Food Science Experiments

IFT Food Science Activity Guide includes numerous quick and easy activities, many of which were field-tested, for outreach to classrooms, community organizations, and others.  Each activity includes background, an administrator's guide, and a student handout.

Use food to help teach science! The following experiments are designed for use in middle and senior high school science classes. 

Experiments have been grouped for chemistry and biology classes. They include teacher and student information and activity guides, sample data tables, and, where appropriate, visual masters for copying.

(Experiments and handouts are pdfs and require Adobe Reader.)

Chemistry

Food Chemistry encompasses the composition and properties of food components and the chemical changes they undergo during handling, processing and storage.

Food science in chemistry deals with:

• Food Constituents: The chemicals of food, such as Carbohydrates, Fats, Proteins, and Vitamins
• Nutritional Value of Food: Food labeling and medical concerns
• Biochemistry and Food: Enzymes 

Related Experiments: Pointed experiments, short preparation time and quick lab demonstrations make these experiments very student-friendly.

Food Chemistry Experiments These experiments examine carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. This series can be used along with the Pizza Explorer online program.

Enzymes in Food Systems Experiments Three food science experiments covering catalase activity, changes in plant pigments, and enzymatic browning of apples. 

The Mini Experiments in Food Science Series Three mini experiments demonstrate how color and appearance can affect the perception of quality in food products. 

Biology

Food science in biology deals with:

• Botany: The plant tissues we eat
• Zoology: The animal tissues we eat
• Physiology: The changes that occur in the plant and animal tissues we eat
• Microbiology: Food spoilage, foodborne illness, and fermentation
• Biotechnology and Food 

Related Experiments:

Microbiology in Food Systems Experiments Four food science experiments related to microbiology and fermentation. 
 
Experiments in Food Science These seven experiments examine various aspects of food science, from molds to potato chips.