What's in bread

Molecules in it 9

• Starch

  On MoleculeFinder's curated bread list from source

  How plants store glucose, and the biggest single source of calories in the human diet. Bread, rice, potatoes, and pasta are largely this.

• Gluten

  On MoleculeFinder's curated bread list from source

  The stretchy protein network that forms when wheat flour meets water and is kneaded. It is what lets bread dough trap gas and rise.

• EthanolC2H6O

  On MoleculeFinder's curated bread list from source

  The alcohol in wine, beer, and spirits, and what the body reads as intoxicating.

  As a pure substance: LD50 5,628 mg/kg (rat, oral) from source

• Sodium chlorideClNa

  On MoleculeFinder's curated bread list from source

  Table salt. Sodium and chloride ions in a cubic lattice, and the only rock people eat on purpose.

  As a pure substance: LD50 3,000 mg/kg (rat, oral) from source

• AcrylamideC3H5NO

  On MoleculeFinder's curated bread list from source

  A molecule that forms when starchy foods are toasted or fried to a deep brown.

  As a pure substance: LD50 124 mg/kg (rat, oral) from source

• ThiamineC12H17N4OS+

  On MoleculeFinder's curated bread list from source

  Vitamin B1. Its absence causes beriberi, the disease that appeared when milling stripped the husk off rice and took the vitamin with it.

  As a pure substance: LD50 3,710 mg/kg (rat, oral) from source

• Nicotinic acidC6H5NO2

  On MoleculeFinder's curated bread list from source

  Vitamin B3, which your cells use to turn food into usable energy; roasting even creates a little of it in coffee.

  As a pure substance: LD50 7,000 mg/kg (rat, oral) from source

• FolateC19H19N7O6

  On MoleculeFinder's curated bread list from source

  Vitamin B9, needed to build DNA. It is added to flour in many countries because a shortage early in pregnancy causes neural tube defects.

  As a pure substance: LD50 85 mg/kg (mouse, other) from source

• IronFe

  On MoleculeFinder's curated bread list from source

  The metal civilisation is named after, the core of the planet, and the atom at the centre of haemoglobin that carries oxygen in your blood. Element 26.

  As a pure substance, its GHS hazard label: signal word Danger; Flammable, Irritant from source