I have always wondered what it was about catnip that made my neighbor's not-so-friendly cat approach me and roll about on the ground. This article provided some great insight into how catnip may work through olfaction. I found it interesting that the main component of catnip, nepatalactone, could also be used as an insect repellent. I am not a huge fan of the smell of DEET or the way it makes my skin feel after applying it. I have used citronella oil and other essential oils to try to combat mosquitoes in the summer. Perhaps, the next time I come to battle mosquitoes, I can use some nepatalactone to avoid all of the itching.
I learned, from the second article, that the oxidation of fatty acids causes food to go rancid. I never thought about the chemical reactions that cause food to go bad. But, we learn something new every day.
From the pool article, I found it interesting what the pool "chlorine smell" actually is. I never knew that it was actually a way of indicating that the people in charge of the pool should increase the chlorine concentration as no smell when being around a pool means that the chloramines are not completely oxidized! Even though you usually don't want to be smelling chemicals, the chemistry of things can be apparent with the smells that go with them.
I found the second article, "Food Preservatives: Antimicrobials, antioxidants, and metal chelators keep food fresh" to be very interesting because I was not initially aware of the various ways that food is preserved. I knew beforehand that antimicrobials inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria but I was surprised to learn that antioxidants are used to slow air oxidation of fats and that natural ripening of foods and enzymatic processes can be blocked through another method. The reason I found this process interesting is because I never realized that enzymes play much of a role in foods, since they are usually related to processes in the body.
I found in the second article that Sulfur Dioxide is used as a wide range preservative. I read awhile back a book about how McDonalds preserves their products and one thing they do not use is particular Chemical compund. I also found it interesting how people may be allergic to the preservatives in a food and not the food itself. I can't help but wonder how much preservatives increase the allergies of Americans. Considering it seems people have more allergies now then ever before. As well as the idea that allergist do not test for allergies of preservatives.
Ah, good ole catnip. I always wondered why my one cat goes crazy and kicks her face will her back feet while the other one just winces at the smell. The first article explains the reason behind the sensibility of cats to catnip. It is quite a wonder how two cats can differ so widely when they both get expose to catnip. It was interesting to read about the genetic disposition cats have to the chemicals in catnip. It is also interesting that humans had a use for catnip as tea, which had a calming affect….weird total opposite of the effect on felines.
One thing I found interesting is how cyanuric acid is added to chlorine in outer pool as a stablizer against ultraviolet light. So like how can it stabilize against the ultraviolet light? Also, I never thought of a chemical that will be added to pools other than chlorine.
One thing i discovered is that the "chlorine " smell typically associated with pools is actually a byproduct of hypochlorous acid reacting with nitrogenous contaminants that are introduced by humans.
I have always wondered what it was about catnip that made my neighbor's not-so-friendly cat approach me and roll about on the ground. This article provided some great insight into how catnip may work through olfaction. I found it interesting that the main component of catnip, nepatalactone, could also be used as an insect repellent. I am not a huge fan of the smell of DEET or the way it makes my skin feel after applying it. I have used citronella oil and other essential oils to try to combat mosquitoes in the summer. Perhaps, the next time I come to battle mosquitoes, I can use some nepatalactone to avoid all of the itching.
ReplyDeleteI learned, from the second article, that the oxidation of fatty acids causes food to go rancid. I never thought about the chemical reactions that cause food to go bad. But, we learn something new every day.
ReplyDeleteFrom the pool article, I found it interesting what the pool "chlorine smell" actually is. I never knew that it was actually a way of indicating that the people in charge of the pool should increase the chlorine concentration as no smell when being around a pool means that the chloramines are not completely oxidized! Even though you usually don't want to be smelling chemicals, the chemistry of things can be apparent with the smells that go with them.
ReplyDeleteI found the second article, "Food Preservatives: Antimicrobials, antioxidants, and metal chelators keep food fresh" to be very interesting because I was not initially aware of the various ways that food is preserved. I knew beforehand that antimicrobials inhibit the growth of mold and bacteria but I was surprised to learn that antioxidants are used to slow air oxidation of fats and that natural ripening of foods and enzymatic processes can be blocked through another method. The reason I found this process interesting is because I never realized that enzymes play much of a role in foods, since they are usually related to processes in the body.
ReplyDeleteI found in the second article that Sulfur Dioxide is used as a wide range preservative. I read awhile back a book about how McDonalds preserves their products and one thing they do not use is particular Chemical compund. I also found it interesting how people may be allergic to the preservatives in a food and not the food itself. I can't help but wonder how much preservatives increase the allergies of Americans. Considering it seems people have more allergies now then ever before. As well as the idea that allergist do not test for allergies of preservatives.
ReplyDeleteAh, good ole catnip. I always wondered why my one cat goes crazy and kicks her face will her back feet while the other one just winces at the smell. The first article explains the reason behind the sensibility of cats to catnip. It is quite a wonder how two cats can differ so widely when they both get expose to catnip. It was interesting to read about the genetic disposition cats have to the chemicals in catnip. It is also interesting that humans had a use for catnip as tea, which had a calming affect….weird total opposite of the effect on felines.
ReplyDeleteOne thing I found interesting is how cyanuric acid is added to chlorine in outer pool as a stablizer against ultraviolet light. So like how can it stabilize against the ultraviolet light? Also, I never thought of a chemical that will be added to pools other than chlorine.
ReplyDeleteOne thing i discovered is that the "chlorine " smell typically associated with pools is actually a byproduct of hypochlorous acid reacting with nitrogenous contaminants that are introduced by humans.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your responses!
ReplyDelete