In March of 2007 a number of pets were sickened or killed by pet food contaminated with the chemical melamine (C₃H₆N₆)which is used in the manufacture of certain plastics. It is thought that the melamine was added to make a pet food additive appear to have more protein than it really did. Protein content is determined by measuring the %N by mass in food because protein is the main source of nitrogen in food. Proteins are composed of amino acids so the %N by mass of a protein reflects the %N of the individual amino acids. Alanine is a typical amino acid and has the formula C₃H₇NO₂. Calculate the %N by mass in melamine and alanine. Why would adding a small amount of melamine make something appear to have a high protein content?

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The Answer of In March of 2007 a number of pets were sickened or killed by pet food contaminated with the chemical melamine (C₃H₆N₆)which is used in the manufacture of certain plastics. It is thought that the melamine was added to make a pet food additive appear to have more protein than it really did. Protein content is determined by measuring the %N by mass in food because protein is the main source of nitrogen in food. Proteins are composed of amino acids so the %N by mass of a protein reflects the %N of the individual amino acids. Alanine is a typical amino acid and has the formula C₃H₇NO₂. Calculate the %N by mass in melamine and alanine. Why would adding a small amount of melamine make something appear to have a high protein content?

In March of 2007 a Number of Pets Were Sickened