cHeMiStRy FoR LiFe

Over the last two centuries, chemistry has changed our daily lives more than any other of the sciences. Chemistry makes our world more colorful, more efficient, more reliable and safer. Pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, toiletries and body care products, airbags and brake fluid - they're all chemical products. Of all the natural sciences, this is the only one to have given rise to an entire industry - Without doubt, chemistry will further go on as the key science within newly evolving areas of knowledge and interdisciplinary research.

So, we do live in a world of matter. From the foods that sustain our lives to various objects that have built up our physical culture, everything is made up of matter. The human body itself is a mixture of matter of differing types. The humans who used materials obtained from nature for centuries, later made new materials out of these to suit their needs. Now the humans have thousand of materials for their use - both natural and human made. The ability that humans acquired to make new materials from natural materials is the basis of human progress. When the structure of the material world and the nature of physical and chemical changes in them were studied, humans were able to make new materials and to control their different properties. The development of chemistry made this progress possible. The contribution of chemistry to fields like, agriculture, industries, health care, food industry, habitat, transport and research has been invaluable. Through chemical processes that scientists develop chemistry comes up every day with answers to ever increasing human needs.

-Antibiotics-

What are Antibiotics?

Antibiotics are drugs that either destroy bacteria or prevent their reproduction. Antibiotics that kill bacteria are called "bactericidal" and the ones that stop the growth of bacteria are called "bacteriostatic".

Do you know? That the first natural antibiotics was discovered in 1928 by Alexender Fleming. He actually discovered the penicillin which one of the antibiotics and ever since then scientist have vigorously develop numerous kind of antibiotic pills. Today, over 100 different antibiotics are available. About 90% of antibiotics are made from living organisms such as bacteria, others are produced synthetically, either in whole or in part.

Antibiotics classification:

Although there are several classification schemes for antibiotics, based on bacterial spectrum (broad, narrow) or route of administration (oral, topical), or type of activity (bactericidal, bacteriostatic), the most useful is based on chemical structure. Antibiotics within a structural class will generally have similar patterns of effectiveness, toxicity, and allergic potential.
There are many types of antibiotics namely Penicillins, Fluoroquinolones, Cephalosporins, Macrolides, and Tetracyclines. While each class is composed of multiple drugs, each drug has its unique in some way to destroy the bacteria.

Now, since the first of ever the penicillins, is discovered. So let us explore something new about this first ever born antibiotic:

The structural formula of the Penicillins:

- The penicillinss were effective against many previously serious diseases such as syphilis and Staphylococcus infections. The main disease here, the syphilis is actually sexually transmitted and the penicilins played their importantant as to find against . If this disease left untreated syphilis can damage the heart, aorta, brain, eyes, and bones. Scary Right!!!

There are four types of penicillins:

· The natural pencillins are based on the original penicillin-G structure. Penicillin-G types are effective against gram-positive strains of streptococci, staphylococci, and some gram-negative bacteria such as meningococcus.
· Penicillinase-resistant penicillins are active even in the presence of the bacterial enzyme that inactivates most natural penicillins.
· Extended spectrum penicillins which are effective against a wider range of bacteria.
· Aminopenicillins such as ampicillin and amoxicillin have an extended spectrum of action compared with the natural penicillins.

Penicillins's side effects:

Penicillins are among the least toxic drugs known. The most common side effect of penicillin is diarrhea. Nausea, vomiting, and upset stomach are also common. In rare cases penicillins can cause immediate and delayed allergic reactions - specifically, skin rashes, fever, and anaphylactic shock. Penicillins are classed as category B during pregnancy. So Better To Be Cautious!!!

So overall penicillins do help us and also the doctors to fight against and cure our diseases. BUT do REMEMBER that overdose of antibiotics may also lead us to side effects, which we do not want to suffer it in future…Always do follow the prescribtion of your doctor do not think that consuming lots of antibiotic can help to fight my disease away…Which Is Actually Not!!!

Something on instant noodles...

-The so called 'Instant noodle' -

Instant noodles are considered as a ‘junk food’ just because it does not contain any of the nutritional values on it…So it is just a pack of ‘unhealthy’ noodles…We are generally attracted by its way and style of the packaging we didn’t even bother that are there any so called ‘beneficial’ ingredients on it…they are just born just to have the satisfaction of enjoying with different kindsof taste and ingredients added on it…And people usually think by cooking instant noodles can help them to save their time by avoiding themselves spending a long time cooking in the kitchen.

Now, do you know that a single serving size of instant noodles are packed high in carbohydrate but low in fiber, vitamins and minerals. Noodles are typically fried as part of the manufacturing process, resulting in high level of saturated fat or known as trans fat. Additionally, if served in an instant broth, instant noodles typically contain high amounts of sodium. And the thing that tickles our taste buds is of course, the flavoring soup which usually packed readily in our instant noodles packet. The flavoring soup base here played an important role as flavor an additive which is the monosodium glutamate (MSG) in our meal.

Instant noodles (raw)Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz)
Energy 450 kcal 1900 kJ

Carbohydrates 65 g
- Dietary fiber 2.4 g

Fat 17 g
- saturated 7.6 g
- monounsaturated 6.5 g

Protein 9 g

Thiamine (Vit. B1) 0.7 mg (54%)
Riboflavin (Vit. B2) 0.4 mg (27%)
Niacin (Vit. B3) 5.4 mg (36%)
Folate (Vit. B9) 147 μg (37%)
Iron 4.3 mg (34%)
Potassium 120 mg (3%)
Sodium 1160 mg (50%)

One package is 80 gPercentages are relative to USrecommendations for adults.Source: USDA

Monosodium glutamate is considered as an unhealthy stuff this is because MSG can lead us to several factors of diseases or side effects such as:

- burning sensation in the back of the neck, forearms and chest
- numbness in the back of the neck, radiating to the arms and back
- tingling, warmth and weakness in the face, temples, upper back, neck and arms facial pressure or tightness
- chest pain
- headache
- nausea
- rapid heartbeat
- bronchospasm (difficulty in breathing) in MSG-intolerant people with asthma
- drowsiness
- weakness

-The dangerous Monosodium glutamate (MSG)-

-And this the stuructural formula of the MSG-

And here is a circulated e-mail copy for those who are really instant noodles lovers...Please have a read on what it saying:

· Make sure you break for at least 3 days after one session of instant noodles before you eat your next packet! Please read the info shared to me by a doctor. My family stopped eating instant noodles more than 5 years ago after heari ng about the wax coating the noodles – the wax is not just in the Styrofoam containers but it coats the noodles. This is why the instant noodles do not stick to each other when cooking.

· If one were to examine the ordinary Chinese yellow noodles in the market, one will notice that, in their uncooked state the noodles are oily. This layer of oil prevents the noodles from sticking together.

· Wanton noodles in their uncooked state have been dusted with flour to prevent them sticking together. When the hawker cooks the noodles, notice he cooks them in hot water and then rinses them in cold water before cooking them in hot water again. This process is repeated several times before the noodles are ready to be served. The cooking and rinsing process prevents noodles from sticking together.

· The hawker then ‘lowers the noodles in oil and sauce to prevent the noodles from sticking if they are to be served dry. Cooking instructions for spaghetti require oil or butter to be added in the water when boiling the spaghetti to prevent the pasta from sticking together. Otherwise, one gets a big clump of spaghetti!

· There was an SBC (now TCS) actor some years ago, who at a busy time of his career had no time to cook, resorted to eating instant noodles everyday. He got cancer later on. His doctor told him about the wax in instant noodles. The doctor told him that our body will need up to 2 days to clear the wax. There was also an SIA steward who after moving out from his mother’s house into his own house, did not cook but ate instant noodles almost every meal. He had cancer, and has since died from it.

· Nowadays the instant noodles are referred as ‘ cancer noodles '.

Are you AWARE of the H1N1 (swine flu) ???

And here is a microscopy picture of the H1N1 virus !!!

Humans, animals, plants are surrounded by air...Oxygen is supplied to us for breathing and carbon dioxide is expelled...And NOW our AIR is infected by some kind of virus called H1N1!!!... And the worst thing is ...WE ARE LIVING WITH THEM...Now, what does this H1N1 means...H1N1(referred to as “swine flu” early on) is a new influenza virus spreading among our population...Scary right!!! This new virus was first detected in people in the United States in April 2009. Other countries, including Mexico and Canada, have reported people sick with this new virus. This virus is spreading from a person-to-person, probably in much the same way that regular seasonal influenza viruses spread...

What are the sign and the symptoms of the H1N1 virus???

The symptoms of H1N1 flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of seasonal flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. A significant number of people who have been infected with this virus also reported of having diarrhea and vomiting. Also, like seasonal flu, severe illness and death has occurred as a result of illness associated with this virus......

How shall we avoid ourselves from H1N1???

Obviously, there is no vaccine available right now to protect against H1N1 virus. But there are everyday actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses like influenza.

Take these everyday steps to protect your health:

· Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
· Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
· Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
· Stay home if you are sick for 7 days after your symptoms begin or until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours, whichever is longer. This is to keep from infecting others and spreading the virus further. Of course you may also wear a mask whenever you are in the crowded place.

Other important actions that you can take are:

· Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
· Be prepared in case you get sick and need to stay home for a week or so; a supply of over-the-counter medicines, alcohol-based hand rubs, tissues and other related items might could be useful and help avoid the need to make trips out in public while you are sick and contagious.



Now this is the best way to close your mouth and nose whenever you Sneeze or Cough!!!

When you came in contact with objects do remember to wash your hands with soaps so that bacteria are killed!!!

Food in our thought

Generally, humans do need to consume fats in their daily diet. But, of course! We know that too much of consuming fats are not so good as you are trying to develop various kind of condition plus diseases! As we know the common disease is, obesity. Being overweight can shorten life span and rise to the risk of conditions like diabetes and also cancer. Too much of fats can also develop to prolonged of the blood vessels causing the blood to flow slow than the normal rate of blood flowing and at last the person will develop a cardiovascular disease. Normally, fats can be found directly in the foods such as meat, dairy products, nuts and so on.

Yummy yummy....Hmm...So Delicious !!!-------

Now, in our daily lifestyle, we would like to taste the “deliciousness” of the fast- food…Of course! You may think that everyone love fast food yet there are some of them dislike the “site” of fast-food instead they prefer to eat healthy diet food. When we mention about having a fast-food delight in today’s menu for lunch, the next thing will pop up from our mind is KFC and McDonald as this two restaurant are the most famous…KFC’s famous slogan “Finger licking good”…while for McD’s slogan “ I’m lovin it” and actually these slogans are normally trying to pull your attention so that you can spend your money to an invaluable nutritional meals. And recently, McD have started promoting their set called “value meal” which include a burger (optional, according to your preference) and notice their calories values for different types of burger that we choose. While in our McD value meal you will have this soft drink is either coca-cola or pepsi and guess what! One regular soft drink is equal to 10 teaspoons of sugar! And some of them will just consume more than one can of soft drink. Remember, in a can of soft drink there is no any nutritional value, plus also contain excitatory amino acids and artificial chemicals which is added to give us an enhances that will affect our pituitary gland. Soft drink also has high levels of sodium and phosphate that will lower our calcium and especially, for women it will lower their bone density, which causes them to have more brittle bones than stronger bones.