Abstract
Some vegetable fruits including cucumbers, princemelons (Cucurbitaceae) and okra (Malvaceae) were studied in respect to the changes in vitamin C content in different part, tissue and growth period. The following results were obtained.
1) The average vitamin C content of a fruit body per vegetable was highest in the juvenile period both with cucumbers and okra and it decreased in the cource of growth. Princemelons showed the same tendency as cucumbers in the immature period but the average content rapidly increased again when the fruit reaches the mature period.
2) In terms of the parts of these fruits both cucumbers and okra have more vitamin C through the entire growth period when one moves further towards the apical portion. Princemelons have the richest vitamin C content in the base during the immature period. Upon reaching the mature period, however, it has the richest vitamin C content rather in the terminal portion as well as the other two.
3) As for different tissues of the fruits cucumber, princemelon, and okra have greater vitamin C content in the seed and placenta than in the flesh except with princemelons in its matured period. This tendency is marked in the initial period of the growth, and as maturity goes on, the content decreases. The cortex of cucumbers and princemelons have more vitamin C as compared with their flesh, and this cortex vitamin C increases along with growth. Regarding vitamin C in flesh, cucumber, princemelon, and okra all showed the same tendency as with the average vitamin C quantity per fruit body that has been described.
4) Dehydroascorbic acid contents with Cucumbers, princemelons and okra show almost the same tendency as those of the total vitamin C.
