May 31, 2016

Did you know that centuries before Listerine came about, urine was used as mouthwash? The Greeks were the ones who began the fad. Why? Urine contains ammonia which not only kills bacteria, but can also whiten teeth. The Roman aristocrats purchased theirs from far away places, like Portugal. The more exotic the urine, the whiter your teeth will be...or so they believed.

May 30, 2016

Did you know that there is a tree that bleeds? Well...maybe not blood but it sure looks like it. The dragon's blood tree is native to Socotra, an island located in the Indian Ocean. Its name comes from the fact it produces a red sap, which has been used in traditional medicine. However that's not the only unique characteristic of this tree. Its appearance resembles an upside umbrella because only the youngest branches produce leaves.

May 10, 2016

Did you know that the Kasugai Flower's Kiss candy not actually made of flowers? It is actually made of plum and condensed milk! Despite the ingredients, the candy does give off a flowery scent and the delicious sweetness always reminds me of spring. But be careful! Three bite size pieces is a serving and each serving is 70 calories...I won't say how many I've eaten already. >.<

May 3, 2016

Did you know that in Japan, Hina Matsuri (雛祭り) is celebrated on March 3rd? Hina Matsuri, also known as Girls' Day and Doll Festival, is celebrated by displaying hina ningyo (雛人形) on a platform covered in red carpet. The dolls represent members of the imperial court. Family members gather together to enjoy snacks, like hina arare (雛あられ), and wish the girls good health and happiness. It is said that hina matsuri came about from nagashi bina (流し雛), a custom in which paper dolls (with bad luck written on the backs) were placed on small straw boats and floated down rivers. It was believed to dispel impurities and misfortune.

May 2, 2016

Did you know that high fructose corn syrup is made from cornstarch by converting glucose into fructose? This conversion is possible thanks to the amazing glucose isomerase, which is found in many species of bacteria. (Unfortunately organic chemistry was never forte but I tried to understand the process.) When the glucose enters the active site of the enzyme, a histidine residue catalyzes a proton transfer to an oxygen molecule. After gaining the positive hydrogen, the oxygen breaks its bond with a carbon. The carbon then creates a pi bond with another oxygen, forming an open chain. The metals in the enzyme catalyze a hydride shift creating a carbocation. The resonance structure allows the sugar to become an enol. However enols are reactive and will react with surrounding water molecules, leading up to fructose.