We've all seen bananas turn brown. In this project I am going to show you how to use this browning process to intentionally cause certain points on a banana peel to brown prematurely. This lets you make pictures on the banana peel using only a small needle. When done properly, it doesn't affect the edible part of the banana, so you can still eat it later. This is a great arts and crafts project to add a little fun to your packed lunches.
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Signing UpStep 1: Background: Why Bananas Turn Brown
So why do bananas turn brown? Here is some of the chemistry for those who are interested.
It all has to do with a series of chemical reactions that take place as the banana ripens. This process is called enzymatic browning. As the banana ripens, the membranes in the cell start to weaken. This lets the phenolic compounds in the cell's vacuole come in contact with enzymes like polyphenol oxidase. The enzymes cause the phenolic compounds to quickly oxidize. This reaction produces melanin which gives the ripening banana its brown spots.
If we manually rupture the cell membranes, we can cause this process to take place quickly in specific locations. Puncturing the banana peel with a needle will create a well defined brown dot in a matter of minutes. By making a lot of dots we can draw a picture on the banana peel.
TL;DR Puncturing or bruising the skin releases chemicals that make it turn brown.
It all has to do with a series of chemical reactions that take place as the banana ripens. This process is called enzymatic browning. As the banana ripens, the membranes in the cell start to weaken. This lets the phenolic compounds in the cell's vacuole come in contact with enzymes like polyphenol oxidase. The enzymes cause the phenolic compounds to quickly oxidize. This reaction produces melanin which gives the ripening banana its brown spots.
If we manually rupture the cell membranes, we can cause this process to take place quickly in specific locations. Puncturing the banana peel with a needle will create a well defined brown dot in a matter of minutes. By making a lot of dots we can draw a picture on the banana peel.
TL;DR Puncturing or bruising the skin releases chemicals that make it turn brown.
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Now to kick it up a notch with a tatto artist gun/machine/[pen..!.
Have you tried doing it with one yet?
Either way - you have the touch... those banana's look great!
What a thing to bring in the lunch box... or serve!
I've got to do one...
Thanx for sharing your instructable!
got my vote and good luck!
- chase -
anyway this looks like a fun project!
This is a great idea.. too bad i'm really bad at art.. even stenciling.. :(
Nice presentation too...
Thanks!
:D
OK, i'll try to have a go and will post my pic if i manage to make something..
:)
I always thought i'm not gifted in arts.. :/
If you put it that way, maybe it's my lack of patience..
I'll try to give more time on my next art project, this banana art would be a perfect trial.. :D
What do you mean, I thought you're images (even if traced) are fantastic!!!
You are too humble my friend!
My personal preference is to not tatoo my own skin, but for lunch this art is so appealing!
My husband works out of town 4-5 days straight, and I love the idea of putting bananas in his food bag with fun pictures and messages on them. I probably won't make any major works of art, just hearts and skulls and "I love you's" ;)
Any takers?
Too bad it goes almost black so quickly. It'd be cool if you had some time to play with varying degrees of darkness. To enhance the focus, shading and/or depth perception.