why do apples turn brown?

SCIENTIFIC METHOD
experiment
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ts This activity is loaded with delicious fun and science!
to think more broadly about real- Learn what makes apples turn brown and test how to
world problems. keep them white with a hands-on experiment. The kids
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2. Easy to follow instructions for the experiment.
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(there’s no wrong answer in 3. Helpful lab worksheet to use with the experiment.
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SCIENTIFIC
METHOD
1. OBSERVE
2. ASK A QUESTION
3. DO RESEARCH
4. MAKE A HYPOTHESIS
5. EXPERIMENT
6. ANALYZE THE DATA
7. MAKE A CONCLUSION
8. REPORT THE FINDINGS
 WHAT MAKES APPLES TURN BROWN?

Use the scientific method to answer the classic question, why do apples turn brown?

What’s the STEAM Behind It?

Why do apples turn brown? They’re essentially rusting
in a process called oxidation. Once the apple is cut or
bruised, oxygen triggers an enzyme called polyphenol
oxidase to oxidize polyphenols in the flesh. Then
chemical products from the oxidation (o-quinones)
react with amino acids to create melanins which brown
the fruit. The oxidation process is also what causes
metals to rust.
The browning of apples can be reduced by slowing
oxidation in three different ways. 1) Cook the apples.
2) Reduce the exposure to oxygen. or 3) Reduce the pH
of the fruit. Covering apples with an acidic liquid is the
best way to keep them from turning brown without
cooking. This experiments tests for the best one!

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DIFFICULTY:
TIME: 30 minutes

SUPPLIES:
• Honey • 8 small cups, jars, or
• Lemon juice ramekins
• Salt • Knife or apple corer
• Vitamin C • Paper
• Lemon-lime soda • Pencil
• Carbonated water
• Tap water
• Apple

INSTRUCTIONS:
This experiment uses the Scientific Method to find the tastiest and most effective methods for
reducing oxidation of apples.
Ask a Question: What is the best way to prevent apples from turning brown?
Do Research: Check out the science behind apples turning brown.
Make a Hypothesis: Guess which acidic solution will keep the apples the whitest and taste the best.
Design an Experiment: Submerge cut apple pieces in 7 different solutions and observe how well
they work and how good they taste.
Make the Test Solutions:
• Honey: Dissolve 1 teaspoon honey in 1 cup water.
• Lemon juice: Mix 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 1 cup water.
• Salt: Dissolve 1/4 teaspoon salt in 1 cup water.
• Vitamin C: Crush 1 tablet vitamin C and dissolve in 1 cup water.
• Lemon-lime soda
• Carbonated water (bubble water)
• Tap water
• Control: no solution
Prepare the Test Environment:
1. Gather the test containers and label each with a test solution name.
2. Pour each test liquid into the appropriately labeled container.
3. Cut the apple into 8 pieces.
4. Place one apple slice in each test container and start a timer.
Record and Analyze Data:
1. Check the apple pieces after five minutes or when the control apple slice is significantly brown.
2. Pour off solutions, inspect the apples and record observations for level of brown color.
3. Then taste each apple piece and record observations on taste.
Draw a Conclusion:
1. Review the data and answer the question “What is the best way to prevent apples from turning
brown?”
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APPLE EXPERIMENT NAME:

OBSERVE: What happens AFTER AN APPLE IS CUT?

ASK A QUESTION:

DO RESEARCH: What do you know about apples and why they turn brown?

MAKE A HYPOTHESIS: Which Method will keep the apples the whitest and taste the best?

RECORD THE DATA: Record observations of color and taste for the apples in each of the
solutions using a 1 to 5 scale. For color, 1 = white, 5 = brown. For taste, 1 = yum!, 5 = yuck!

SOLUTION

Color

TASTE

DRAW A CONCLUSION: Which Method Worked Best? Why?

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