Chemistry in Action: Allium cepa Test
Group 2
Borje, Ashley Nicole
Buenaventura, Nahdeen
Bunyi, Angelighe
Diaz, Miguel
I.
Introduction
Allium cepa (common names; onion, shallot) is a bulb-shaped vegetable
native to Asia and is commonly used as food or seasoning. According to Aggie
Horticulture (n.d.), onions require a high source of nitrogen, thus it is advisable
to use nitrogen-based fertilizers for better yield. This experiment will determine
the effects of two different reagents, namely, Sprite and orange rind, to Allium
cepa root growth and whether it is favorable or not. Said reagents are possible
sources of nitrogen as Sprite contains aspartame (C14H18N2O5), while orange
peels naturally have high nitrogen content (Jariwala, 2016). The set-ups will be
observed for seven days, starting from Monday, October 31, 2022, until Sunday,
November 6, 2022.
II.
Objectives
• To extract the chemicals that are present in the crude extract
• To test the different types of chemicals favorable for Allium cepa root
growth
III.
Materials
• 3 glass containers of the same size
• 3 red onions of the same size
• Sprite (290mL)
• Orange Rind
IV.
Procedures
A. Preparation of the Onion
1. Procure 3 red onions of the same size.
2. Rinse the onions to avoid contamination.
3. Cut all initial roots, but leave the disc where the roots grow.
B. Preparation of the Solution and Set-up
Page 1 of 14
1. Prepare 3 glass containers of the same size
2. Wash the containers to avoid contamination.
3. Dry the glass containers before pouring the solutions.
a. For Container #1 (Control group):
4. Pour water inside the container and fill it up to the brim.
5. Place one red onion atop the container with just the roots soaking in
the water.
6. Leave and observe the root growth for 7 days.
b. For Container #2 (Sprite):
4. Pour the Sprite inside the container and fill it up to the brim.
5. Place one red onion atop the container with just the roots soaking in
the Sprite.
6. Leave and observe the root growth for 7 days.
c. For Container #3 (Orange Rind):
4. Procure the orange rind (by peeling the skin off an orange).
5. Rinse the rind to avoid contamination.
6. Mince the rind into small square cuts.
7. Place the minced rind into the container.
8. Pour water inside the container and fill it up to the brim.
9. Place one red onion atop the container with just the roots soaking in
the solution.
10. Leave and observe the root growth for 7 days.
V.
Data and Observations
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM
Container
#1
IM* IM
(Water)
Container
#2
30 30
(Sprite)
Container
#3
25 32
(Orange
Rind)
IM
IM
IM
IM
IM
IM
IM
IM
IM
IM
IM
IM
42
42
45
45
45
45
45
45
45
45
45
45
35
35
35
35
35
35
35
35
35
35
35
35
Table 1: Length of Onion Roots (in millimeters)
*IM = Immeasurable
Page 2 of 14
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM AM PM
Container
#1
5
(Water)
Container
#2
9
(Sprite)
Container
#3
20
(Orange
Rind)
8
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
11
12
12
12
16
16
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
18
27
31
31
34
34
34
36
36
40
40
40
42
42
Table 2: Number of Individual Roots
Day 1 – October 31, 2022
The onion in Container #1 grew a new root overnight. While in Containers #2 & #3,
both onion roots grew faster. Among the 3 containers, only Container #3 started to sprout
leaves. During the night, Container #1 roots continually grew but are still immeasurable. As
for Container #2, new roots are starting to grow but the longest remain its length. As for
Container #3, more roots grew compared to Containers #1 & #2. We also observed that the
water is decreasing.
Day 2 – November 1, 2022
Container #1 showed new roots that are starting to sprout but still shorter compared
to Containers #2 & #3. Container #2 showed longer but no new roots, while Container #3
showed that the roots are growing faster, and its water level also decreased.
Day 3 – November 2, 2022
We observed little to no changes in day 3. Container #1 remained the same, while
Containers #2 & #3 showed an increasing number of roots with minimal changes in length.
As for the number of roots & length, Container #1 remained the same, while Container #2
consists of 16 roots with 45mm, and Container #3 with 34 roots measuring 35mm for the
longest root. The number of roots and length remained the same for the PM update.
Day 4 – November 3, 2022
Container #1 had no progress and still has 11 roots. Same with Container #2 that also had
no changes but already has 18 long roots, with the longest one measuring 45mm. Lastly,
Container #3 has 34 roots; the longest one measuring 35mm. As for the PM observation,
there is a little change in Container #3; The water decreased and there are now 36 roots
than can be counted. Meanwhile, Containers #1 & #2 still have no changes.
Page 3 of 14
Day 5 – November 4, 2022
Since day 1, the Allium cepa in Container #1 has been very consistent still, 11 visible
roots and immeasurable. As for Container #2, there are no changes both in length (since
day 3) and visible roots (since day 4). Lastly, Container #3 made progress in terms of visible
roots during the evening; the 36 visible roots became 40. Moreover, the leaves that
appeared during the 4th day of the experiment has a measurement of 47mm during the
day and expanded up to 50mm in the night. The water in the container has also decreased.
In terms of measurements of the root, it’s still the same as day 3 with a measurement of
35mm. In addition, all 3 Allium cepa subjects have no changes in terms of color and size
during day 5.
Day 6 – November 5, 2022
The Allium cepa in Container #1 still has 11 immeasurable but visible roots. As for
Container #2, there are no changes both in length (since day 3) and visible roots (since day
4), but the color of the roots started to become greenish; these changes happened during
the day. On the other note, Containers #1 and #3 are still the same as day 5 in terms of
visible roots and its lengths. As for the water in the jar, it slightly decreased again during
the day. Finally, the leaves are making progress by expanding its length from 60mm during
the day to 75mm during the night. No changes in color for the Allium cepa in Containers #1
and #3, and no changes in size.
Day 7 – November 6, 2022
On the last day of the experiment, the Allium cepa in Container #1 still has a consistent
11 immeasurable but visible roots with no changes in size and color. The Allium cepa in
Container #2 also has no changes in length and numbers of roots visible. The only change
is the color of the roots which adapted a greenish color. As for the Allium cepa in Container
#3, it now has a record of 42 roots but still has 35mm length. Water again decreased a little.
Moreover, the leaves stretched to 80mm but the Allium cepa itself has not changed in
terms of color and size.
Page 4 of 14
VI.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our group discovered that the orange rinds contain nutrients that has
many benefits to the growth of Allium cepa as the roots of the onion soaked in orange rinds
grew faster and healthier. In addition to a constant root growth, the leaves began to sprout
and constantly grew throughout the week of observation. On the other hand, Sprite is also
an alternative but some of its content is not healthy, thus the Allium cepa was not able to
grow faster compared to the one soaked in the orange rinds. Lastly, the Allium cepa soaked
in water grew the slowest. It showed signs of growth during the first two days, but stopped
afterwards. Overall, the orange rinds were the most effective, followed respectively by
Sprite, and water. The experiment gave us an idea on what water, Sprite, and orange rinds
can do to the growth of Allium cepa roots.
Page 5 of 14
VII.
Documentation
Materials and Procedures
Page 6 of 14
Day 1
Page 7 of 14
Day 2
Page 8 of 14
Day 3
Page 9 of 14
Day 4
Page 10 of 14
Day 5
Page 11 of 14
Day 6
Page 12 of 14
Day 7
Page 13 of 14
VIII.
Feedback/Reflection from the Experiment
Borje: During the process of this experiment, I discovered that there are
alternative methods for growing an Allium cepa (onion) besides the traditional
methods. I observed the differing outcomes of the various substances that were
used, which can and cannot sprout an Allium cepa (onion) root. As a result of
this experiment, people can benefit by providing them with different methods
of producing valuable goods.
Buenaventura: In this activity, I enjoyed and was happy because I learned a lot
even though the experiment was simple. We have seen what is better to use if
you want to speed up the growth of onion roots.
Bunyi: Through this experiment, I discovered that different substrates and
natural products could stall or hasten the growth of Allium cepa roots. The
results from this experiment can help red onion farmers/cultivators know which
substrate or natural product is best for better yield.
Diaz: At the end of the experiment, I’ve realized that there are alternative ways
to make Allium cepa grow. Some alternatives make Allium cepa grow faster and
healthier compared to the usual way of growing an Allium cepa.
IX.
References
Aggie
Horticulture.
(n.d.)
ONION
PLANTING.
https://aggiehorticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/onions/ONIONGR
O.html
Coca-Cola.
(n.d.).
Sprite.
https://www.cocacola.co.uk/brands/sprite#:~:text=Carbonated%20Water%2C%20Citric%
20Acid%2C%20Natural,Acidity%20Regulator%20(Sodium%20Citrate)
Jariwala, H., Syed, H. (2016, November). Study on Use of Fruit Peels Powder as a
Fertilizer.
Research
Gate.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/319329572_Study_on_Use_
of_Fruit_Peels_Powder_as_a_Fertilizer
Page 14 of 14