Vinegar does not have ascorbic acid, and therefore it did not work. Therefore, ascorbic acid will prevent the apple from browning until all the acid is used up. Ascorbic acid will react with the oxygen before the oxygen reacts with the enzyme in the apple. Lemon juice contains ascorbic acid or Vitamin C. So either we made an error in the experiment, or something else is at play here. However, vinegar has a low pH level as well and it seemed to have accelerated the browning. Since lemon juice worked so well, we at first thought acidic liquids, or liquids with a low pH level, would prevent the apple from browning. You can slow down oxidation by not allowing oxygen to react with the PPO in the fruit. The chemical reaction between the PPO and oxygen produces melanin, which is what gives the apple flesh the brown color. When you slice open an apple, the PPO reacts with the oxygen in the air and enzymatic browning occurs. Science Behind Why Apples Turn BrownĪpples contain an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase (PPO). To understand the results, let’s explore the science behind oxidation. Interestingly, vinegar seemed to have accelerated the browning process instead of slowing it down. When it comes to preventing an apple slice from browning, the winner is salt water! The lemon juice was a close second. And last but not least, the apple slice in milk is rock hard. The apple slice in salt water felt like a sponge. You can also lightly squish the apple slices to feel the difference in texture.
#Crisp green apple color free#
Apple oxidation experiment free worksheet (download directions at the bottom of the post).
Here are what we used, but feel free to use whatever you have around the house:
#Crisp green apple color how to#
Now, let’s get to the experiment that will test the apple browning experiment hypothesis! How to Set Up the Apple Oxidation Experiment Materials:
Have your child predict which liquid will work the best and record it on the free apple oxidation experiment worksheet. Hypothesis: Dipping the apple slices in a liquid will slow the browning process. Question: What will keep the apple from turning brown? Observation: The apple turns brown when you slice it open and leave it out. The Scientific Methodīefore we start the experiment, walk your child through the scientific method. This is a great experiment to guide your kid through the scientific method of making an observation, asking a question, forming a hypothesis, designing an experiment, analyzing the data, and forming a conclusion. We will also test to see whether or not salt, vinegar, and other liquids keep apples from browning. In this apple oxidation experiment, we are going to explore the chemical reaction that turns the apple brown. And perhaps he also challenged with a follow-up question – how do you prevent the apple from turning brown? Why do apples turn brown? I bet your curious child has asked you that at one point or another.
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