The Task
My group, Ryan, Sarah, Elliott, and I, were assigned the task to find, research, and provide a potential solution to a water related problem. Many groups focused on filters and sewer systems for their project. However, our group interpreted this project very differently (with Ms. Vogl's consent). Instead of focusing on filtration or sewers, we researched nutrition and vitamin drinks. Our group tackled the project of creating a vitamin drink that has more vitamins and less sugar than conventional vitamin water.
The Initial Research
To start this project, we had to think of a water-related problem that could be solved with chemistry. Many groups chose the filtration of water and sewage system, but we chose something different. We decided to focus on malnutrition. Our solution was to create a vitamin water drink that had more vitamins and less sugar than leading brands. To do this, we would have to figure out what vitamins people need, the best sources for them, and the best way to remove sugar from liquid. This required an immense amount of research and a "Food Log". The log consisted of the 4 people in this project recording what they ate and recording the nutritional value of each member. To summarize, everyone was lacking in vitamins and minerals, especially the B vitamins. After this research, we looked for some kind of fruit we could put in vitamin water to add missing vitamins. It worked.
Powerprune: An Analysis
Prunes are high in potassium, vitamin K, iron, and multiple B vitamins. All of these vitamins are absent in normal vitamin water. Thus, prunes are an excellent addition to the drink. The drink consists of 550mL of vitamin water and 50mL of concentrated prune juice (juice from 15 prunes). After that, using yeast bacteria, we would ferment the drink. Fermentation will break down the glucose, fructose, and sucrose in the drink, making it healthier overall.
It is true that prunes are laxatives, and concentrated prunes may lead to excessive defecation and an overall loss of water and nutrients. We made the assumption that, since were not putting the skin into the drink, then a lot of the laxative chemical, senna, would be left behind.
It is true that prunes are laxatives, and concentrated prunes may lead to excessive defecation and an overall loss of water and nutrients. We made the assumption that, since were not putting the skin into the drink, then a lot of the laxative chemical, senna, would be left behind.
The Final Product
This is the presentation we created for the project. We open up with initial research, then transition into the "Food Log", then explain the procedure for creating the Powerprune drink, its cost, and future plans. Overall, it was a very in-depth analysis of prunes that took into account most things.
Part of this project involved the creation of an aqueous solution of prunes. We created a solution in which the water was the solvent and the solute was prune juice created from 15 prunes. We were unable to calculate the concentration of prunes due to measurement difficulties, but we would if we had more time.
Part of this project involved the creation of an aqueous solution of prunes. We created a solution in which the water was the solvent and the solute was prune juice created from 15 prunes. We were unable to calculate the concentration of prunes due to measurement difficulties, but we would if we had more time.
Important Concepts
Nutrient - A nutrient is a term for a substance that is needed for the health of our bodies. Nutrients can be vitamins or minerals. Both are necessary for human bodily functions.
Vitamin A - This is a vitamin that is good for the eyes. It helps prevent eye disorders and is necessary for good vision. Vitamin A is found in butter and soy. Vitamin A comes from our vitamin water, but there's a little in the prunes.
B Vitamins - The B vitamins have a huge variety of functions because there's so many. Some treat the digestive system. B vitamins are found in both vitamin water and prunes, so a person will get a substantial amount of both.
Vitamin C - Vitamin C prevents scurvy and provides energy. Vitamin C comes from the vitamin water, so that will be the main source.
Vitamin E - Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect our bodies from damage. It is an important vitamin. A little vitamin E is in the prunes, but most comes from the vitamin water.
Vitamin K - This vitamin improves bone metabolism and blood clotting. It also helps regulates blood calcium levels. Vitamin K is found in the vitamin water and a huge amount is in prunes.
Iron - Iron is a very important component of hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Hemoglobin represents about 2/3 of the body's iron. Iron is found in prunes, but not a substantial amount.
Potassium - Potassium is closely related to electrolytes. It helps regulate fluid balance, muscle contractions, and nerve signals. Potassium is found in prunes and is the main nutrient we're obtaining from creating prune juice.
Calcium - Calcium is necessary for bone structure, growth, and health. In Powerprune, a little bit is found in the vitamin water and prunes.
Sodium - Sodium helps in maintaining homeostasis and keeping fluids at a normal balance. Salt is pretty much all sodium. Salt is found in most diets, so putting it into Powerprune wasn't necessary.
Solution - A solution is a mixture of two substances. In solutions, there is a solute that dissolves into the solvent.
Solvent - A solvent is a substance that dissolves the solute. In this case, water is the solvent. This also means that we have an aqueous solution, or a solution where the solvent is water.
Solute - A solute is a substance that is dissolved by the solvent. In this case, the insides of the prunes is the solute. The solute was created using a cheesecloth.
Fermentation - Fermentation is a process in which sugars are broken down by bacteria. Alcohol is usually created as a byproduct. In this project, if we had more time, we would ferment the drink using yeast bacteria. Then, we would boil out the alcohol, creating a vitamin drink with more nutrients and less sugar.
Vitamin A - This is a vitamin that is good for the eyes. It helps prevent eye disorders and is necessary for good vision. Vitamin A is found in butter and soy. Vitamin A comes from our vitamin water, but there's a little in the prunes.
B Vitamins - The B vitamins have a huge variety of functions because there's so many. Some treat the digestive system. B vitamins are found in both vitamin water and prunes, so a person will get a substantial amount of both.
Vitamin C - Vitamin C prevents scurvy and provides energy. Vitamin C comes from the vitamin water, so that will be the main source.
Vitamin E - Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps protect our bodies from damage. It is an important vitamin. A little vitamin E is in the prunes, but most comes from the vitamin water.
Vitamin K - This vitamin improves bone metabolism and blood clotting. It also helps regulates blood calcium levels. Vitamin K is found in the vitamin water and a huge amount is in prunes.
Iron - Iron is a very important component of hemoglobin in the red blood cells. Hemoglobin represents about 2/3 of the body's iron. Iron is found in prunes, but not a substantial amount.
Potassium - Potassium is closely related to electrolytes. It helps regulate fluid balance, muscle contractions, and nerve signals. Potassium is found in prunes and is the main nutrient we're obtaining from creating prune juice.
Calcium - Calcium is necessary for bone structure, growth, and health. In Powerprune, a little bit is found in the vitamin water and prunes.
Sodium - Sodium helps in maintaining homeostasis and keeping fluids at a normal balance. Salt is pretty much all sodium. Salt is found in most diets, so putting it into Powerprune wasn't necessary.
Solution - A solution is a mixture of two substances. In solutions, there is a solute that dissolves into the solvent.
Solvent - A solvent is a substance that dissolves the solute. In this case, water is the solvent. This also means that we have an aqueous solution, or a solution where the solvent is water.
Solute - A solute is a substance that is dissolved by the solvent. In this case, the insides of the prunes is the solute. The solute was created using a cheesecloth.
Fermentation - Fermentation is a process in which sugars are broken down by bacteria. Alcohol is usually created as a byproduct. In this project, if we had more time, we would ferment the drink using yeast bacteria. Then, we would boil out the alcohol, creating a vitamin drink with more nutrients and less sugar.
Reflection
This project is by far the most ridiculous project I have ever attempted; just the idea of fermenting prune juice is far-fetched. However, despite that, this was probably one of the most fun projects I have ever done because it was so outlandish and unique and was just a fun idea to play around with. Throughout the project, I had multiple strengths and weaknesses. One of my main strengths was my presentation work. I did a lot of work on the slideshow and formatted it a lot. I contributed a lot of work on the procedure and formatted the "Food Log". I also did a good job during the actual presentation by asking the judges and audience rhetorical questions such as "What did you eat yesterday?". This helped improve the overall quality of the presentation. Another strength I had was my conception of the recipe. A huge part of the project was creating the Powerprune recipe. I brought vitamin water and used one of my teammate's prunes in order to create the best possible recipe. This recipe was critical to the success of our project, as well as figuring out fermentation.
I also had some noticeable weaknesses on the project. One weakness was my procrastination. I did get a lot of work done, but all of this work was finished the day before the presentation. I stayed up late finishing the presentation, so better time management would've helped. Furthermore, I waited far too long to finish my "Food Log". If I managed my time better, I would've been more effective. Another weakness I had was the physical creation of the prune drink. I didn't really squeeze out prune juice; instead, other teammates covered that. As a result, I had no experience with the squeezing portion, nor any information on the concentration of prunes in the aqueous solution. These weaknesses posted some difficulties that hindered the group.
Although I had my problems, I also had a lot of fun doing this project. It was a ridiculous project that we took very far and had a blast doing. I can't wait to do the next project.
I also had some noticeable weaknesses on the project. One weakness was my procrastination. I did get a lot of work done, but all of this work was finished the day before the presentation. I stayed up late finishing the presentation, so better time management would've helped. Furthermore, I waited far too long to finish my "Food Log". If I managed my time better, I would've been more effective. Another weakness I had was the physical creation of the prune drink. I didn't really squeeze out prune juice; instead, other teammates covered that. As a result, I had no experience with the squeezing portion, nor any information on the concentration of prunes in the aqueous solution. These weaknesses posted some difficulties that hindered the group.
Although I had my problems, I also had a lot of fun doing this project. It was a ridiculous project that we took very far and had a blast doing. I can't wait to do the next project.