Orange turns purple: Australian scientists solve fruit mystery Published duration 26 September 2018

image copyright Neti Moffitt image caption The fruit changed colour within hours of being cut up with a knife

What could cause a freshly sliced orange to suddenly turn purple?

Australian health authorities say they have solved a mystery that prompted much speculation earlier this month.

It began when a Brisbane woman, Neti Moffitt, asked for an investigation into why an orange - partially eaten by her son - had later changed colour.

Scientists have now revealed it was due to a natural reaction between the fruit and a sharpened knife. The orange did not pose a health risk, they added.

Stewart Carswell, Queensland Health's chief chemist, said "numerous tests" were conducted to determine the cause of the colour change.

The results revealed that anthocyanins - a naturally occurring antioxidant in oranges - had reacted with iron particles from the newly sharpened blade, he said.

image copyright Neti Moffitt image caption There is no risk to health, Queensland officials say

Ms Moffitt told the BBC that it was "brilliant" to have the mystery solved.

The orange turned purple sometime after Ms Moffitt's two-year-old son had eaten a few slices.

"It looks like someone's dipped it on an ink pad, which I guarantee you we haven't," she told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation earlier this month.

"My first thought was I hope it has had no ill effect on my child. But he's fine, absolutely not a drama."

You might also be interested in:

On Wednesday, Mr Carswell described the investigation as unusual.

"We see samples that range from blood, urine, water, soil, fish and foodstuffs. So to have an orange come through was really different for our team," he said in a statement.

image copyright Neti Moffitt image caption The knife and sharpener were returned after forensic testing

The Queensland government said it had assured the family that the orange was not a risk to health.

Related Topics Fruit

Australia