Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hi I need help with a school project. I want to determine the concentration of beta carotene but I don't know which method and tools to use . Please help!

Hello,

Please tell us more about your science project hypothesis and experimental design so that we can better assist you.

There are databases that already have concentrations of beta carotene measured for different foods if you just needed that reference.

If you are trying to test the concentration of several different carrots, there is chemistry involved that would most likely require you to have access to chemicals and equipment found in a chemistry laboratory.

Let us know what your ideas are so that we can help direct you better.

Thanks
Mrsdez

Yes, I would like to try to test out the concentration of several different carrots. They must have the same colour--orange, however, they must be of a different brand. I would like to find out which carrot has the highest percentage of beta carotene and then ask myself why some have less. I think that my hypothesis would be that carrots grown in fertile soil with lots of minerals will produce carrots with more beta carotene. Do you think that I could use my school laboratory or do i have to go and use a fancy laboratory.
I would like to use databases that have the concentrations of beta carotene measured in different foods. Do they ever discuss questions like: why there is more beta carotene in which foods?
Can soil affect the amount of beta carotene found in foods?
Thanks
Dee

Hi dee333,

Hmmm... Beta carotene testing will be difficult to test without access to a laboratory. I think a good alternative would be to test vitamin C in the carrots, since vitamin C test strips are easier to find. Here are some links to vitamin C testing strips:

- https://www.amazon.com/Neo-Sci-Vitamin- ... B00FGE9COK
- https://www.indigoinstruments.com/test_ ... trips.html

You can simply search for databases that have concentrations of vitamin C measured in different foods. Also, make sure to use vitamin C tablets to act as controls.

To measure the amount of vitamins in the carrots, first wash and peel carrots. Then blend them up with a small amount of water (make sure to include the amount of water you added in the final concentration calculation). Set up your standards, and you can measure the amount of vitamin C in the carrots.

Hope this helps!
CMS

Thank you so much guys! I'll test vitamin c instead