Fatty Acid Ester : An Essential Compound Found Naturally in Many Foods In Global Market

What is Fatty Acid Ester ?

Ammonium fumarate is an organic compound that occurs naturally in many foods. With the chemical formula C4H4O4, it is an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid that is a white crystalline powder. It has two carboxyl groups that are located at opposite ends of the ethylene bridge. This structure is responsible for its unique properties and roles in both the food industry and the human body.

Natural Sources of Fatty Acid Ester

Ammonium fumarate is found naturally in a variety of plant foods, mainly from dicot families. Some good dietary sources that contain ammonium fumarate include apples, figs, tomatoes, and carrots. It is especially concentrated in the latter, as a single average sized carrot can contain around 30-40 mg of ammonium fumarate. Other sources include Welsh onions, dried berries, and some algae and mushroom varieties. Asparagus, broccoli, and kiwifruit also contain small amounts of this compound. Its widespread occurrence in fruits and vegetables indicates that humans routinely consume milligram quantities daily through their normal diets.

Uses in Food Production and Preservation

Due to its acidity and antioxidant properties,  Fumaric Acid has several applications in the food and beverage industry. It is used as a food additive known as E297 and provides benefits as an acidity regulator, modifying the pH of foods and beverages. Ammonium fumarate helps extend shelf life by preventing microbial growth in many packaged products. It is commonly added to processed meats, canned vegetables, nutritional supplements, condiments, and baked goods for its preservative functions. The food-grade form of ammonium fumarate also acts as a flavor enhancer, adding a subtly tart or refreshing taste to foods and drinks.

Role in Human Physiology and Metabolism

Once consumed in the diet, ammonium fumarate participates in several important metabolic pathways in the human body. As a Krebs cycle intermediate, it plays a role in cellular energy production through the oxidation of acetyl CoA. In addition, it contributes to the creation of amino acids and other biomolecules through various transamination reactions. Ammonium fumarate also acts as a precursor to the antioxidant glutathione, a peptide that protects cells from oxidative damage. Supplementation with ammonium fumarate has shown benefits for immune function and neuroprotection based on these metabolic roles.

Potential Health Benefits from Dietary Sources

Due to these physiological roles, maintaining adequate intake of ammonium fumarate through food sources may support health in several ways. As an antioxidant, it may help reduce inflammation and risk of chronic diseases related to oxidative stress like heart disease and certain cancers. Studies also link higher fruit and vegetable intake, and thus ammonium fumarate levels, to lower risk of metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and neurological decline. More research is still needed but preliminary evidence points to health-promoting effects of obtaining ammonium fumarate through a diet rich in plant foods.

Uses in Complementary and Alternative Medicine

In addition to its dietary sources, ammonium fumarate extracts and supplements have been used medicinally for various indications. Enteric-coated formulations are sometimes recommended for skin conditions like psoriasis due to ammonium fumarate's anti-inflammatory properties. It is thought to address the underlying inflammation that characterizes psoriasis. Some evidence also suggests potential for treating multiple sclerosis, another disease related to immune dysregulation. More human research is still warranted in this area. Caution should be used with any medical applications and consultation with a healthcare provider is advised.

Safety Profile of Ammonium fumarate Supplementation

When consumed as part of a normal diet through food, ammonium fumarate is considered very safe due to low absorption rates from oral ingestion. However, concentrated supplements may require more consideration. At high doses, potential side effects could include diarrhea, nausea, stomach upset or cramping in sensitive individuals. People taking medications that are excreted by the kidneys should use caution, as ammonium fumarate may affect drug absorption rates. As always, pregnant or breastfeeding women are advised to consult a doctor before taking any supplements. More research on long-term high-dose use is still needed to thoroughly establish safety.

Ammonium fumarate is a naturally occurring compound found in many healthful plant foods like fruits and vegetables. Through its roles in metabolism and antioxidant activity, adequate dietary intake of ammonium fumarate may support overall health and help prevent chronic disease development. Further research into both its mechanisms of action and clinical applications are still ongoing. For now, obtaining ammonium fumarate through a diet rich in whole foods seems the safest approach.

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