Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Re: Science Fair Project - Effect of Microvave Irradiation on Nutrition Value of Different Foods
Hi,
As I try to compare the vitamin C, D, A, protein and other nutritions before and after microvave irradiation, I run into one major problem. Where to find the technology and the resources required to test the nutritional value of the different food I intend to test? I was bassically looking for a low-cost alternative to the technology in labs and research facilities. I would sincerely appreciate any help on this matter.
If you have any suggestions or critique to make on my project, please feel free to do so. I do realise the effect of microwaves has been tested on protein, however it hasn't been on other vitamins. If there is anything that I may be doing wrong, please do tell me.

Thanks very much.

Hi,

that is a very interesting topic!
I am afraid though, the content of vitamins and other nutrients is not easily measured without chemical or spectroscopic analysis. But some of those may be affordable and worth a try.

I ran a few searches on the internet, the most successful one with the keywords "how to measure vitamin content"; I am posting some results I found helpful below. I suggest you try this search for all the nutrients you may want to analyze.

This one mentions a relatively simple method to check the vitamin C content (but it does not say anything about how sensitive the test is, you would have to determine that as well):
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/20 ... .Bc.r.html

The following article gives you a taste of the details involved..
http://web.ukonline.co.uk/suttonelms/apple25.html

You can even buy indicator strips for vitamin C - they are meant for measuring vitamin C content in urine. But these would be impractical if the vitamin C content of the food you're testing are very different from that in urine:
http://www.nutri.com/wn/cs.html

Let us know what you find!
Cheers, Ivo

Thanks a lot for your time.

I was really wanting to pursue this topic, however it seems that there isn't some really feasible way to do so.
Vitamin C may be somewhat covered however there simply isnt another way to do the other vitamins then is there...
I may have access to a microscope and so if there is any simple bacteria counting required, I have no problem.
Again, thanks for your valued input.

Re: Science Fair Project - Effect of Microvave Irradiation on Nutrition Value of Different Foods
Hi I am looking for an "expert" opinion on this one!
As I try to compare the vitamin C, D, A, protein and other nutritions before and after microvave irradiation, I run into one major problem. Where to find the technology and the resources required to test the nutritional value of the different food I intend to test? I was bassically looking for a low-cost alternative to the technology in labs and research facilities. I would sincerely appreciate any help on this matter.
If you have any suggestions or critique to make on my project, please feel free to do so. I do realise the effect of microwaves has been tested on protein, however it hasn't been on other vitamins. If there is anything that I may be doing wrong, please do tell me.

Thanks very much.

Re: Science Fair Project - Effect of Microvave Irradiation on Nutrition Value of Different Foods
Hi,
As I try to compare the vitamin C, D, A, protein and other nutritions before and after microvave irradiation, I run into one major problem. Where to find the technology and the resources required to test the nutritional value of the different food I intend to test? I was bassically looking for a low-cost alternative to the technology in labs and research facilities. I would sincerely appreciate any help on this matter.
If you have any suggestions or critique to make on my project, please feel free to do so. I do realise the effect of microwaves has been tested on protein, however it hasn't been on other vitamins. If there is anything that I may be doing wrong, please do tell me.

Thanks very much.

Yes, it seems the other vitamins require more sophisticated methods. But how about minerals, like iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium? I would think those can be tested by relatively simple chemical analysis (for which you would still need the equipment and some chemicals though).

I have merged your topics since you re-posted the same question in two places. Keeping your question in one location will help you get the best assistance from Experts.

Amy
Science Buddies

Re: Science Fair Project - Effect of Microvave Irradiation on Nutrition Value of Different Foods
Hi I am looking for an "expert" opinion on this one!
As I try to compare the vitamin C, D, A, protein and other nutritions before and after microvave irradiation, I run into one major problem. Where to find the technology and the resources required to test the nutritional value of the different food I intend to test? I was bassically looking for a low-cost alternative to the technology in labs and research facilities. I would sincerely appreciate any help on this matter.
If you have any suggestions or critique to make on my project, please feel free to do so. I do realise the effect of microwaves has been tested on protein, however it hasn't been on other vitamins. If there is anything that I may be doing wrong, please do tell me.

Thanks very much.

I have been able to discover how to measure vitamin c and measure iron.
Measuring magnesium or calcium remains a problem to me. If you come across a method of finding these other nutritional values please feel free to tell me. Im running on a short deadline now and I have to have my method for my science fair finalised ASAP.

Thanks again.

Hi,

Please do not create any more threads--you should be hitting 'post reply' rather than 'post a new thread.' Keeping all of your inquiries together will help experts better help you.

I have merged all of your threads together.