Lemon + Rock Sugar = ???

So, what will be given by the mysterious reaction above? The answer is enzyme produced from the fermentation. Enzyme is made up of protein molecule that has unique spatial arrangement, called active site. The main function of enzyme is to catalyst biological activities like utilize nutrients and aid digestion.

Generally, enzyme can be divided into internal and external enzyme. Internal enzyme can found in body while external enzyme can be found in food. One question might arise here, why do we still need take in external enzyme from food when our body themselves can produce it? The answer is enzyme-deficient food intake would overburden our body by synthesizing internal enzyme to digest the food.

The main source of external enzyme comes from fruits, vegetables, meat and grain. Sadly to say, most enzymes contained in them have been destroyed when cooking under high temperature. For instance, protease in cooked meat is denatured and cannot be absorbed by body.

The best way of obtaining external enzyme other than eating a variety of foods and vegetable is drinking DIY enzyme, fruit enzyme. During the fermentation process, bacteria “per-digest” nutrients in fruits that ease the later absorption by body and enhance the enzyme level in fruit. The listed are the benefits of consuming fruit enzyme:

- Lower cholesterol level

- Maintain high alkali pH

- Strengthen the immune system

- Relieve constipation by promoting the proper digesting and elimination process.

- An antioxidant that protect body cells from neutralizing radical.

To explore its medication, effect and fragrant taste, let's look at the recipe. The ingredients needed are lemon, pineapple and brown rock sugar.

Firstly, clean and dry all the fruits, utensils and container. Make sure they are dried throughly and free from any water and oil stain. Next, slice fruit in 3-5 mm thick. Later, place fruit in the first layer, lemon at the second layer and following by brown rock sugar. Then, repeat the same process until it full and cover with the lid tightly.


Friday, 22 March 2013

Ascorbic Acid


Pineapple, as one of main ingredient in the making of pineapple drinking enzyme has vitamin C content of about 36.2mg per 100g serving. Vitamins are organic compounds. Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid is an essential nutrient for humans and certain other animal species. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that is necessary for normal growth and development. Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water. Leftover amounts of the vitamin leave the body through the urine. That means you need a continuous supply of such vitamins in your diet.


Formula: C6H8O6
Molar mass: 176.12 g/mol
Melting point: 190 °C
Soluble in: Water
IUPAC ID: (R)-3,4-dihydroxy-5-((S)- 1,2-dihydroxyethyl)furan-2(5H)-one, 2-Oxo-L-threo-hexono-1,4-lactone-2,3-enediol
Ascorbic acid resembles the sugar from which it is derived, being a ring with many oxygen-containing functional groups. The molecule exists in equilibrium with two ketone tautomers, which are less stable than the enol form. In solutions, these forms of ascorbic acid rapidly interconvert.

Nucleophilic attack of ascorbic enol on proton to give 1,3-diketone

Tautomeric equilibrium – Vitamin C is sensitive to heat and light, and will oxidize readily by reacting with the oxygen in the atmosphere. Therefore, the fermentation of pineapple enzyme should be carry out in cool and shady places and the glassware must be tightly close.

While Vitamin C does not have an acid or carboxyl group, it does have acidic hydrogen, hydrogen that can be easily removed. Since Vitamin C has acidic hydrogen, it can behave like a weak acid when dissolved in water or when reacted with other compounds.

Function of Vitamin C:
Vitamin C is needed for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body. It is used to:
Form an important protein used to make skin, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels
-Heal wounds and form scar tissue
-Repair and maintain cartilage, bones, and teeth

Vitamin C is one of many antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients that block some of the damage caused by free radicals.
-Free radicals are made when your body breaks down food or when you are exposed to tobacco smoke or radiation.
-The buildup of free radicals over time is largely responsible for the aging process.
-Free radicals may play a role in cancer, heart disease, and conditions like arthritis.

Vitamin C boosts our immune system.
-Vitamin C is found in high concentrations in immune cells, and is consumed quickly during infections
-It has been hypothesized to modulate the activities of phagocytes, the production of cytokines and lymphocytes, and the number of cell adhesion molecules in monocytes

For many years, vitamin C has been a popular remedy for the common cold.
-Research shows that for most people, vitamin C supplements or vitamin C-rich foods do not reduce the risk of getting the common cold.
-However, people who take vitamin C supplements regularly might have slightly shorter colds or somewhat milder symptoms.

Vitamin C deficiency:
Vitamin C plays an important role in maintaining our health. It is a cofactor in at least eight enzymatic reactions including several collagen synthesis reactions that, when dysfunctional, cause the most severe symptoms of scurvy.

Side effects:
Serious side effects from too much vitamin C are very rare, because the body cannot store the vitamin. However, amounts greater than 2,000 mg/day are not recommended because such high doses can lead to stomach upset and diarrhea.
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