I hate cutting onions. Actually, I used to hate cutting onions. Now I am not bothered by the tears. Onions were just too good to give up over a few tears.
When we cut open an onion, we allow an enzyme called alliinases to react and break down amino acid to generate sulphenic acid. At this point the chemical still remains on the cutting board-- so how does it get to our eyes?
A second enzyme called lachrymatory factor synthase or LFS later mix with sulphenic acidto form, get ready for this, propanethiol S-oxide. Propanethiol S-oxide is a volatile gas, and it travels readily in the air. When the gas reaches your eyes, it mixes with water in your eyes to form sulfuric acid. This prompts our eyes to release water to irrigate the irritating invader.
The natural reaction to the Propanethiol S-oxide invasion is to shut your eyes. This, of course, is not a good idea if you are cutting an onion. Rubbing your eyes is a bad idea, since your hands are likely full of the tear-making onion juice, and by rubbing your eyes you are actually transferring the sulphenic acid to your eyes, in addition to the sulfuric acid induced by the Propanethiol S-oxide gas.
So how do you keep from crying? I believe there are many methods out there, or some traditional methods passed down from mom to child. One that I have tried and works is from WikiHow. It suggests briefly freezing the onion, using a sharp knife, and cutting near a strong fume hood. Downside- I never prepare far enough in advance and freeze the onion.
Another tried and true, if not inconvenient method is to cut underwater. I believe the water dilutes the chemicals making it a cry free experience. But then who has the time, space and inclination to cut onions underwater every time?
Otherwise, I'll stick to wearing goggles. This works like a charm, is quick and ideal for the lazy chef.
info:
http://www.sciencebob.com/questions/q-onion_tears.php http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryfaqs/f/onionscry.htm http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryfaqs/f/onionscry.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onion#Eye_irritation
When we cut open an onion, we allow an enzyme called alliinases to react and break down amino acid to generate sulphenic acid. At this point the chemical still remains on the cutting board-- so how does it get to our eyes?
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| Image: diyhealthtips.com |
The natural reaction to the Propanethiol S-oxide invasion is to shut your eyes. This, of course, is not a good idea if you are cutting an onion. Rubbing your eyes is a bad idea, since your hands are likely full of the tear-making onion juice, and by rubbing your eyes you are actually transferring the sulphenic acid to your eyes, in addition to the sulfuric acid induced by the Propanethiol S-oxide gas.
 |
| Image: funadvice.com |
Another tried and true, if not inconvenient method is to cut underwater. I believe the water dilutes the chemicals making it a cry free experience. But then who has the time, space and inclination to cut onions underwater every time?
Otherwise, I'll stick to wearing goggles. This works like a charm, is quick and ideal for the lazy chef.
 |
| Image: trianglevisions.com |
info:
http://www.sciencebob.com/questions/q-onion_tears.php http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryfaqs/f/onionscry.htm http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistryfaqs/f/onionscry.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Onion#Eye_irritation
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