1985 Volume 32 Issue 4 Pages 295-300
The test solution for estimating ascorbic acid (AsA) in the fruit of Satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.) was prepared in the usual procedure except for containing the destruction of ascorbate oxidase in the fruit by the heating with micro wave and the removal of an interfering factor against total AsA analysis by the adsorption Japanese acid clay. Total AsA, AsA and dehydro AsA in the test solution were determined by the difference spectral method and the content of these compounds was surveyed at different growing stages of the fruit. Total AsA (mg%) in the peel of the fruit was comparatively high in an early growing stage (late in June) and then decreased toward the middle of August, when it showed a minimum value. Afterwards, the compound increased to the same level as a young fruit until the last stage of development. The amount of total AsA calculated per fruit slightly increased by late August and markedly rose after this period. This suggests that the compound may be stored in the peel as the fruit was ripened. The tendency in the change of its amount in the pulp was similar to that in the peel. Total AsA in both peel and pulp of the fruit was mostly AsA. Dehydro AsA was rarely found in developing fruits.
