Antiscorbutic value of lucerne

Abstract

By the indophenol reaction confirmed by biol. tests alfalfa is an outstandingly good source of vit. C, the conc. in the av. leaf examined being about 4 times that found in citrus juice. The original activity rapidly diminishes when the cells are damaged, but much of the vitamin remains after cooking, and the plant can be dried in such a way that alfalfa meal of high activity is obtained. Since alfalfa is also a rich source of vit. A and E and is also unusually rich in Ca and Fe, the possibility of using certain types of the young plant as a human food, either as green salad, cooked, or in the form of dry meal, is worthy of consideration.