Xia Huanao swallowed the remaining half of the egg, yolk and all, with a gulp, patting his chest to help it down.
Xia Huanao entered the research lab, intending to retrieve the concentrated fruit juice component analysis table he had measured the previous day. However, after searching for a long time, he couldn't recall where he had put the table.
With no other option, Xia Huanao took out another fruit, processed it into concentrated fruit juice, and conducted another test.
However, the results were not satisfactory. The protein content in the concentrated fruit juice was practically non-existent, making it impossible for Xia Huanao to solidify the juice by denaturing proteins.
Protein denaturation refers to the process where the original spatial conformation of proteins is destroyed under the influence of physical or chemical factors, thus altering their physicochemical properties. However, even if all the proteins in the concentrated fruit juice were denatured, it would be impossible to turn the egg white into a substance like a hard-boiled egg white. After all, egg whites have a protein content exceeding ten percent and retain a certain elasticity after coagulation. With something like concentrated fruit juice, let alone making Poké Puffs, you might not even be able to make Poké Blocks.
Seeing Xia Huanao's distressed expression, Lu Kunwu asked, "What's wrong, little Xia? Encountered any difficulties?"
Xia Huanao raised the table in his hand, "Kunwu-ge, the protein content in this concentrated fruit juice is very low."
Lu Kunwu was taken aback, "Of course, it's not high. Fruit juice is essentially the cell sap of fruit cells. How much protein do you expect to get from cell sap?"
Xia Huanao found this reasonable. After all, plant cell sap only contains inorganic salts, carbohydrates, amino acids, and pigments. While amino acids can form proteins, they require dehydration condensation. Simple amino acids and proteins are two different things.
Since Xia Huanao couldn't extract protein from the concentrated fruit juice, he had to find another way to achieve protein denaturation. And Lu Kunwu's explanation of proteins did provide him with a new avenue.
Cells definitely contain proteins. Although fruit cell sap doesn't, the cytoplasm and cell membrane certainly do.
Xia Huanao took out the fruit that had been processed into pulp for juice and suddenly thought of the raisins he ate in his previous life. They had a good texture, but they were sometimes too strong for him to eat frequently.
He placed the fruit pulp on an evaporating dish and heated it. While observing the changes in the pulp, Xia Huanao suddenly realized something: the pulp was already in a solid-like state. Why bother with protein denaturation?
With this thought, Xia Huanao removed the evaporating dish and turned off the alcohol lamp. After the evaporating dish cooled, Xia Huanao collected the pulp and went outside to lick it.
"Pah! It's disgusting. I used a Peachy-Peachy Fruit, why is it so bland, with no sweetness at all?"
The system contemplated, "You can't treat it like dried raisins. Raisins are dried to remove water, but the sugar remains. You've directly squeezed out the cell sap, so how much sugar is left?"
Xia Huanao realized the system was right. He took the fruit pulp back to the research lab to continue his experiments.
Xia Huanao took out a piece of paper and began to organize his thoughts, which were quite jumbled at the moment.
"Poké Puffs are made by processing fruits into cubes while retaining their fruit-like characteristics."
As he spoke, Xia Huanao drew a large cell on the paper. "To retain the fruit's characteristics, the nutrients within the cell must be preserved, and the most important component should be protein. If protein is needed, then the fruit pulp is essential."
Xia Huanao drew an arrow from the cell and labeled it "protein." He then drew another arrow from the large vacuole but left it unwritten.
Next to the cell, Xia Huanao drew a fruit and a multitude of arrows pointing away from it. One arrow was labeled "pulp," and another was labeled "juice."
"If the pulp is processed into cubes using high temperature and pressure, wouldn't that achieve the basic structure of a Poké Puff?"
"Kunwu-ge, do we have any equipment in the lab that can heat and pressurize?"
"Why don't you just use a pressure cooker?"
"A pressure cooker requires water. I need something that doesn't use water." 138 Reading Network
Lu Kunwu thought for a moment and then said, "Equipment number eight by the door can do that. It's your first time using it, so I'll help you."
With that, Lu Kunwu put down his work and went with Xia Huanao to the equipment. "What do you want to do? What temperature and pressure?"
Xia Huanao shook his head, "I don't know. I just want to press these things into a cube shape."
Lu Kunwu was surprised, "That's all the requirement? That makes it much simpler."
Watching Lu Kunwu skillfully operate the machine and produce a cube, Xia Huanao stared at it. "Is it very difficult to press it into this shape?"
"Not really. You can do it at home too. Oh, done."
The two of them took the cube out of the equipment. Xia Huanao blew on it vigorously, hoping to cool it down faster. To his surprise, it immediately fell apart.
Xia Huanao frowned as he looked at the cube that had turned into powder. This wasn't quite right. He had planned to consider the flavoring issue after forming the cube, but now there wasn't even a cube to begin with.
Staring at the pile of powder, Xia Huanao thought hard and quickly came up with a second method.
Xia Huanao took the concentrated fruit juice he had prepared earlier, mixed it with the fruit pulp, and handed the mixture to Lu Kunwu. "Kunwu-ge, could you please do it again?"
Lu Kunwu placed the mixture, which had become a paste, into the equipment and asked, "Is it the same as before this time?"
Xia Huanao nodded, "Yes. Can you rapidly evaporate the water?"
Lu Kunwu nodded, indicating it was possible, and then began the second experiment.
This experiment took slightly longer than the previous one, but it yielded a result. Looking at the pink cube before him, Xia Huanao nodded. "I guess this should count as a success."
After a period of cooling, Xia Huanao reached out and picked up the cube, pressing it firmly. "Hmm, not bad. It should be a success."
Lu Kunwu looked at the cube in Xia Huanao's hand. "How is it? Did it work?"
Xia Huanao slowly shook his head. "I'm not sure. We'll know once we test it."
The two of them placed the cube into a small silver device and began the analysis.
"Hmm, purely from its internal composition, it's no different from a fruit. So, you've concentrated the fruit?"
Xia Huanao thought for a moment. "Something like that. Kunwu-ge, can you test its difference from a Peachy-Peachy Fruit?"
"Of course. Bring a Peachy-Peachy Fruit."
The two of them measured the data for both the Peachy-Peachy Fruit and the cube. The conclusion was that the cube contained slightly less energy than the Peachy-Peachy Fruit.
Lu Kunwu sighed, "If that's the case, this cube doesn't have much significance."
Xia Huanao stroked his chin. Poké Puffs were not designed to train Pokémon for battle. Their effect was to enhance a Pokémon's stats for Contests to a certain extent. Additionally, some special cubes could have other unique effects.
With this in mind, Xia Huanao released Xiaomeng and said to Lu Kunwu, "Kunwu-ge, could you help me measure Xiaomeng's data? A check-up."
Lu Kunwu thought this was reasonable. After all, items made for Pokémon could only be assessed by a Pokémon that had actually used them.
Xia Huanao was coaxing Xiaomeng, "Xiaomeng, would you let this brother measure your data for a check-up, okay?"
Xiaomeng, who generally didn't refuse Xia Huanao, walked unsteadily onto the measuring instrument. She allowed Lu Kunwu to attach the measuring equipment to her. After a five-minute test, Lu Kunwu nodded at Xia Huanao. "Okay, done."
Xia Huanao handed the freshly made cube to Xiaomeng. "Xiaomeng, eat this."
Xiaomeng immediately put the pink cube in her mouth and clapped her hands, indicating to Xia Huanao that she wanted more. Xia Huanao patted Xiaomeng's head. "Okay, I'll make you more later."
Lu Kunwu continued to monitor Xiaomeng's internal energy data. Soon, he noticed that the total energy contained within Xiaomeng began to increase, although the increase was not significant.
The two of them conducted a series of further experiments and reached the following conclusions:
Both the cubes and the fruits contain a certain amount of energy. However, fruits primarily rely on different proteins, combined with their inherent energy, to achieve various effects, such as restoring stamina or healing status conditions.
While cubes also contain energy, the high-temperature and high-pressure processing during their creation denatures the proteins, preventing them from achieving special effects in conjunction with the energy within the cube.
In this regard, the effects of cubes seem to be far inferior to those of fruits. However, Xia Huanao and Lu Kunwu also discovered that the energy contained within the cubes is more easily absorbed by Pokémon. While they cannot achieve special effects, they can improve a Pokémon's health condition, albeit to a very small degree.
Xia Huanao understood that this was the essence of a cube's role in Pokémon Contests. However, the data-driven conclusion also proved that a cube made from a single fruit had a limited potential.
Xia Huanao decided to try using two fruits. Lu Kunwu agreed with this idea, as there is a saying: "Discussing toxicity without considering dosage is just mouthing off."
The two of them chose a Cheri Berry and a Bluk Berry to make a second cube.
"Kunwu-ge, if I use a different Pokémon for the experiment, will there be different results?"
Lu Kunwu nodded. "The results will be affected by the individual Pokémon. However, if you want to control the variables, I don't recommend changing Pokémon at this point."
Thus, Xiaomeng swallowed the second cube. The slightly spicy cube was not to Xiaomeng's liking. Although she swallowed it, it was evident from her expression that she wasn't enjoying it.
Upon testing, the second cube's effectiveness was far better than the first.
In comparison, Lu Kunwu speculated: Although both were compressed under high temperature and pressure, the molecules in the two fruits moved more vigorously during the compression process. Therefore, despite its larger volume compared to the first cube, its effect surpassed that of consuming two cubes made from a single fruit.