What is the chemistry behind instant pudding and shampoo?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion explores the chemistry behind instant pudding and shampoo, focusing on the roles of various chemicals in these products. Participants seek resources and references that provide a deeper understanding of the chemical components involved in everyday items.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant mentions the interest in understanding the chemistry of instant pudding and shampoo, referencing McGee's book "On Food and Cooking" for its insights.
  • Another participant suggests McCutcheon's "Functional Materials" as a useful reference for understanding the functions of various chemicals in products, detailing the organization of the guide by function and company.
  • A participant highlights the Merck Index as a valuable resource for identifying the functions of specific ingredients like sodium lauryl sulfate and carrageenan.
  • There is a humorous remark about the ingredients in baby formula, specifically mentioning cyanocobalamin and calcium pantothanate.
  • One participant points out the ingredient list of the homeopathic pain reliever 'Head On' as particularly interesting due to its brevity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a shared interest in the chemistry of everyday products and suggest various resources, but there is no consensus on specific texts or the depth of information available.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various resources, but the discussion does not resolve the availability or comprehensiveness of materials on the chemistry of instant pudding and shampoo.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in the chemistry of everyday products, food science, and cosmetic formulations may find this discussion relevant.

Andy Resnick
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I imagine this is a common question, but is there any useful material out there for understanding, for example, the chemistry of instant pudding? Or what all those chemicals in shampoo do?

I have McGee's book "On Food and Cooking", which is highly interesting, but I'd appreciate a little more quantitation.
 
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McGee's book is a great read. I don't know where to find books on the chemistry of everyday items but I'm sure there must be some out there. I've read many of the ingredient lists on products and look up the ones I don't know about. A good reference book is McCutcheon's book entitled 'Functional Materials' which is an annual reference guide to these chemicals. The table of contents (or Index of Functions as McCutcheon's refers to it) has entries starting at Absorbents/Adsorbents, Algicides/Antimicrobials/Bactericides/Disinfectants/Fungicides, Anticaking Agents,... to Suspending Agents, Thickeners, UV Absorbers/UV Light Stabilizers, Water Repellents, Waxes & Polishes. The guide is arranged by Company, Function, and Alphabetically.

McCutcheon's also publishes an annual reference called, "Emulsifiers & Detergents".
 
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I discovered (re-discovered?) the Merck Index- whoa. This is pretty much what I was looking for: now I know what sodium lauryl sulfate does, for example. And why carageenan is used in pudding. I'm working through the list on baby formula: would you like some cyanocobalamin with your calcium pantothanate, anyone?
 
Andy Resnick said:
I discovered (re-discovered?) the Merck Index- whoa. This is pretty much what I was looking for: now I know what sodium lauryl sulfate does, for example. And why carageenan is used in pudding. I'm working through the list on baby formula: would you like some cyanocobalamin with your calcium pantothanate, anyone?

Mmmmm, yummy! B12 and calcium-fortified goop in jars! Where's my spoon?
 
Take a look at the homeopathic pain reliever 'Head On.' It has a very interesting--and very short--list of ingredients.
 

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