Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

My son is doing the 'Extracting Onion DNA' project and one of the materials listed is 95% ethanol (grain alcohol). Someone told me that is basically a liquor and I can find it at a liquor store. I was just wondering if that is the case? and also is there any other alcohol we can use instead of making that trip to a liquor store!!! Please help!!! Thank You!

That person was probably referring to Everclear alcohol:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everclear_(alcohol)
You can also buy "denatured alcohol," though it will have added impurities (to prevent consumption).
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/us ... ed+Alcohol

ChrisG wrote:That person was probably referring to Everclear alcohol:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Everclear_(alcohol)
You can also buy "denatured alcohol," though it will have added impurities (to prevent consumption).
http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/us ... ed+Alcohol

Everclear should be fine- just buy the 190 proof stuff. It is used a lot for science fair projects when the student does not have access to lab grade ethanol.

Louise

Thanks a lot for your help!

i couldn't find the 190 proof one. is there another?

galin wrote:i couldn't find the 190 proof one. is there another?

The 190 proof is not legally availble in all states. You should ask at the liquor store if your state bans it.

What do you need it for? For the DNA project mentioned by the original poster, isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) can also be used:
http://www.sciencebuddies.com/mentorin ... ?from=Home

This substitution may not work for all projects. If your project is different, please open a new thread in the appropriate forum (Physical or Life Sciences) describing your project in detail, and someone will try to help you find a substitute chemical.

Louise