Allyn and Betty Taylor Library Presents

May-June 2017

Taylor Hours: May 1 - June 27 Monday- Friday Saturday- The Licorice Edition Thursday Sunday By: Shawn Hendrikx Taylor 8:00am- 8:00am- CLOSED 8:00pm 5:00pm Licorice is a popular candy throughout the world due to its InfoDesk 9:00am- 9:00am- CLOSED distinct flavour, which is derived from the root of Glycyrrhiza 5:00pm 5:00pm glabra, a legume found in Europe and Asia. The root is also Research 1:00pm- 1:00pm- CLOSED used as a tobacco flavouring agent and in traditional medi- Help 3:00pm 3:00pm cine. The active ingredient is Glycyrrhizin, which is 33 times Taylor Hours: June 28 - July 2 sweeter than sucrose. Unfortunately, Glycyrrhizin is also toxic in large quantities. A Wednesday- Friday - Sunday recent Western News Thursday interview with Dr. Stan Glycerrhizin molecule Taylor 8:00am-5:00pm CLOSED Van Uum warned that “binge eating the popular InfoDesk 9:00am- 5:00pm CLOSED confectionary can send your blood pressure Research 1:00pm-3:00pm CLOSED soaring, as well as cause Help dramatically lower levels of potassium in the body, resulting in abnormal heart Monday May 22 is Victoria Day rhythms and even paralysis”. Moderation is key: avoid eating The Library will be CLOSED in excess of 150 g/day. The seeds of anise, star anise, and fennel contain the chemical anethole, which is similar in taste to licorice. These are regu- larly used for cooking and are a key ingredient in arak, ab- sinthe, Ja germeister, ouzo, and sambuca. Star anise is also a major source of shikimic acid for synthesizing the anti- influenza drug Tamiflu. Shikimic Acid Anethole

Kirk, R. E., & Othmer, D. F. (2014). Kirk-othmer encyclopedia of chemical technology. New York: Wiley.

Mayne, P. (2017). Research shows black licorice packs a potent punch. Western News. Retrieved from https://news.westernu.ca/2017/04/not-sweet-research-shows-black-licorice-packs-potent-punch- patients/

Omar, H. R., Komarova, I., El-Ghonemi, M., Fathy, A., Rashad, R., Abdelmalak, H. D., … Camporesi, E. M. (2012). Licorice abuse: time to send a warning message. Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism, 3(4), 125–138. http://doi.org/10.1177/2042018812454322

PubChem. (2017). Glycyrrhizic Acid. Retrieved from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/637563

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