Melanin is a pigment found in many organisms such as plants, fungi, microbes and animals including humans. Its multiple functions adapt...

Rocks hold within them hidden forces. While not all rocks are obviously magnetic, most carry a subtle magnetic field. It comes from their...

Spacecraft re-entry in the atmosphere has consequences. Many survive intense heat and friction through ablation, drawing heat away from...

Carrots are root vegetables with bright pigments and sweet flavors. Their roots are storage vessels for starch and sugar and peek from...

Apples turn brown when exposed to air. This phenomenon is enzymatic browning, a chemical reaction not limited to apples, but prevalent in...

Polyphenols in plants are protectors, beautifiers and communicators. With diverse structures and functions these phytochemical compounds...

Phytochemicals are chemical compounds created by plants. They can enhance a plant's color, flavor, and aroma and provide defense systems...

Tannins are phenol compounds found in a variety of plants. Their survival strategies in nature produce benefits in wine, food, health...

Rennet is a complex set of enzymes central to many cheeses. It coagulates milk to form curds.  The primary enzyme in rennet is chymosin...

Esters and phenols are compounds creating flavors, colors and aromas for sensory experience. Artisans in brewing, perfumery or food must...

Phenols are found in the aromatic compounds of plants and synthetic variants. These compounds influence the environment and health in...

Phenols are aromatic compounds important to ecosystems, human health and industry. Their functions go beyond fragrance. They're used in...

Chalk is fundamentally calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and takes hundreds of millions of years to form. This seemingly mundane mineral has a...

Differences between Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria are fairly straightforward, related to cell membrane structure. Knowing...

Cobalt is a silvery grey metal used across various fields, including science, medicine, and industry. It receives its name from the...

Zaffre (zaffer) is a vibrant deep blue pigment developed by alchemists, major pigment creators, by c. 1550 AD. Characterized by brilliant...

Glass of antimony , or vitrum antimonii , gives warm yellow or red hues. As Sb2O3, its use in alchemy is largely medicinal, one of many...

Calcite is made up of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). With stunning crystal formations and a range of beautiful colors, calcite also has...

Galen of Pergamon (c. 129 - 216 AD) is well known in the history of medicine. His extensive writings and theories prevail for over 2000...

In practical alchemy, mercury II oxide (HgO) is often called the "Red Precipitate," with its compound Mercuric Amidochloride (Hg(NH2)Cl),...