Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Chemistry => Topic started by: cheryl j on 16/11/2011 01:58:01

Title: what is fish slime made of
Post by: cheryl j on 16/11/2011 01:58:01
I vaguely remember my organic chemistry teacher explaining why fish slime is so hard to get off your hands, but it was 1982, and I'd like hear the explanation again. The simple answer was that if it didnt stick to your hands, it wouldnt stick to a fish in water either. The chemistry explanation had something to do with an amine containing "an azo bond" or triple bonded nitrogen atoms - I think. And I recall him saying it helped somewhat to lower the pH and raise the temperature, which is why some people often use hot lemon juice. (Actually spraying "Fantastic" on your hands works really well I found after cleaning fish.)