How do apple cores decay the fastest?

Transcription

1 How do apple cores decay the fastest? Luisa S. Schrempf AHS Theodor Kramer, Vienna 18 th January, 2013 i

2 Table of contents Plagiarism Pledge... i Abstract... ii Zusammenfassung iii Acknowledgements. iv Introduction.. 1 Aim.. 2 Hypothesis.. 2 Method. 3 Results 5 Discussion of Results Discussion- Errors and Modifications Conclusions. 13 References.. 13 Appendices.. 14 ii

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4 Abstract Decaying is an important factor in the disposal of organic materials. The objective of this experiment was to find out how fast apple cores decay under different circumstances. In order to do this, five apple cores were exposed to five different environments, such as under a light or outside and observed every day. The data revealed that the apple core exposed to light all the time decayed at a much faster rate than the apple cores located outside and an apple core shut off from receiving light. The apple core did, however, decay at a similar speed to the control apple core, which was kept at room temperature and open to the air that is used as oxygen for humans. ii

5 Zusammenfassung Die Faeulnis ist ein wichtiger Faktor beim Abbau organischer Materialien. Das Ziel dieses Experiments war herauszufinden, wie schnell ein Apfelkerngehaeuse in verschiedenen Ausgangslagen verfault. Um dieses Ziel erreichen zu koennen, wurden fuenf Aepfel in fuenf verschiedenen Bedingungen untersucht. Eine Bedingung war unter einem Licht, zwei andere Aepfelgehaeuse befanden sich im Freien. Die Daten haben gezeigt, dass das Kerngehaeuse, das unter einem Licht platziert war, viel schneller verfault war als die Aefel die im Freien waren und das Apfelgehaeuse, das kein Tageslicht bekommen hatte. Jedoch ist dieser schnell verfaulte Apfel aehnlich schnell zersetzt wie das Kerngehaeuse, das als Kontrolle untersucht wurde. Das Kontroll-Apfelgehaeuse wurde bei Raumtemperatur und in der Luft, die Menschen ein- und ausatmen, gehalten. iii

6 Acknowledgements Special thanks to my mother, Catherine Prewett.-Schrempf, who gave me advice with this experiment. I would also like to thank her and my brother, Patrick Schrempf, for reading through my work and correcting it. I would like to thank my sister, Hannah Schrempf, and mother again, for giving me assistance when doing the daily observations. With this statement I would like to express my gratitude to my father, for lending me his camera for HD pictures. iv

7 Introduction The topic for this science project is to find out how apple cores decay the fastest under different conditions. This topic was chosen because it is a simple way of showing how quickly foods decompose and how different conditions can affect this. The materials needed can be found in most households and therefore it could easily be repeated. The main focus was how fast these apple cores decay, but their weight also played a significant role in the observations and results, as there is no way to test if the apple cores have experienced any forms of decaying. Decomposition is the process of cells in a core absorbing oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. During this process, the apple core is eaten by microorganisms, which break it up into organic materials, making this a chemical change. Apple cores decay much faster than the whole apple. The peel around the apple adds to its protection, but seeing as it was eaten to the core, there is much more flesh exposed to the air. Therefore, the cells in the core absorb more oxygen and release more carbon dioxide, adding to the speed of decaying. Apple cores have fully decayed after about two months. The warmer the air around the apple core is, the faster it decays. Mould usually lives on dead organic matter. It needs four things in order to grow: water, food, suitable air quality and temperature. 1 All living organisms require water to maintain synthesis and chemical reactions in the cells

8 The first step of decomposition is when the flesh left on the apple turns to sugar, which makes the outsides go brown. Then the sugar decomposes further into organic materials. A further sign of decay is when mould forms on the flesh of the apple core. Different types of mould can be observed in the decaying process of food. Such mould can be harmful for one s health if one tries to smell it, because it can harm the respiratory system. Eating mould is also injurious, but small amounts cannot harm people a lot as the immune system usually fights off invaders. Aim The aim of this experiment was to find out which of the five apple cores tested decayed the fastest and to be able to show the speed of this. Another goal was to know how to prevent foods from moulding in households, or how to slow the speed rate. Hypothesis Before the experiment had started, the apple core that was next to the window and whose jar was open was predicted to decay the fastest out of the five different apple cores. This prediction was based on the fact that the more oxygen that an apple core absorbs and lets off, the faster the rate of decay. Also, the apple core in the jar next to the window was predicted to be the one whose weight would reduce the quickest due to the same reasons given above. 2

9 Method The materials needed for the experiment are: - Five apple cores, almost the same size and the same weight - Five glass jars, which can be sealed properly (three of which will be open, though) - Five separate thermometers, all the same model, one in each jar - Tinfoil to cover jar A and jar D - Two different desk lights that will be swapped in case of the light bulb for jar B overheating - A cardboard box made of five sides with a hole where the light bulb will be able to shine through - A blanket to cover the cardboard box - Two small boxes to stand the desk light on - Scales to weigh the apples - Kitchen roll to dry out the different jars - A camera to take pictures of the apple cores every weekend Five different apple cores were tested, which were in five separate jars. Each jar was in a different surrounding. The jars were named from A to E and kept like that for a month. The five jars were checked every day for the four weeks. Observations were written down and pictures of the apples were taken every weekend. The temperature and whether there were fluids (condensation or juice the apple might have expelled during decaying) in the jar were checked every day. Any signs of decaying were noted. The weight of each apple core and if the flesh was brown was also written 3

10 down. Furthermore, a place to write any additional or relevant comments was kept on the observation sheets. Jar A was covered everywhere with tinfoil, letting in as little light as possible to the apple core. The jar was closed at all times, except when I checked the factors stated above. There was a thermometer checking the temperature in this jar at all times. Jar B was kept in a cardboard box with a blanket over it. There was a light in the box shining on the apple core 8-10 hours a day on average. Because of safety precautions it was not possible to have the light bulb on at all times. The apple was open to the air we breathe, but the blanket and box presumably made the air muffled and hot. There also was a thermometer in jar B. Jar C was always outside, with the jar sealed properly. The fluids inside the jar were tipped out and it was dried out regularly, trying to prevent these influencing the decaying of the core. As also in all the other jars, there was a thermometer in this jar. Jar D was outside as well, but the jar was open. It was on a terrace by the window, not entirely protected from unwanted influence, such as precipitation or intruding animals. To ensure extra protection, a lid out of tinfoil, with a lot of holes in it, making it as similar as possible to when it is open, was made. There was also a thermometer measuring the temperature in this jar. Jar E was on the windowsill indoors and open. As all radiators in the house are located under the windows, the jar on the windowsill was also located directly above a radiator, although this was not the most desirable location. There was a thermometer in this jar as well as in all the other jars. 4

11 Results Jar A Figure 1: Weight of apple A in grams Jar B Figure 2: Weight of apple B in grams 5

12 Jar C Figure 3: Weight of apple C in grams Jar D Figure 4: Weight of apple D in grams 6

13 Jar E Figure 5: Weight of apple E in grams Jar A Jar B Jar C Jar D Jar E Figure 6: Comparison of all apple cores 7

14 All jars on day 1 Jar A on day 28 8

15 Jar B on day 28 Jar C on day 28 9

16 Jar D on day 28 Jar E on day 28 10

17 Discussion of Results The first five graphs show the rate at which the five apple cores lost weight. Figure 6 shows all of the five separate graphs in one graph to show the comparison. The first thing that catches the eye in figure 6 is of course the weight loss apple B had experienced. The weight loss happened rapidly, which the steep downward curve indicates. It can also be seen how the weight stayed almost the same from days The apple core stayed at around five or six grams. Apple E also catches one s attention. As the light blue line in figure 6 shows, apple E had a steady, yet fast weight loss. At about seven grams, the process of losing weight slowed, as also stated about apple B. It can be noted that jar C and D, which were both located outdoors, show a similar weight loss. However, at day 20, apple C continued losing weight, whereas apple D remained at around 36 grams. Both lost weight significantly slowly. Up until day 12, apple A reduced weight slowly, but then the weight loss got faster, even though the process was still a lot slower than the process of jar B and E. Interpreted from the data, jar E can be clarified as the fastest in decaying. Part of the hypothesis stated above (turn to page 2) was proven to be right. It was proven that out of the five apple cores it decayed the fastest, but the weight did not go down the fastest. Jar B s weight dropped the fastest at first, but almost stayed the same for over a week (see figure 2). However, in figure 5 you can note that the weight apple E lost went down more steadily than apple B (can also be seen in figure 6). Taking this into account, it can be interpreted that the second part of the hypothesis was analyzed as wrong. The weight of apple E did not drop the fastest. 11

18 It is clarified that when an apple with light and warmth has reached about six grams, it slows down its process of decaying. It is not clear if this happens to all apples. Discussion- Errors and Modifications The main error with the experiment was that there was not enough time for all, or even one of the apple cores to fully decay. If there had been time to complete the experiment, there would have been more data to work with and find out more about the rates of decaying. The size of the apples will have affected how fast they decayed, as they were not the same size, but same weight. The more or less flesh there is exposed to the air, the faster or slower the apple core will decay. Unfortunately this was not thought of as a problem before the experiment was started and only realized near the end of the 28 days. Furthermore, the scales that were used to weigh the apples were not 100% accurate, as was also realized after the experiment had already been completed. The scales may have changed the recordings of the weight of the individual apples and also influenced the data. Another problem might have been that the light for jar B was not on the same amount of time every day, which will have influenced the speed of decaying every day, and also my data. This was not my error but a safety precaution, and I could not influence these to have it my way for my experiment. 12

19 Conclusions What can be concluded from this experiment is that light and air getting to apple cores, and as a prediction to other foods as well, adds to the speed of decaying. What can also be taken from the data is that by keeping apple cores in a fruit basket, they will most likely decay faster than when put in the refrigerator. Based on the experiment, it is possible to interpret that apple cores in warmer climates decay much faster than in colder climates. Food that is exposed to a lot of light and warmth decomposes faster, which is a reason why you put food into the freezer or fridge, where it is kept cool and where there is no light, except for when you open it. References

20 Appendices On the following pages (page 19-34) the daily observation sheets can be found. 14

21 Jar A - Week 1 Time Temperature (in C) Water in jar? Decaying Weight (in g) Browning? Comments Day :11 21 no no 46g slightly Day :53 17 no no 45g yes Day : drop dripped out no 45g yes Day :30 17 condensation no 45g yes Day :25 17 no no 44g yes hair?! Day :19 17 no no 45g yes Very hairy Day :26 17 Yes (condensation) no 44g yes 15 Black, hairy More hair, but same length

22 Jar A - Week 2 Time Temperature (in C) Water in jar? Decaying Weight (in g) Browning? Comments Day :54 16 yes no 43g yes Day :28 16 yes no 43g yes Stinks! (very bad) Very hairy More hair Stinky Day :30 15 yes no 42g yes More hair, but shorter Day :36 16 yes Getting smaller? 41g Yes + blue More hair, but shorter + blue Stinky Day :34 16 yes Getting smaller? 41g yes So much more hair! Blue & bit black Day :46 16 Yes (juice?) Getting smaller 37g yes Less hair, black spots, soft Fermenting Day :39 16 Yes (juice?) yes 36g yes Less hair, black spots, soft, mushy Fermenting 16

23 Jar A - Week 3 Time Temperature (in C) Water in jar? Decaying Weight (in g) Browning? Comments Day :44 15 yes yes 34g yes Day :32 15 Yes (juice) yes 32g yes Day :37 16 Yes (juice) yes 31g yes Day :04 15 Yes (juice) yes 30g yes Day :55 15 Day :44 15 Not as much juice as normally Not as much juice as normally Day :25 12 Only tiny bit juice yes 29g yes yes 29g yes yes 29g yes 17 Cripple, stinky, more juice Stinky, little hair, blue mould Mainly mush Stinky, new white + blue mould Mushy Stinky (very) Much smaller Blue + white mould Stinks the most Squished, mushy, much smaller Blue + white mould (more or less) Stinks the most Squished, mushy, much smaller Blue + white mould (more or less) Very, very stinky & squished Less mush, more blue mould (more or less)

24 Jar A - Week 4 Time Temperature (in C) Water in jar? Decaying Weight (in g) Browning? Comments Day :00 13 Very little juice Day :44 16 Few drops apple juice Day : Few drops apple juice Day :45 17 Few drops juice yes 28g yes yes 28g yes yes 27g yes yes 26g yes Very stinky, more blue & white mould (more or less) Stinky/ same mould Mushy (more or less) Stinky More mould (blue/grey + white) Even more blue-like & white mould! Stinky & mushy Day : Few drops juice yes 26g yes Day :00 16 A bit juice yes 25g yes More mould (same kind) Stinky Mushy + squashed Stinky, same amount of mould Even more squashed & mushy Day : A bit apple juice yes 25g yes 18 Stinky & more mould (white + blue-like) Even more squashed, squared & mushy

25 Jar B - Week 1 Time Temperature (in C) Water in jar? Decaying Weight (in g) Browning? Comments Day :11 21 no no 46g slightly Day : no slightly 40g yes The brownest of all Day :06 23 no Getting smaller 35g Almost all brown Getting smaller Day :30 24 no smaller 32g yes mould! Day :25 23 no yes 28g yes Even smaller + more mould Day :19 23 no yes 24g yes Even smaller + more mould Day :26 17 no yes 21g Mostly white + black now Smaller Very much mould 19

26 Jar B - Week 2 Time Temperature (in C) Water in jar? Decaying Weight (in g) Browning? Comments Day :54 22 no yes 19g Mostly white + black Day :28 23 no yes 15g Black + white dry Day : no yes 12g Black + white, also blue Very small Day :36 22 no yes 11g Black & white Very small Day : no yes 10g Day :46 24 no yes 8g Black & white, tiny bit brown Black & white, tiny bit brown Dry, very small Very small Day :39 23 no yes 7g Black + white Hard, dry, small 20

27 Jar B - Week 3 Time Temperature (in C) Water in jar? Decaying Weight (in g) Browning? Comments Day :44 18 no yes 7g Black + white Hard + dry Day :32 21 no yes 7g Day :37 23 no yes 6g Mainly black + white (tiny bit brown) Mainly black + white (tiny bit brown) Hard, dry Stinks (a bit) Shrivelled up Hard & dry Smaller than my pinkie Day :04 20 no yes 6g Day :55 21 no yes 6g Day :44 23 no yes 6g 21 Mainly black + white (ends are brown) Ends are brown, but mostly black + white Ends are brown, but mostly black + white Day :25 20 no yes 5g Ends are brown Hard & dry Shrivelled Hard & dry Small Hard + dry + small Hard + dry + small

28 Jar B - Week 4 Time Temperature (in C) Water in jar? Decaying Weight (in g) Browning? Comments Day :00 20 no yes 6g Day :44 22 no yes 6g Day :21 23 no yes 6g Ends + middle brown Ends + bit of middle brown Ends + bit of middle brown Hard + dry + small Hard + dry Very hard Day :45 22 no yes 4g Ends are brown Day :03 21 no yes 6g Little brown left Day :00 22 no yes 6g Little bit less brown Day :31 23 no yes 6g Little bit less brown Very hard! Very hard + dry + small! Looks same as five days ago Smaller? 22

29 Jar C - Week 1 Time Temperature (in C) Water in jar? Decaying Weight (in g) Browning? Comments Day :11 21 no no 46g slightly Day :53 7 Condensation (a little) no 46g yes Less browning than jar D Day :06 7 condensation no 46g yes Less browning that jar D Day :30 9 Condensation (a lot) Day :25 7 Condensation (a lot) no 45g yes no 45g Yes (not a lot) Day :19 6 condensation no 44g yes Almost no change since first day! Day :26 4 A lot of condensation no 44g Yes (not a lot) 23

30 Jar C - Week 2 Time Temperature (in C) Water in jar? Decaying Weight (in g) Browning? Comments Day :54 2 yes no 43g yes Day :28 9 condensation no 43g Yes (not a lot) Day :30 2 condensation no 43g yes Mould building? Day :36 2 condensation no 43g yes Black/ dark brown something Day :34-2 condensation Getting smaller at bottom? 42g yes Brown something is bigger Day :46-4 Condensation (a lot) Getting smaller at bottom? 41g yes Brown something is bigger Day :39-4 condensation slightly 41g yes Brown something is bigger 24

31 Jar C - Week 3 Time Temperature (in C) Water in jar? Decaying Weight (in g) Browning? Comments Day :44-2 yes yes 40g yes Stinky, black Day :32 1 Yes (not a lot) Day :37-2 Yes (not a lot) yes 39g yes yes 39g yes More black stuff Turned core around Buckled at bottom Mushy, black, stinky Day :04-3 yes yes 38g yes Day :55-5 condensation yes 36g yes Buckled at bottom Mushy, black, stinky Stinky, mushy, black Still buckled Day :44-2 A bit condensation Day :25 2 A bit condensation yes 36g yes yes 36g yes 25 Stinky, mushy Bit more black Stinky, mushy Bit more black

32 Jar C - Week 4 Time Temperature (in C) Water in jar? Decaying Weight (in g) Browning? Comments Day :00 1 yes yes 35g yes Day :44-3 Yes (a little) yes 34g yes Mushy, black, squashed Mushy, squashed, bit (less?) black Day :21 2 Yes (a little) yes 33g yes Mushy, more black spots Day :45 3 Very little condensation yes 32g yes Very mushy, stinky Day :03-1 yes yes 31g yes Day : Yes (+ apple juice) yes 30g yes Very many black thread-like things appeared, do not stand away! Mushy, stinky (very) squashed Stinky A lot of black stuff Day :31 0 A drop of apple juice + condensation yes 30g yes 26 Stinky, mushy More black stuff

33 Jar D - Week 1 Time Temperature (in C) Water in jar? Decaying Weight (in g) Browning? Comments Day :11 21 no no 46g slightly Day :53 6 A bit of condensation + rain no 45g yes Day :06 7 condensation no 45g yes About as brown as jar E Day :30 8 condensation no 44g yes Day :25 6 condensation no 43g yes Day :19 5 A little bit condensation no 43g yes Day :26 1 condensation no 42g yes 27

34 Jar D - Week 2 Time Temperature (in C) Water in jar? Decaying Weight (in g) Browning? Comments Day :54 2 Condensation (not a lot) Day :28 9 Condensation (not a lot) Day :30 1 Condensation + snow no 41g yes no 41g yes no 41g yes Day :36 1 condensation Getting smaller? 41g Yes (not a lot) Dry Day :34-2 condensation Getting smaller? 40g yes Dry Day :46-7 condensation no? 40g yes Dry Day :39-4 condensation yes 39g yes Dry 30

35 Jar D - Week 3 Time Temperature (in C) Water in jar? Decaying Weight (in g) Browning? Comments Day :44-2 yes slightly 39g yes Day :32 1 Yes (tiny bit) slightly 38g yes Only brown Getting smaller Day :37-3 Yes (tiny bit) slightly 39g yes Smells like normal apple Drier Day :04-3 condensation Getting smaller 37g yes Even drier Day :55-6 Very little condensation Day :44-3 Tiny bit condensation yes 36g yes yes 36g yes Signs of mould! (black spots) Dry Signs of mould! (black spots) Dry Day :25 2 Tiny bit condensation + bit rain yes 36g yes Same black stuff Dry 30

36 Jar D - Week 4 Time Temperature (in C) Water in jar? Decaying Weight (in g) Browning? Comments Day :00 1 yes yes 37g yes Dry, more brown Day :44-3 Tiny bit of condensation Day :21 2 Tiny bit of condensation yes 38g yes yes 37g yes Dry Dry More brown + black spots Day :45 3 no yes 37g yes More black/ blue spots Dry but soft Day :03-1 A drop of condensation yes 37g yes Larger spots, not more Softening up Day : Tiny bit yes 36g yes Day :31 0 Tiny bit condensation yes 36g yes 30 More brown mush Short hair More black Hairy Black spots + big brown patch

37 Jar E - Week 1 Time Temperature (in C) Water in jar? Decaying Weight (in g) Browning? Comments Day :11 21 no no 46g slightly Day :53 19 no no 42g yes Day :06 15 no no 40g yes Not much browner than yesterday Day :30 16 no no 38g yes Less browning than yesterday?? Day :25 17 no A bit 37g yes Getting smaller Day :19 16 no Getting smaller 34g yes Day :26 16 no About the same as yesterday 32g yes Some mould 31

38 Jar E - Week 2 Time Temperature (in C) Water in jar? Decaying Weight (in g) Browning? Comments Day :54 16 no yes 29g yes Day :28 17 no yes 27g yes Soft with mould Turned apple upside-down Little more mould Day :30 15 no yes 25g yes Day :36 15 no yes 24g yes Bottom side is also mouldy (because it was turned over) More mould (ratherblue) More mould (blue + white) Hairy Day :34 15 no yes 22g yes Small More mould (blue + white) Day :46 15 no yes 20g yes Day :39 16 no yes 18g yes Stinks Bruising Less mould? stinks 32

39 Jar E - Week 3 Time Temperature (in C) Water in jar? Decaying Weight (in g) Browning? Comments Day :44 15 no yes 17g yes Day :32 16 no yes 16g yes Weird orange + brown things Stinky Same orange + brown stuff Stinky Day :37 16 no yes 14g yes Day :04 15 no yes 12g yes Day :55 15 no yes 10g yes Day :44 15 no yes 10g yes Day :25 12 no yes 9g yes Same orange + brown stuff Stinky Hardening Same orange + brown stuff Stinky Hardening, but mushy at top Stinky Less orange, less mush (Apples all stink in the same way) Beige + orange + brown Stinky Less mush Beige + orange + brown Stinky Less mush 33

40 Jar E - Week 4 Time Temperature (in C) Water in jar? Decaying Weight (in g) Browning? Comments Day :00 16 no yes 8g yes Day :44 16 no yes 7g yes Brown + orange Harder + drier Stinky Still mushy Day :21 17 no yes 7g yes Day :45 17 no yes 6g yes Day : no yes 6g yes Day :00 17 no yes 6g yes Fell on the floor (cleaner was here today) Stinky Not much mush Stinky Smaller Not much mush Stinky Smaller Not much mush New little blue thing smaller Day :31 16 no yes 5g yes Crumpled, browner, smaller New bit of white 34