Comment by nkozyra

7 years ago

Doesn't overcooking produce the sulfur smell due to excessive denaturing of the protein?

How does denaturing a protein release sulfur? I never actually thought of where that sulfur comes of, and I don't know enough bio/chem if that should be obvious from "denaturing of the protein".

  • I assumed it was in amino acid side chains, but it's not my area of expertise. I do know that sulfides are part of some amino acids.

The egg yolk is high sulfur. The egg white is high protein.

So I doubt that.

  • I thought it was the white that has the sulphur. A quick Google seems to confirm that, but more to the point I find the white has a hint of it in its flavour.

    According to this page [1] 'Each egg yolk contains 0.016 milligram of sulfur, and the white contains 0.195 milligram, according to B. Srilakshmi, author of "Food Science." '

    [1] https://www.livestrong.com/article/289250-list-of-foods-high...

    • A quick google will equally confirm whichever answer you are trying to confirm. Some sites say it's the yolk. Others say it's the white.

      Opposite example:

      List of Foods That Contain Sulfur

      Eggs. The yolk portion of an egg is high in sulfur.

      https://livewell.jillianmichaels.com/list-foods-contain-sulf...

      I have yet to find anything reliable, like a .gov site, addressing the question.

      Sulfur issues run in my family. I have to limit my consumption of sulfur.

      It's the yolk that's an issue for me, not the white, fwiw.

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