• Question: Why does orange juice go fizzy when it goes off?

    Asked by syra kate to Chris, Hayley, Jimi, Omur on 16 Mar 2016.
    • Photo: Jimi Wills

      Jimi Wills answered on 16 Mar 2016:

      It’s because bugs growing in the juice are causing it to ferment.. just like beer. The bugs release carbon dioxide (CO2) which gets dissolved in the juice… if the juice is sealed the pressure can build up, holding the CO2 in solution until you open it, then it starts fizzing… which means the CO2 come out of solution and becomes a gas.

      The bugs in question are usually yeasts, which often live on the surfaces of fruits. A complex series of chemical reactions enables them to turn the sugar in the fruit juice into carbon dioxide and alcohol. The bugs get the energy they need to live be doing this.

    • Photo: Hayley Moulding

      Hayley Moulding answered on 16 Mar 2016:

      Lots and lots of CO2 like in coca cola or pepsi is produced and that makes the pressure get bigger and bigger. Then when you open it… FIZZZZZZZ and the carbon dioxide comes out of the orange juice.

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