ISSN:
1745-4557
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
Notes:
California-grown asparagus purchased from wholesale markets and retail stores in the greater New York area 6 to 9 days after harvest, and California asparagus purchased at retail stores in the greater New York area then stored 3 days at 5.5 °C and 90–95% relative humidity to simulate consumer holding were analyzed for total ascorbic acid (AA), L-ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA) and riboflavin content. Asparagus from wholesale markets, retail stores and storage averaged 15, 10, and 9mg AA/100g freshweight, respectively. The average was 77% less than reported in freshly harvested California asparagus. Samples of asparagus from wholesale markets contained significantly more AA than were found in retail or stored samples. Riboflavin content in asparagus from wholesale, retail and storage levels were .030, .029, and .033 mg/100g freshweight, respectively. These values were not statistically different, and were on the average 79% less than those reported for fresh California asparagus. DHAA ranged from 1.5 mg/100g freshweight in asparagus purchased from wholesale markets to 3.0 mg/100g freshweight in stored asparagus. Sixteen percent of the total AA in samples of wholesale, retail and stored asparagus was oxidized to DHAA. Thus it is questionable whether or not L-ascorbic acid is a good indication of the total vitamin C in asparagus purchased at terminal markets.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-4557.1986.tb00791.x
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