In: Chemistry
Which amino acidand artificialsweetener areverydangerous to some people? Why?
(Hint: Name and describethe disorder, it symptomology, and maintenance)
An excess of one of the two amino acid in artificial sweetner aspartame is dangerous for the people with phenylketoneurea .Sweetner aspartame is methyl ester of two amine acid - aspartic acid and pbe ylalanime(phe).Phenylketoneurea is inherited metabolic disorder.The main feature of this disorder is the bodys inability to break down excess phe.
Due to mutation differing enzyme is produced with reduced ability of performing the initial steps in the breakdown of phe ,so the level of amino acid in the body rises and has a toxic effect on neuron.Early dete tion of high phe level and intervention is vital to avoid several mental disability .
Maintenance......
In1950 a low phe dite was introduced for people with severe metabolidisorder and it conti ues to be predominant treatment.Since phe is found on most food sourcesthe diet involvs getting most energy intake from formula instead of meal,supplemented by a small amount of food low in protein..(food and vegetable).A synthetic factor of enzyme co factor one option it is able to break down phe.