Mystery solved: Scientists explain how citrus fruit changed colour after it was chopped up

The reason why a piece of citrus fruit turned a shade of purple has been uncovered by scientists. 

Brisbane mother-of-two Neti Moffitt was shocked earlier this month after she cut open an orange only for the fruit to turn a vibrant shade of purple.

Worried for her children, she contacted Queensland Health and after an anxious wait scientists have revealed the simple reaction which caused the colour change.

The citrus fruit turned a shade of purple after it was cut open earlier this month – it was due to anthocyanins in the orange reacting with iron particles on a recently sharpened knife

Anthocyanins in the orange reacted with loose iron particles present on the sharpened knife Ms Moffitt used to cut the piece of fruit. 

‘It’s an amazing outcome – I’m glad we could find an answer, I’ve always had a curious nature,’ she told Daily Mail Australia. 

‘I also received a letter from the Queensland Department of Health thanking me for going the extra mile.

‘It is such a rare thing to happen, I was keen to pursue it to end up with a definitive answer.’ 

She also has no plans to stop purchasing oranges for her family. 

‘We will still happily eat oranges.. we definitely won’t be boycotting oranges from our local fruit and vegetable shop.’

Queensland mother Neti Moffitt (pictured above) was searching for answers after cutting up a piece of orange which then turned a few shades of purple

The ‘offending’ kitchen knife which was taken away to be forensically examined after a Queensland mother was baffled after a piece of orange she cut up at home turned purple