In this program, students explore real-world analytical chemistry. They learn to prepare samples for HPLC analysis, creating calibration curves and analysing unknown caffeine concentrations from soft drinks or energy drinks. Additionally, students explore sugar analysis using spectrophotometers, mastering the skills needed to understand the composition of various liquid samples. This program offers students hands-on experience in scientific analysis, helping them understand the chemical components in everyday beverages, promoting informed choices, and nurturing a deeper understanding of nutrition and environmental impact.
Program objectives:
- Accurately preparing caffeine and sugar standards to be used to construct a calibration curve.
- Preparing dilutions to perform HPLC analysis of a chosen soft drink.
- Using retention times to correctly identify the correct caffeine peak from the HPLC results.
- Perform an enzyme digest of disaccharides and collect absorption data from digested sugar samples.
Curriculum links:
VCE Chemistry Unit 4: Area of Study 1 and Area of Study 2Industry links:
Southern Biological has provided input into program creation. Ongoing volunteer support of Peter Ball our resident scientist is highly valued.Analytical chemistry
Research and development
Food chemistry and nutrition
Health
Environmental impact assessment