What I have said will go to prove that true science is the, one which teaches us to increase our satisfaction by drawing out the best from nature's productions. M. Henri Braconnot Nancy, 4th April 1830 (Extract from the Note on Casein and Milk, Annales de Chimie et de Physique (1830) 43, 351.) The main objective of this work is to provide a biochemical approach for students of food science and technology. It may also be useful to biologists generally and to biochemists in particular in providing a source of reference to help resolve some of their problems. Finally, professionals in the food industry will find here detailed information on aspects of biotechnology. With the continuing development of teaching in this field in the mainstream courses of Instituts Universitaires de Technologiet, Universities and Grandes Ecoles:j: in France, the need for an Abn?ge (Essential Guide) has become urgent. Students have to refer to various specialist works, which are considerable in number, expensive and often out of date. The authors were faced with the task of selecting material and presenting it in such a way that the finished book would be reduced to a size in keeping with the spirit of the Abrege collection.