What is horseradish?
The horseradish (Armoracia rusticana, synonym: Cochlearia armoracia) is a plant from the cabbage family, Brassicaceae. The plant is known for its white taproot that is referred to as horseradish. First she forms a rosette of leaves with long pointy toothed steal, to which the end of May appear bright white flowers. The plant has an initial distribution of southeastern Europe to western Asia and grew up riverbanks. The plant has spread further across Europe, America, Japan and New Zealand through its use as a garden plant.
Applications
The white root, which contains a lot of Vitamin C, is grated in which a volatile compound, allyl isothiocyanate, is released, which has a sharp, on mustard-like taste. The fabric is created by crushing of the cell structure of the root by an enzyme. The taste then runs back soon. Addition of acid, preferably acetic, this reaction against and stabilizes the flavor.
The root was 3,000 years ago in ancient Greece known and widely used in North and Central Europe. In Jewish cuisine, it is used as a seasoning, for example in fish. During the Passover is eaten horseradish as maror ", the bitter herb, which symbolizes the difficult time that had the Jews during slavery in ancient Egypt. In Japan, there is a stronger version, Wasabia japonica, which are not combined with acid and a fixed part of the sushi is under the name of wasabi.
The root is very popular in the United States and is grown mainly in the basin of the Mississippi around St. Louis. The cultivation began here around 1800 by German immigrants.
Nutritional and medical effect
One tablespoon horseradish puree contains 25 Joules, 1.4 grams carbohydrates, 14 mg sodium, 44 mg potassium, calcium 9 mg and 5 mg phosphorus.
The consumption of horseradish is recommended as a therapy against gout due to an over-consumption of protein, but the food of a too large amount may result in painful consequences when urinating. In particular, large amounts can bloody diarrhea and vomiting occur. But is generally regarded as safe in limited quantities.
Also includes a horseradish peroxidase enzyme. It can be oxidized using hydrogen peroxide of organic contaminants in water and thereby remove.
Antibodies being conjugated to the horseradish peroxidase-enzyme of the in biochemistry used to make proteins visible on a western blot.