. A substance in blood; deficiency causes anemia. An intermediate product in the breakdown of glucose to carbon dioxide and water.
-
Pyrimidines
Nitrogenous compounds (bases) that occur in nucleic acids: cytosine, thymidine, and uracil. A heterocyclic organic compound containing nitrogen atoms at (ring) positions 1 and 3. Naturally occurring derivatives are components of nucleic acids and coenzymes, uracil, thymine, and cytosine. The parent substance of several nitrogenous compounds found in nucleic acid, e.g., thymine, uracil, and cytosine.…
-
Pyridoxal phosphate
5-Phosphate of the aldehyde form of pyridoxine (vitamin B6): this is the major form of the vitamin in blood and tissues, and is commonly measured as an index of vitamin B6 status. Coenzyme form of the vitamin pyridoxine. A derivative of vitamin B6 that is an important ‘coenzyme in certain reactions of amino-acid metabolism.
-
Putrescine
Low molecular weight amine with biological activity. A polyamine derived from arginine. A poisonous polyamine formed by bacterial action on the amino acid arginine.
-
Ptyalism
Excessive flow of saliva. The production of an excessive amount of saliva. Excessive salivation, sometimes occurring in pregnancy, certain poisonings, and neurological disorders. The excessive production of saliva: a symptom of certain nervous disorders, poisoning (by mercury, mushrooms, or organophosphates), or infection (rabies). Excessive secretion of saliva. This may be due to pregnancy, stomatitis, rabies,…