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Carved Pumpkin Preservation

CSEF · 2006 Chemistry

Jamie K. Blatter · Notre Dame High School, Salinas

Overview

Objectives/Goals The fun and beauty of carved pumpkins for Halloween can become unpleasant when the pumpkins rot. Rotting occurs because most diseases that cause pumpkins to rot occur when the pumpkin#s protective outer rind is cut. In my experiment, I am testing whether common household products (Lysol Kitchen Cleaner, Armor All Protectant, Comet Bathroom Cleaner, Tilex Mold and Mildew Remover, and Pledge Furniture Polish) can help preserve carved pumpkins. If successful, this may be a simple way to prolong the joy of having carved pumpkins at Halloween time, and to reduce some of the unpleasant clean up involved afterwards. The experiment will compare how each of the products affect the deterioration (rotting) of the pumpkins. I will treat five sets of pumpkins with one product each, and compare the results to an untreated set of pumpkins. I will measure the deterioration every few days for up to two weeks for each different pumpkin to determine which ones stay the best preserved. Conclusions/Discussion The point of my experiment was to test whether common household products can help preserve the appearance and physical condition of carved pumpkins. I observed and recorded the deterioration of ninety pumpkins (in six sets of fifteen pumpkins) four times over the course of twelve days. I recorded the data using both qualitative (visual observation) and quantitative (physical measurement) methods. I concluded that pumpkins sprayed with Lysol, Tilex, Armor All, and Comet deteriorate less than the Control (unsprayed pumpkins) and the pumpkins sprayed with Pledge deteriorate more. I validated my conclusions with statistical analysis. The results supported my hypothesis by demonstrating that some common household products designed to fight mold, mildew, and bacteria, can be used as a simple way to help preserve carved pumpkins by delaying the rotting process.

Summary statement

My project tests if household products can keep a carved pumpkin preserved longer.

Help received

Mother and Father helped to record observations and make corrections on my paper.

Competition history

  • CSEF 2006 Chemistry · Entry S0502

Resources

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