Broccolli turning red in tank??

[smcnally]

Hi Randy,
I don't know if you saw this post over at BRS, but I was wondering if you had any idea what could cause this. I put Broccoli that is soaked in garlic and Selcon in my tank for my tangs along with Nori. If I put the Broccolli in on my way to work, it starts turning red by the time I get home. Here's a picture:

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Does it wipe off, or is it impregnated?

It might be that the green chlorophyll has leached out (like in fall colors on trees), but I've heard of that happening in a tank before.

 

[smcnally]

It's impregnated.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Well, it's interesting.

 

[smcnally]

Damnit, man...I was expecting you to tell me something so intriguing, that I would have no clue what you were talking about. C'mon...make something up

 

[beeda]

The color is probably anthocyanins the plant produced trying to protect itself, probably from the salt.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

.make something up

You got some of the rare redicolorousbrocci. When exposed to the potassium in seawater, it forms a coordination complex between the potassium and a cystinine dye in the plant that turns from green to red.

How's that

 

[bertoni]

Make something up?

What red? Looks green to me.

 

[smcnally]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6590031#post6590031 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randy Holmes-Farley
.make something up

You got some of the rare redicolorousbrocci. When exposed to the potassium in seawater, it forms a coordination complex between the potassium and a cystinine dye in the plant that turns from green to red.

How's that

That's amazing! When I asked Don Herbert the question, he gave me the exact same answer!

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Excellent. Then it must be correct.

 

[Hobster]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6599835#post6599835 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Randy Holmes-Farley
Excellent. Then it must be correct.

But......... Is it true for ALL Brocoli or just the pregnant variety?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

. Is it true for ALL Brocoli or just the pregnant variety?

All broccoli grown on the south shore of Massachusetts in January.