How Is the Energy Content of Foods Determined in the Laboratory?

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SUMMARY

The energy content of foods is determined using bomb calorimetry, a laboratory method that involves combusting the food sample and measuring the temperature change in water. For example, to calculate the caloric content of a peanut, one would burn it in a bomb calorimeter, recording the temperature change of the water. If the temperature increases by 6.0 °C with 100.0 g of water, the energy released is calculated as 2508 J, which converts to approximately 599.43 calories. Accurate unit conversion and measurement are crucial in this process.

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  • Understanding of bomb calorimetry
  • Knowledge of specific heat capacity
  • Familiarity with unit conversions (Joules to calories)
  • Basic principles of thermodynamics
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Raza
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Explain the laboratory methods used to determine the energy content of foods?
The laboratory methods used to determine the energy content of foods would be to combust it in a bomb calorimeter. Let’s say that I wanted to see how much calories is in a peanut. What I would do is burn it in a bomb calorimeter. As I am burning it, I would record the temperature of the water inside the bomb calorimeter. After the peanut is completely burned, I would calculate the Q value of water. Let's the temperature changed 6.0 oC and the mass of water was 100.0g. I calculate Q by (6.0 oC)(100.0g)(4.18kJ/ oC), which is 2508J. I would divide that with 4.184J because 1cal=4.184J. The calories in that peanut would be 599.43 cal.
 
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Looks right to me. Just take care on your units, the units of specific heat are KJ/ (kg K) don't forget the mass unit.

Regards,
-Hoot
 

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