UKC

I understand why apples go brown if you cut them open, its exposing it to air and so presumably theres some kind of reaction going on, somethings oxidizing or somthing. I can get my head round that whatever it turns out to be

BUT:

why do nanas go brown/black? the flesh isnt being exposed to anything new if you bash it... is there a reaction going on? it must be a reaction surely as it doesnt happen instantly, ie its not changing colour because of physics (ie fibres are being mucked about with) or itd happen instantly. Its something to do with chemistry,

Curiously they turn the blackest black ever if you leave them out in a car, and it freezes, the skin also turn black if you put them in the oven (I can understand that one though). I just get the feeling they turn black for any excuse.

why oh why is my nana black?

)C:

Mat


PS. if you didnt know, you can stop your apple from going brown if you put it in the fridge before peeling... the coolness slows the reaction down. Great idea for salads on hot day, they keep much longer.

In reply to matnoo:

I bet your skin goes black if you bash it! the blackness will get bigger and more defined if you keen been bashed!

Also if i was leave you outside in winter with no clothes on, you will start to go black, its called frostbite.

In reply to matnoo:

also helps if you mix a small amount of lemon juice wiht them as the acid stop the reaction totally..

In reply to matnoo:
Apple browning is due to phenolic compounds becoming oxidised, and forms a basic defence against pathogen invasion. Not sure if it's the same with 'nana's though.

In reply to matnoo: Are you being allegorical? Its not really a banana you're enquiring about is it. C'mon be honest.

In reply to matnoo: bananas go black when they have burnt up all the sugary starch inside the through resporation (sp) the black/brown bits are actualy the fruit under the skin starting to decompose
when you bang your nana you damage the flesh and accelerate the decomposition in the local area

In reply to matnoo:
Send it it into New Scientist's 'Last Word' - all sorts of clever people read it.

In reply to Scranner:
... not the banana, the question.

In reply to matnoo:

And dried bananas fit into this scenario somewhere, too...

And they have totally different characteristics from a normal banana...

In reply to matnoo:
the 'nana cells are damaged and left exposed to oxidation by an enzyme which if I remember is called polyphenolic oxidase.

In reply to matnoo: Probably the same reason as for your helmet going black!

In reply to matnoo:

"all bananas should be treated equal, regardless of colour or curvature."

however, use the bruise to your advantage. i am led to beleive that it contains more sugars than the unbashed parts, so scran the bruise for quick release NRG.


did i just say that? what a pointless piece of 'knowledge'.

thats like that 5 min programme on BBC2 (the timefiller slot, around 9pm) full of handy hints about how to paint a ceiling without splashing or how to polish a chandelier or what to do with left over potato peelings.


I MUST GET A LIFE.

In reply to wildcountryfriend:


Same here,brillo pad soap kills washing up liquid bubbles.()

In reply to Timmd:

I worry about you sometimes Timmd;-(

Time to get a GF and batchelor pad.

In reply to matnoo: This is why you need one of these. Or even a whole bunch...

www.bananaguards.co.uk

HTH


Ben B not logged on

In reply to Anonymous:What about the plastic used to make them,and the energy if it's recycled plastic,it's a waste of resouces.

In reply to Anonymous:They're a nice idea though,shame so many things harm the environment.
Cheers
Tim

In reply to Timmd:

I dont think anything that is used time and time again is a waste of resources.

Within the realms of sensible economics, i think a banana case is quite a eco friendly use of plastic. Most of us probably use 5 banana packages worth of crude oil every day when eating food packed in plastic, from in plastic bags, all whilst driving to tescos.

Also think of all the extra people snacking on bananas (instead of crisps/plastic coated chocolate bars) all because of the increased banana quality, much better for the environment!


Mat