Abstract
Radish plants (Raphanus sativus L. var. acanthiformis Makino) were cultivated by solution culture with various concentration of boron in medium to determine the relationship between the amount of L-ascorbic acid and boron contained in leaves. Storage experiments were conducted with the cultivated plants to investigate the effect of storage on L-ascorbic acid content as affected by boron in leaves. Results obtained are as follows: -
1) High correlation was obtained between ascorbic acid content and boron concentration in leaves in the range of 22.7-73.8ppm B in dry weight basis.
2) The higher the concentration of boron in leaves, the lesser the reduction in the content of ascorbic acid during the storage under room temperature in polyethylene bag was observed.
3) Freezing of the tissue in deep freezer decreased the ascorbic acid content as compared with storages in refrigerator (3°C) or under room temperature.
4) Enzymatic- or auto-oxidation of ascorbic acid due to the destruction of the tissue by freezing and thawing process was suggested.
