Beetroot, pigment and temperature.

[michal]

Hi everybody, I am doing the plan for AS coursework.
Im going to investigate the effect of temperature on the release of the pigment in a beetroot.

I basically know, what I am going to do. Cut the beetroot thinly to increase surface area and so on but, what temperatures do i choose? I set up with 20,30,40,50 and 60. Do you think they'll be all right? Or should i choose a smaller/wider range?

Also, my teacher suggested that I should let the temperature to damage the cells for about 8 minutes, but she also added, im going to need to add some time for the pigment to leak out. How much and why that much? Currently Ive set it to be 45 minutes, but with no scientific reason. -Did some research, the why is very simple - the pigment has to be allowed some time to diffuse, not too long though

Moreover: once ill take out the tubes with beetroots from waterbaths, how do I stop the damage from continuing? (I mean, once the water in a tube is about 80 deg. Celsius, the damage is going to take place after taking the tubes out of water baths => it stops being a fair test). One way is to cool the tubes under running tap water, just to minimalise the error. Any clues?

Thanks in advance

Regards

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Oh come on folks, you must know something!