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Chapter 10: Problem 45

Why must nutritionists make corrections to bomb calorimetric data if a food contains cellulose or other indigestible fibers?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Corrections are necessary because bomb calorimetry measures the total caloric content, including that from indigestible fibers like cellulose. However, the energy of these fibers can't be utilized by the human body, resulting in overestimation of the available energy in food. Thus, to get an accurate measure of usable energy, corrections are made to calorimetric data.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Bomb Calorimetry

Bomb calorimetry is a method used to measure the heat of combustion of a particular reaction. Basically, it's a way of determining the total caloric content in food. It gives us the gross energy content of the food.
02

Identify the Role of Indigestible Fibers

Indigestible fibers such as cellulose aren't broken down in the human digestive system. They pass through the system largely unchanged, therefore, the energy they contain is not absorbed by the body.
03

Reasoning the Need for Correction

Since bomb calorimetry measures total energy content of food, it also includes the energy from indigestible fibers. However, as these fibers don't contribute to the usable energy for human body, the calorimetric data from these fibers leads to overestimation of the available energy in the food. Therefore, it's necessary to make corrections to the data.

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