CURE-ious Che
Purslane Chemistry
Madeline Cooke squats in the dirt and leans over the stacked , wooden two-by-fours supporting a raised garden . Scissors at the ready , she trims away weeds and checks the health of rows of red-stemmed succulents . Although many might consider this jade-like plant called Purslane a weed , it is actually edible , often found in Asian soups , salads , and stews . And is packed with antioxidants .
also wanted to get some type of chemistry research going in an undergrad lab course so students would have some purpose in their experiment other than making crystals to throw in the waste jar as they walk out .”
Nita Eskew , Ph . D ., Director of Undergraduate Laboratories
Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences , CURE , are part of the university ’ s Quality Enhancement Plan , a fiveyear initiative that is part of the 2017 Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on College accreditation process . Cooke , a UNC senior majoring in chemistry , spent six months last year helping organic chemist and Director for Chemistry ’ s Undergraduate Laboratories , Dr . Nita Eskew , tend to these weedy plants so she could use them in her “ Chemistry of Purslane ” class . A Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience , the class provides many students with their first active research experience .
“ Some students do not have the opportunity to do undergraduate research while they are here , so this gives them the experience while also getting course credit ,” Eskew explains . “ I
Organic chemistry can be a little obscure , admits Eskew , so a course that highlights real-world applications draws more student attention . “ It is helpful to have something more concrete you can put your hands on ,” she says , adding that the class had so many applicants she were unable to accept them all .
Purslane ’ s antioxidant content suggests it has medicinal properties , but it is largely understudied in the United States . Eskew hopes that she and her students can answer some basic questions about it . What are the main differences between the gold and red varieties ? Does one have a higher antioxidant concentration than the other ? Does the growing environment impact their chemical composition ?
Encouraging Curiosity
Throughout the class , which first began in Spring 2017 , Eskew teaches standard chemistry techniques like extraction and ul-
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