Investigation of the Vitamin C Content of Florida Fruits and Vegetables

Abstract

Differences in vitamin C content both among samples of one variety and among different varieties of citrus fruit may be very large. Individual trees tend to produce fruit the vitamin C content of which varies only within narrow limits, but these small variations are sufficient to mask any changes occurring during maturation of the fruit. Changes in vitamin C content of oranges during maturation are not large. Variations in vitamin C content among oranges did not correlate with the different geographical locations in which they were grown. The vitamin C concentration of oranges and grapefruit may increase during the first few weeks of cold storage; after this, the concentration of vitamin C drops off slowly.