2007-11-20 22:16:04 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Food & Drink ➔ Cooking & Recipes
It is not the strong odor of the onion that makes us cry, but the gas that the onion releases when we sever this member of the lily family.
The onion itself contains oil, which contains sulfur, an irritant to both our noses and to our eyes. Cutting an onion arouses a gas contained within the onion, propanethiol S-oxide, which then couples with the enzymes in the onion to emit a passive sulfur compound. When this upwardly mobile gas encounters the water produced by the tear ducts in our eyelids, it produces sulfuric acid.
In response to the caustic acid, our eyes automatically blink, and produce tears which irrigate the eye, and which flush out the sulfuric acid.
Another reflex to rid the eyes of a foreign substance, that of rubbing our eyes with our hands, often exacerbates the situation, because our hands are coated with the caustic, sulfuric acid producing oil from cutting the onion, which we then rub directly into our eyes.
Much to our chagrin, the only remedy for ridding the onion of its pungent, irritating oil is to boil it, not to slice it or dice it.
2007-11-20 22:53:57 · answer #1 · answered by jennifer_nh72 4 · 8⤊ 1⤋
A. When an onion is cut, certain (lachrymator) compounds are released causing the nerves around the eyes (lacrimal glands) to become irritated.
These compounds consist of methionine and cystine that are part of the amino acid family. (Protein is made up of several of these amino acids grouped together.)
When an onion is sliced or diced, the onion's cells release these compounds into the air. When this occurs, "enzyme" works to alter the amino acids into lachrymator compounds. This form of sulfuric acid irritates the nerves around the eyes making them tear.
How can we prevent this reaction?
1. Use a sharp knife to cut the onion to reduce the amount of damage to the onion cells.
2. Cool the onion in a refrigerator to suppress the scattering of the lachrymator.
3. Soak the onion in water to dissolve the amino acids. (Cutting the onions in half or quarters before soaking them is even more effective.)
4. Wear swimming goggles or ski goggles while cutting the onion.
5. Use a ventilator or fan to blow the allyl sulfide away.
2007-11-20 22:35:48 · answer #2 · answered by MK 2 · 6⤊ 0⤋
The acidic oils stored in the base of the onion near the root.
2007-11-21 02:26:08 · answer #3 · answered by zakiit 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's the sulfenic acid released as you cut through the root that forms a kind of gas and can make your eyes weep. The way to avoid this is to sever the root under water first.
2007-11-20 22:22:42 · answer #4 · answered by ~☆ Petit ♥ Chou ☆~ 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Slicing generates a gas, which then combines with moisture on the eye to form sulphuric acid.
2007-11-20 22:20:18 · answer #5 · answered by myrmecophyte 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Guess you got your answer from myrmecop.....
But did you know that chewing gum while peeling onions will prevent the tears from your eyes!!!
2007-11-20 22:22:54 · answer #6 · answered by Schumi 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
onions contain some gas that does this.
2007-11-20 22:20:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 1⤋
Enzymes
2007-11-20 22:25:26 · answer #8 · answered by Joeyboy 5 · 2⤊ 5⤋
It just makes one of my eyes water.
2007-11-20 22:18:46 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 7⤋
Looool. Ok. You still have to try harder. That was on the last week. You don't have any other ideas?
2007-11-20 22:38:36 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 2⤊ 5⤋