Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

where can I get cheap vitamins to test plant growth with pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee asap thanks a bunch

Good morning,

You did not say which vitamins you plan to test or what price range you are looking for, so we will just have to guess that you will use the commonest ones--C, D, E, B1, B2, etc. Also, you did not say whether you plan to test the pure vitamin or a supplement as available for human use. Pure vitamins would be the proper choice for a scientific test since they contain only the vitamin, but they would also cost much more than a bottle of vitamin supplement. Pure vitamins are available from Sigma/Aldrich Chemical Company and have to be ordered by your school because they do not sell to individuals:

http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/united-states.html

Assuming that you decide to use a supplement, you will not need that much to treat a few plants so pick the smallest bottle, lowest dose and the least expensive brand. Try to use the same brand for all the vitamins because the various formulations contain compounds other than vitamins and these could affect plant growth and development by themselves. Also keep in mind that some vitamins, like E and D are not soluble in water.

Check discount stores for the lowest prices.

When you do the write-up on this experiment be sure to explain why you think vitamins that are needed by animals for their metabolic processes will have any effect on plants. Plants do not have the same enzymatic reactions as animals and do not require the same cofactors. The effect of an animal vitamin on a plant, if any, may be unrelated to its normal metabolic function in animals.

If you have more specific questions, let us know. Good luck!

Sybee