In Brooklyn College Biology Lab 1001, my group performed a 3 week trial experiment. The experiment focused on how solvents like Vitamin B, C and caffeine have on this plant.

1. The Effect of Stimulating Solvents in Corn Seed Plant Growth
Joniqua Christopher, Danielle Coco, Brianna Nicolas and Pume Chikowi
The Abstract

2. 1
An experiment was performed to investigate how the addition of different stimulating
solvents would accelerate growth in corn seed plants. We planted, germinated, and grew corn
seed plants. We introduced caffeine, B Vitamins, and Vitamin C into the soil of the plants by
using different solvents. One solvent was with the Red Bull Energy Drink, another was tap water
mixed with the Emergen-C was the solute, and the last was plain tap water. We evaluated the
effects of the control plant that was not exposed to caffeine, B Vitamins, or Vitamin C stimulants
in comparison to the ones with stimulants which were the experimental plants. Our results
showed that stimulants did not accelerate the corn seed plants growth, but stunted them. All three
plants were grown under the same conditions like the temperature and number of seeds, but the
water solvent had the most successful results. We initially hypothesized that the stimulating
solvents would increase the growth of the corn seed plants, but we were proven wrong.
The Introduction
The hypothesis of this experiment is to determine if the addition of different stimulating
solvents would have a positive growth effect in corn seed plants. Stimulants in general, create a
fast rush of energy that speeds up the central nervous system and thinking in humans. For plants,
we believe that the stimulating solvents will provide additional energy for the plants to grow
even faster than normal. The stimulants used in this experiment are the major ingredients found
in the original Red Bull Energy Drink and Super Orange Emergen-C, which is a powdered drink
mix vitamin supplement. The Red Bull major stimulant is caffeine, but there is also the presence
of B Vitamins (Figure 3). One 8.4 ounce can of Red Bull contains 80 milligrams of caffeine,
which is about the same amount that is found in a cup of coffee (Red Bull Ingredients). The other
stimulants in Red Bull have specifically 250% Vitamin B6 and 80% Vitamin B12. This equates
to approximately 5.04 milligrams of Vitamin B6 and 5.06 micrograms of Vitamin B12
(SkipthePie) . The Emergen-C major stimulant is Vitamin C which has 1,000 milligrams in one
packet (Figure 4). The additional stimulants, Vitamin B6 and B12 have a much smaller amounts
with 10 milligrams of Vitamin B6 and 25 micrograms of Vitamin B12. When we speak of
solvents, we men liquids where solutes, or substances are dissolved. In Red Bull the stimulant
solvent contains mostly caffeine and in the Emergen-C it is mostly Vitamin C.
We will start off with caffeine to see the effect of these stimulants on plant growth.
Caffeine has either a beneficial, or stunted response in plants. It is beneficial when the plant
grows faster than it normally would when stimulants are added to the soil. When there is a
stunted response, the plant grows slowly or not at all. Caffeine is a central nervous system
stimulating drug which speeds up the central nervous system. Caffeine is the world’s most
popular drug that reduces drowsiness, enhances mood, and promotes vigilance (Penner 362).
Caffeine also “boosts the capacity for physical work” which is why we hypothesize that it will
also boost the growth of the plant (Penner 362). At high doses, “caffeine causes tremors and
anxieties”, luckily the dosage in Red Bull is only a moderate amount so we assumed that it will
not stunt the plant growth (Penner 362).
Vitamins are essential micronutrients that are required for maintaining normal bodily
functions (Red Bull Ingredients). B group Vitamins are important for getting energy from

3. 2
nutrients by breaking down carbohydrates and protein. There is not any clear evidence that states
that B vitamins stimulate plant growth but Advanced Nutrients' researchers believe that B
vitamin supplements produces stronger plants with a higher yield than those without the
treatment (Van Hooser). As for Vitamin C, in humans it is essential in maintaining a healthy
immune system, and it is critical to the formation of collagen, a structural protein that supports
the skin and internal organs (Emergen-C). Scientists from the University of Exeter and Shimane
University in Japan have proved for the first time that Vitamin C is essential for plant growth. It
is already known that Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps plants deal with stress from drought
due to ozone and UV radiation. Now these scientists discovered that plants can live without this
stress by adding Vitamin C (University of Exeter). Every organism lives more efficient lives
without stress, so this also added to our hypothesis as to why we believe the stimulant would
enhance the corn seed plant’s growth.
When a seed starts to grow, we say it germinates (Figure 1). Cotyledons are the first
leaves produced by plants that are a part of the embryo, or undeveloped plant (Figure 2). The
cotyledons store food and feed off of the nutrients in the seed until the true leaves develop and
begin photosynthesizing (Iannotti). This is the process when green plants use sunlight to make
food from carbon dioxide and water (Figure 5). When the seed starts to germinate, the first thing
to come out is the main root. The skin will split and the tiny shoot will straighten bringing
cotyledons with it. The main root will increase in size and the side roots and leaves will become
visible. The seed needs to grow in a warm and damp environment and a dry seed will stay
dormant unless it absorbs some water. Corn plants are photoautotrophs which are autotrophs that
use light as a source of energy to make organic molecules. Photoautotrophs make a large
proportion of the Earth's organic molecules using photosynthesis. Photoautotrophs and
heterotrophs metabolize organic molecules in cellular respiration to supply their energy. Cellular
respiration makes carbon dioxide and water, and is used to make chemical energy. The carbon
dioxide is released into the atmosphere and can be reused by photoautotrophs to make more
organic molecules like glucose (Brooker 155). In this way, an energy cycle between
photosynthesis and cellular respiration sustains life on our planet. In this experiment, we believe
added energy from the stimulants will increase the growth of the corn seed plants.
Materials and Methods
We were given three small plant pots filled with soil. First we sunk three corn seeds into
the soil at the bottom of each pot. Next, we labeled each pot stating all of the conditions. On one
pot we wrote dependent, which is short for dependent variable, and indicated that tap water
would be the only solvent put in there. On the second pot we labeled it as independent 1, short
for independent variable, and indicated that Red Bull would go in it. The last pot was also
labeled as independent 2 and indicated the Emergen-C would go inside. On all of the pots we
wrote that they would be in a room that has light room temperature which is 74 degrees
fahrenheit like the open lab room. We also wrote the date October 15, 2015, the type of seed we
were using, and our group’s combined initials to differentiate our plants from other groups. Next,
we took a small graduated cylinder and poured 100 milliliters of tap water inside. Then we

4. 3
poured this into the pot labeled dependent. Immediately after, we measured out 100 milliliters of
Red Bull and poured that into the independent 1 pot. Lastly, we filled a small plastic cup with the
same tap water, emptied one packet of Emergen-C into it, and mixed it until it was dissolved.
Once we measured out 100 milliliters from that we poured it into independent pot 2. The next
day which was a Friday, we noticed cotyledons growing continued to water the plants. This time
we measured 50 milliliters for each pot instead of 100 milliliters. This was because the first pot
we put tap water into, which was the dependent pot, overflowed with water. We wanted to avoid
overflowing another pot so we put half the amount of solvent in the independent 1 and 2 pots.
We returned to water the plants but continued to use 100 milliliters despite the pots overflowing
on Tuesday the 20th, Thursday the 22nd, Friday the 23rd, and the same days of the following
week. By the third week we noticed a significant amount of dying leaves and decided to end the
experiment.
Results
The table below shows an overview of our corn seed plant experiment. It shows that our
soil was given, we used three corn seeds in each pot, the types and amounts of solvents, and the
temperature.
Corn Seed Plant Experiment Overview
Soil Seeds Solvent Temperature
Dependent
Variable
Given 3 Corn Tap Water 100ml
(50 ml once)
Light Room
Temperature
Independent
Variable 1
Given 3 Corn Tap Water with Red Bull
100ml (50 ml once)
Light Room
Temperature
Independent
Variable 2
Given 3 Corn Tap Water with Emergen-C
100ml (50 ml once)
Light Room
Temperature
During our experiment I took photographs of the plants in the beginning, but do not be alarmed
these were prop photos we actually measured the amounts first before pouring them in. I also
took photographs of the growth heights in the corn seed plants.

5. 4
I took photos of the initial cotyledon growth the second day we went to water them. The
dependent plant which had only tap water was 3 centimeters tall. Independent 1 plant which
contained Red Bull as the solvent showed no growth. Lastly independent 2 plant which was the
Emergen-C solvent grew 1 ½ centimeters tall.

6. 5
Seven days later we watered each plant with 100 milliliters of solvent and recorded their growth.
Plant Type Growth Height 7 Days After
Dependent Water Plant 23 cm
Independent 1 Red Bull Plant 0 cm
Independent 2 Emergen-C Plant 18 cm
By the third and last week we observed that our plant leaves were browning and this indicates
poor watering habits. The soil in the plants were very dry even though we were over watering
them three days a week. The final plant heights were 36 centimeters for the dependent plant and
0 centimeters for independent 1 plant which contained Red Bull. Lastly independent 2 plant
which was with the Emergen-C solvent grew 18 centimeters tall.

7. 6
Plant Type Growth Height 3rd & Last Week
Dependent Water Plant 36 cm
Independent 1 Red Bull Plant 0 cm
Independent 2 Emergen-C Plant 18 cm

8. 7
This line graph also shows the gradual plant height growth. The blue line represents the
dependent plant that only received water. The red line shows the growth of the independent 1
Red Bull plant and the orange plant shows the growth of the independent 2 Emergen-C plant.
Discussion
The experiment suffered many flaws since our organization was not preferable. It would
have been ideal if we consistently visited the open lab to water the plants every weekday or at
least every other day. Another mistake we made was not sticking to one measuring limit.
Initially, when we came up with watering the corn seed plants with 100 milliliters it seemed like
a good idea because it was only 3 ounces. Once we first poured it into the dependent pot we
noticed overflowing. Thus resulting in us lowering in the amount for the other pots. The major
problem is that we completely forgot to keep pouring 50 millileters since we were rushing in
between Biology lab and lecture classes to correctly water the plants. We ultimately thought
overflowing might be beneficial since we were not always able to go and water them. Our
packed schedules also played into the fact of skewing our data. Our hypothesis was not correct
because the different solute stimulants did not in fact accelerate the growth as we expected, but
stunted it.
This is shown in the plants that were watered with Red Bull and Emergen-C. The
abundance of caffeine in the Red Bull showed a stunted growth reaction in this plant. The
independent plant 1 did not germinate at all (Figure 6). Although 80 milligrams of caffeine is not
considered dangerous or a high dosage in humans, we assume that it is for the corn seed plant.

9. 8
The caffeine probably served as a stressor for the plant or caused anxiety like Penner previously
mentioned, and that could have inhibited the growth. The B Vitamins also seemed not to do
anything to the plant, although Van Hooser previously mentioned that the Advanced Nutrients'
researchers believe that B vitamin supplements produces stronger plants with a higher yield than
those without the treatment. This is shown to be incorrect since neither the Red Bull plant nor the
Emergen-C plant grew more than the plant with tap water. Even when digging through the soils
of the plants at the end of the experiment I noticed that they were extremely dry but the
dependent plant was slightly less dry. As for the Emergen-C plant, it showed a good amount of
growth that is probably due to the abundance of Vitamin C. The Vitamin C is an antioxidant that
helps plants deal with stress, we believe that independent plant 2 was relieved of possible stress
because of the Vitamin C. The previously discussed scientists’ discovery proved that plants can
live without this stress by adding Vitamin C and it is shown in our plant. Although the
independent plant 2 also contained B Vitamins, it did not show as much of a negative effect on
the plant as independent plant 1’s stimulant combination of caffeine and B Vitamins. Lastly
when you compare the overall growth of both independent plants to the dependent plant it is
evident that the plant with only tap water showed the most beneficial growth. The absence of
stimulants kept the corn seed plant growing as normal as ever. Although all three plants had the
same conditions like the temperature and number of seeds, the water solvent had the most
successful results. It grew 36 centimeters more than the Red Bull plant and 18 centimeters more
than the Emergen-C plant. The significance of these results show that stimulants do not
accelerate the growth in corn seed plants and it is better to just use water alone.
Conclusion
In conclusion, our hypothesis that the addition of different stimulant solvents would accelerate
growth in corn seed plants was incorrect. With observation of the plant heights, we found the
dependent plant that did not have stimulants showed the most beneficial results. The extreme
dryness of the soils shows that we did not keep a proper watering schedule for the plants. The
caffeine, B Vitamin and Vitamin C stimulants stunted or slowed down the growth in the corn
seed plants.
References
Brooker, Robert J. "Chapter 8 Photosynthesis." Biology. 3rd ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill,

10. 9
2014. N. pag. Print.
Emergen-C." Glossary. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2015.
Iannotti, Marie. "What Are Cotyledons, Monocots and Dicots?" About.com Home. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2015.
"Nutritional Info: Energy Drink, RED BULL, with Added Caffeine, Niacin, Pantothenic
Acid, Vitamins B6 and B12." SkipThePie.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2015.
Penner, Louis, Alison Clarke-Stewart, and Edward Roy. "Chapter 9 Consciousness."
Psychology. By Douglas Bernstein. 9th ed. Belmont: Wadsworth Cengage Learning,
2012. 360-62. Print.
"Red Bull Ingredients." Ingredients. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2015.
University of Exeter. "Vitamin C is Essential For Plant Growth." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 27
September 2007. Web. 18 Nov. 2015.
Van Hooser, Tamara. "What Kinds of Vitamins Do Plants Need?" Home Guides. N.p., n.d. Web.
18 Nov. 2015.
Acknowledgements- Danielle Coco and Brianna Nicolas
Appendices
Corn Seed Germination Figure 1 Emergence of Cotyledon and True Leaf Figure 2

11. 10
Red Bull Nutritional Facts Figure 3
Emergen-C Nutritional Facts Figure 4

12. 11
Simple image of Plant Photosynthesis Figure 5
Photo of the Un-germinated Seed in Independent Plant 1 Figure 6