COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF VITAMIN C LEVELS IN SOME COMMON FRUITS (APPLE, ORANGE, WATER MELON, PINEAPPLE AND SWEET MELON)

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF VITAMIN C LEVELS IN SOME COMMON FRUITS (APPLE, ORANGE, WATER MELON, PINEAPPLE AND SWEET MELON)

ABSTRACT

The goal of this research is to determine the concentration of vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) in some of a Common Fruits such as orange, apple, water melon, pineapple and sweetmelon by Redox Titration, involving an Iodometric method, has been used for the analysis. Pineapple (8±0.25) was used as reference standard and was lower than orange (15.6±0.13) but was significantly higher than apple (4.3±0.47), sweetmelon (7±0.29) and watermelon (3.7±0.54). This implies that apple, sweetmelon and watermelon have the lowest vitamin C content and orange has the highest vitamin C content from this analysis.

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

In botany, a fruit is the seed -bearing structure in flowering plants (also known as angiosperms) formed from the ovary after flowering. Fruits are the means by which angiosperms disseminate seeds. Edible fruits, in particular, have propagated with the movements of humans and animals in a symbiotic relationship as a means for seed dispersal and nutrition; in fact, humans and many animals have become dependent on fruits as a source of food. In common language usage, “fruit” normally means the fleshy seed-associated structures of a plant that are sweet or sour, and edible in the raw state, such as apples , bananas, grapes , lemons , oranges , and strawberries .

1.1       Background of the Study

Fruit has been recognized as a good source of vitamins and minerals, and for their role in preventing vitamin C and vitamin A deficiencies. People who eat fruit as part of an overall healthy diet generally have a reduced risk of chronic diseases. USDA’s My Plate encourages making half your plate fruits and vegetables for healthy eating. Fruit are important sources of many nutrients, including potassium, fiber, vitamin C and folate (folic acid). Try incorporating blueberries, citrus fruit, cranberries or strawberries which contain phytochemicals that are being studied for added health benefits. The nutrients in fruit are vital for health and maintenance of your body. The potassium in fruit can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Potassium may also reduce the risk of developing kidney stones and help to decrease bone loss as you age.

Folate (folic acid) helps the body form red blood cells. Women of childbearing age who may become pregnant and those in the first trimester of pregnancy need adequate folate. Folate helps prevent neural tube birth defects, such as spinal bifida.

1.2       Scope of the Study

This study will cover only the quantitative determination of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in five different of fruits which are

Fruits                                      Scientific name

Apple                                      Malus domestica

Orange                                    Citrus sinensis

Pineapple                                 Anana comosus

Watermelon                             Citrullus lanatus

Sweet melon                           cucumis melo

1.3       Definition of Terms

1. Apple (Malus domestica): The apple trees have been grown for more than thousand years now and there are almost 7500 different kinds of trees all around the world like the Golden Delicious, Winesap, Jonathan, and McIntosh. It is one of the most widely cultivated fruits throughout the globe, and the most widely known fruit utilized by mankind. Apple is considered to be a special fruit by the nature to the human mankind. Apples are mostly available in two colors – Red and Green; it appeared to be in circular shape almost all the times and rarely available in other shapes in some parts of the world. It is set to be a fruit with most number of nutrients.

Eating apples help in strengthening the bones. It also increases the bone intensity. Apples aid in preventing Alzheimer disease. It’s a kind of disease that affects brain cells. Research studies show that apple has the capability of preventing lung cancer, colon cancer, liver cancer and breast cancer.

2. Orange (Citrus sinensis): orange is a type of citrus fruit which people often eat. Oranges are a very good source of vitamins, especially vitamin C. Orange juice is an important part of many people’s breakfast. The “sweet orange”, which is the kind that is most often eaten today, grew first in Asia but now grows in many parts of the world. Oranges are round orange-coloured fruit that grow on a tree which can reach 10 metres (33 ft) high. Orange trees have dark green shiny leaves and small white flowers with five petals. The flowers smell very sweet which attracts many bees. Oranges are an important food source in many parts of the world for several reasons. They are a commonly available source of vitamin C. They last longer than many other fruits when they are stored. They are easy to transport because each orange comes in its own tough skin which acts as a container. They can be piled into heaps or carried in bags, lunchboxes and shipping containers without being easily damaged.
3. Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus): Watermelon was originated from southern African countries and from where it spread to rest of the tropical and subtropical regions. After a couple of weeks of seedling, plant bears many yellow flowers that may require honeybees for pollination. Externally, the fruit features smooth, deep green or yellow color thick exterior rind with light-green or gray colored vertical stripes all over its outer surface. Internally, its flesh is juicy, pink, red, or yellow with numerous small black seeds embedded in the middle-third portion of the flesh. Watermelon has neutral flavor, and its taste somewhat described as plain-sweet water (light sugar syrup). Its flesh is soft yet crunchy unlike soft, creamy texture of muskmelons.

Varieties of watermelon-fruits are cultivated world over, featuring variation in their size, shape, and color of the flesh (red, orange, and yellow). Watermelons are very low in calories (just 30 calories per 100 g) and carry minimal fats. Nonetheless, they plentiful in numerous health promoting phyto-nutrients and anti-oxidants essential for optimum health. Watermelon fruit is a good source of potassium; Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. It, thus, offers protection against stroke and coronary heart diseases.

4. Pineapple (Anana comosus): Pineapple is a tropical, perennial, drought-tolerant plant. It grows up to 5-8 ft in height and spreads around about 3-4 feet radius cover. It is essentially a short, stout stem with a rosette of waxy long, needle-tipped leaves. The color in the ripe fruits may be yellow, orange-yellow or reddish. Internally, its juicy flesh may range from creamy white to yellow and has a mix of sweet and tart taste with rich flavor. Each fruit measures up to 12 inches in length and weighs 1 to 8 pounds or more. The outer skin features rough, tough, and scaly rind.

Pineapple or ananas season lasts from March until June when fresh fruits available in the markets at their best. In the store, choose that are heavy for their size. While larger fruits will have a greater proportion of edible flesh, they make no difference in quality over a small size pineapple. A good, ripe pineapple has a dull, solid sound while immaturity and poor quality are indicated by a hollow thud. It stops ripening as soon as it is picked; therefore, choose fruit with a fragrant sweet smell at the stem end. Avoid those that smell musty, sour or fermented. Ripe fruits perish quickly if left at room temperature and should be eaten rather early. Moreover, since they are chill sensitive and therefore, cannot be stored in the refrigerator for long periods. However, if not readily eaten; you may prepare the fruit and place the whole or cut sections wrapped inside a thin plastic cover in the refrigerator for 1-2 days for later use.

5. Sweet Melon or Honeydew (cucumis melo): The title ‘honeydew melon’ is definitely the American term for what exactly is also referred to as ‘Balian’ or even ‘Wallace’ melon. Due to the fact honeydew plants need to have a warm dry climate to develop and provide fruit, these types of melons didn’t allow it to be in America up until the 1800s, right after locations just like California as well as Arizona were populated as well as farmed. Honeydew melon is a member of the melon family. It is usually round in shape with a pale green flesh. Cultivated in semiarid regions, its juicy and sweet flesh is commonly incorporated in salads. The primary vitamins that are found in honeydew melons are vitamins A and C. The 53% DV of vitamin C helps the body to strengthen resistance from oxygen-free radicals and other harmful agents. Honeydew melon is a wonderful method of obtaining vitamin C – an anti-oxidant vitamin that can help to improve levels of collagen – the protein that provides skin its youth as well as suppleness.

1.4       Aims and Objectives

1. To shine a spotlight on the role of vitamin C in both preventing and treating a wide variety of health conditions including acute and chronic illnesses caused by infectious or toxic agents, degenerative diseases (such as atherosclerosis and cancer), aging, and nutritional deficiency.
2. To educate the public and health care professionals about a means of achieving optimal health and longevity, through the advocacy of higher-than-RDA ascorbate intake, along with intake of other complementary and synergistic micronutrients or dietary substances. As part of the Foundation’s educational activities it will supply cautionary warnings regarding situations in which megadose vitamin C intake could be potentially harmful to particular individuals due to genetic and biochemical anomalies or certain health conditions such as G6PD deficiency or hemochromatosis.
3. To provide information about the many uses of vitamin C, resources for supply, and appropriate dosages to health providers, the media, and the public. The principal means of doing so will be through producing print and electronic (on-line) publications, such as journals that have information aimed at a professional readership and other writings directed towards the lay person.

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