Have you ever noticed that if you leave an apple (or any fruit ) for too long it starts to decay or rot?
This is because micro-organisms such as bacteria, yeasts and fungi feed on the fruit and break it down. Have you also noticed that keeping fruit and vegetables in a fridge makes them last longer? This is because the cold slows down the growth and reproduction of microorganisms
Today we are looking at other ways to try to preserve apples.
What you need:
- One apple
- 4 containers
- lemon juice
- vinegar
- salt water ( 1 tablespoon salt dissolved in hot water )
Instructions
- Cut the apple into 4 even pieces.
- Place a segment of apple into each container.
- Cover each apple with the same amount of either lemon juice, vinegar or salt water. Leave one just exposed to the air ( this is the control ).
- Leave untouched for about a week in a cool place and observe the differences.
Results
Control Apple – you can see this has started to shrivel up, but there is not much evidence of mould.
Salt and vinegar ( vinegar is at the front )
Lemon Juice
The Science Bit
There are many mechanisms of preserving food, all slow or stop the activity of the micro-organisms which make the fruit rot.
As well as refrigeration, you can freeze, can or pickle foods to preserve them.
You can see from the photo’s that in our investigation the apple segment in the salt is the best preserved. This is because salt draws the moisture out of the food so the micro-organisms do not thrive and cannot reproduce as fast as they can in the other conditions.
The vinegar did prevent mould growing, this is because vinegar has anti-mcirobial properties. This means the vinegar inhibits or kills the microorganisms.
You can see that the lemon juice shows evidence of mould. This could be because the micro-organisms have flourished in the sugary environment.
Extension
Can you think of other things to try? What about bicarbonate of soda? Or trying different fruits?
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Another great experiment. Thank you so much.
I’m so glad you like them!
ewwww, wouldnt have expected that with the lemon juice….the husband left an apple on the side in the kitchen when we went away for a week last August, considering the heat that our kitchen reaches (it’s also a conservatory) I feared the worst……and was surprised that it looked exactly the same as when we left!
x
I know weird hey!
This reminds of the lyrics in the theme song for Sid the Science Kid
Cool idea. I’d have to make sure my son didn’t eat the experiment – mold and all!
sounds like my son.
What a great experiment. Must try it.
HA! I like Ali’s “Must try” comment above me.. though fascinating.. I am not sure I really want to try it… mouldy things.. yukky!
Thanks for sharing on Kids Get Crafty!
Maggy
ha ha, that made me laugh Maggy!
I remember doing a similar science experiment with bread in different conditions when in year 7 and then teaching the same experiment a umh number of years later – but this with apples would add a new spin on it.
Thank you for sharing with Tuesday Tots and look forward to seeing you again next week.
Ugh that lemon juice one is icky. I guess I’m still finding enough things like that by accident from forgetful kids that I”m not quite ready to try it
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