Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Type
Submission
Abstract
Integrating research experiences into the physical chemistry laboratory that encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration effectively demonstrate the importance of research teams, promote student engagement, and provide real-life relevance. Reported here is an interdisciplinary research project between physical chemistry and therapeutic nutrition laboratory courses focused on determining the total energy content of date fruits utilizing bomb calorimetry, a technique central to both fields. The total energy of combustion was determined using Parr bomb calorimetry for two varieties of dates, Medjool and Black Gold, across two ripening stages. Dates were acquired from Sam Cobb Date Farms in Desert Hot Springs, CA. Gross energy content of late season/early season harvest Medjool dates were determined to be 372.65 ± 3.38 kcal/100 g and 364.91 ± 4.74 kcal/100 g, respectively. Gross energy content of late season/early season harvest Black Gold dates were determined to be 375.27 ± 2.33 kcal/100 g and 367.36 ± 3.75 kcal/100 g, respectively. Significant differences between the means at different ripening stages were found using Welch’s t test (with Welch-Satterthwaite DOF). The study addressed the significance of gross energy content determination, a core concept in physical chemistry, while also providing valuable insights for nutritional databases on this energy dense, highly nutritious and therapeutic food.
Faculty Mentor
Jane Ganske
Funding Source or Research Program
John Stauffer Charitable Trust, Not Identified
Location
Waves Cafeteria
Start Date
10-4-2026 1:00 PM
End Date
10-4-2026 2:00 PM
Let's Do Dates: A Bomb Calorimetric Research Project Between Physical Chemistry and Nutritional Science Students
Waves Cafeteria
Integrating research experiences into the physical chemistry laboratory that encourage cross-disciplinary collaboration effectively demonstrate the importance of research teams, promote student engagement, and provide real-life relevance. Reported here is an interdisciplinary research project between physical chemistry and therapeutic nutrition laboratory courses focused on determining the total energy content of date fruits utilizing bomb calorimetry, a technique central to both fields. The total energy of combustion was determined using Parr bomb calorimetry for two varieties of dates, Medjool and Black Gold, across two ripening stages. Dates were acquired from Sam Cobb Date Farms in Desert Hot Springs, CA. Gross energy content of late season/early season harvest Medjool dates were determined to be 372.65 ± 3.38 kcal/100 g and 364.91 ± 4.74 kcal/100 g, respectively. Gross energy content of late season/early season harvest Black Gold dates were determined to be 375.27 ± 2.33 kcal/100 g and 367.36 ± 3.75 kcal/100 g, respectively. Significant differences between the means at different ripening stages were found using Welch’s t test (with Welch-Satterthwaite DOF). The study addressed the significance of gross energy content determination, a core concept in physical chemistry, while also providing valuable insights for nutritional databases on this energy dense, highly nutritious and therapeutic food.