Tag: halloween

Halloween special: The chemistry of candy corn – in C&EN

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Confectioners produce around 9 billion pieces of candy corn every year, according to the US National Confectioners Association, with a significant chunk of this consumed by trick-or-treaters. In the latest edition of Periodic Graphics in C&EN, we look at what candy corn is made of and the chemistry behind its vibrant colours. View the full graphic on the C&EN site.

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The Chemistry of Mummification

The Chemistry of Mummification

The Chemistry of Mummification
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Mummies are, perhaps, the easiest go-to costume for Halloween: grab some bandages, drape yourself in them, and job done. However, there’s a little more behind the traditional embalming process used in Ancient Egypt, as well as a surprising amount of chemistry. Here we take a look at the chemicals used in the process, and how modern chemistry can help us identify them.

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Chemistry of Blood

Halloween Special: The Chemistry of Blood

Infographic on the chemistry of blood. The colour of blood is caused by haemoglobin, a protein found in blood which carries oxygen, and when oxygenated appears red. When deoxygenated, it's deep red. The metallic odour of blood is due to trans-4,5-epoxy-(E)-2-decenal. Blood types are determined by the presence of antigens on the surface of red blood cells. Different blood types contain different antibodies, which determine which blood types can be received in transfusions.
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Fake blood is an essential accessory if you’re going for a gory Halloween look with your costume this year. There’s a lot of chemistry in the substance it sets out to mimic; we can explain the colour, smell, and different types of blood with the aid of chemistry (and some biology thrown in for good measure). Today’s graphic takes a look at each in turn.

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The Chemistry of the Smell of Death

The Chemistry of the Odour of Decomposition

The Chemistry of the Smell of Death
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Continuing this week’s Halloween theme, today we’re looking at death – more specifically, the chemical agents behind the smell of it. Decomposition is an incredibly complicated process, but we do know a little about the chemical culprits behind some of the terrible smells as the body breaks down – so, what compounds are the must-haves this season for your run of the mill decomposing zombie?

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