Module 3

MODULE 3

Phytochemistry at home

I used a lemon as my citrus fruit for this experiment.  See results in link below!

CITRUS EXPERIMENT

The RESULTS of this experiment were basically a reaction that occurred between squeezing the juice on the candle and the fire.  The fire sparked up in the direction of the lemon peel.  Citrus fruit has volatile oils and limonene that could cause this reaction.  LIMONENE is a liquid hydrocarbon with a strong smell.  It is a type of terpene. It is sensitive to light. It has 2 regions of electron density that are very reactive, which probably accounts for what we saw in the reaction!  Limonene is also readily flammable, so dripping it onto fire would also result in what we saw.  This experiment was really interesting to see how the phytochemicals really do play a role.