Chemistry and Biochemistry Academy

Polylactic acid (PLA) products are polymers (plastics) manufactured from lactic acid. Lactic acid is an organic molecule which occurs naturally in living organisms. Lactic acid is synthesized from glucose through anaerobic fermentation (fermentation without oxygen). It is commercially manufactured from starchy plant materials such as corn or potatoes. Lactic acid is capable of polymerizing to form PLA (polylactic acid) products. PLA is one of the most bioplastics receiving more attention in different parts of the world. The process commences with first reacting starch derived from corn and water enzymatically. The process breaks the glycosidic linkages of starch to yield glucose (a monomer). Glucose is then converted to lactic acid via anaerobic fermentation. A three carbon atoms compound (pyruvate) is produced in the process as in the glycolysis process step number ten (10).  Lactic acid released in the process is enantiomerically enhanced with 99.5% in L form (Fig...

Sometimes you have been wondering how you can make your own Pineapple Juice Hand Lotion. This formulation can solve your problem. Ingredients                                                                 Percentage Irish moss mucilage 3%                                                          37% Glycerine               ...

Testosterone hormone is a hormone which is responsible for secondary characteristics in males. However, it does occur in small quantities in females. Testosterone hormone is a derivative of cholesterol.   In which the hydroxyl group (-OH) attached to carbon number three of the first ring of the cholesterol is oxidized to a carbonyl group (-C=O). The double (between carbon number five and six) in the second ring of cholesterol is shifted to the first between carbon number four and five in the chemical structure of testosterone hormone. The alkyl group substituted at carbon number seventeen of cholesterol is replaced with the hydroxyl group during the formation of testosterone hormone.   From the cholesterol chemical structure, it is observed that eight carbon atoms, eighteen hydrogen atoms are lost, and the oxygen atom is added during the formation of testosterone hormone. Testosterone hormone is endocyclic(has double bond within a ring), has extended conjugation, ab...

Rainbows and Blue Sky The blue sky and rainbows are most fascinating displays of nature.   From the time, memorial people with no idea on how rainbows and sky blue take place believe in various ancient cultures which explain their occurrences.   This article elaborates the science behind rainbows and sky blue.   Rainbows do not occur in a single location and it is not a thing, but it is an optical phenomenon which takes place when the viewer's position, sunlight and atmospheric conditions are fulfilled.    For the rainbow to occur, water droplets must exist in the air; the sun should be behind the viewer and with the absence of clouds from the sun.   Rainbow is a complete cycle; however, due to the viewer's position, it appears as a half cycle.   When the sun shines on water droplets in the air, and as the light passes through the water droplets they refract since water is denser than air, therefore, light travels slower in water droplets th...