So I was just cutting up some onions downstairs for my sister when...

[V]

..I started tearing up really bad. I always knew about how onions make people tear up, but never knew exactly why. So I googled the topic, and came up with this.

As onions are sliced, cells are broken open. Onion cells have two sections, one with enzymes called alliinases, the other with sulfides (amino acid sulphoxides). The enzymes break down the sulphides and generate sulphenic acids. Sulphenic acids are unstable and decompose into a volatile gas called syn-propanethial-S-oxide. The gas then dissipates through the air and eventually reaches one's eye, where it will react with the water to form a dilute solution of sulphuric acid. The sulphuric acid irritates the nerve endings in the eyes, making them sting. The tear glands then produce tears to dilute and flush out the irritant.

A firm in Toronto, Canada, attempted to utilize this property of onions in the manufacture of a form of tear gas for civilian use. It was marketed in 1991 but was unsuccessful as it had an effective shelf life of only three months.

Supplying ample water to the reaction prevents the gas from reaching the eyes. Therefore cutting the onions under running tap water or completely under water can help, as can rinsing the onion and leaving it wet while cutting. Chilling the onion will prevent the enzymes from activating, which will limit the amount of gas generated. Some people will freeze their knives to enhance this effect. Finally, using a sharp knife will limit the cell damage, and therefore prevent the release of enzymes.

Different species of onions will release different amounts of sulphenic acids, thus some will cause more tear formation and irritation than others.

The characteristic odor of onions can be removed with lemon.

THE MORE YOU KNOW.


Fuck you, no tl;dr. See bolded for all you stupid muthafuckas.

[V]

sorry i dr

Then kindly stfu and gtfo, sir.

[36chambers]

I thought you were gonna say something about your bitch leavin you

[V]

I thought you were gonna say something about your bitch leavin you

Bitch can't leave me when she's chained to the stove.

[36chambers]

Bitch can't leave me when she's chained to the stove.

bitch cant leave me when she's on her knees

[6M69I69B9]

Thanks for the 35345th lesson for today.  educate;

[V]

Thanks for the 35345th lesson for today.  educate;

Never hurts to be educated furthermore.  pseudo;

[C.Mongler]

thank you for teaching me sir v, you are so kind

[V]

thank you for teaching me sir v, you are so kind

It is my job to keep you, my client educated in many aspects of life, sir. It is what I am paid for.  navi;

And to keep you out of legal trouble.

[Kalahari Inkantation]

Interesting.