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Vitamin C: Mortal in Heat, Immortal in Cold

CSEF · 2009 Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology Honorable_mention Award

Ramakrishnan Kumaran · Acacia Middle School, Hemet, Riverside County

Overview

Objectives/Goals To determine vitamin C stability in citrus fruits stored at room temperature (28 degrees Celsius) for two weeks. Methods/Materials 10 percent tangerine (Citrus reticulata) juice was titrated against iodine solution with starch as an indicator: starch indicates the endpoint of reaction between vitamin C and iodine by changing the color of the solution from colorless to a bluish-purple solution. Tangerines were stored in oven with light on to maintain a constant temperature of 28 degrees Celsius. Results Reduction of Vitamin C concentration was observed in tangerines stored at room temperature for two weeks. Vitamin C dropped steeply during the first two days, but declined more gradually during the next eleven days. Conclusions/Discussion The observed decrease in Vitamin C concentration in tangerines stored at room temperature possibly occurred due to increased fructose production, thereby leading to Vitamin C decomposition. The above investigation can be improved by reading core temperatures of fruit-samples for accuracy, and testing a single tangerine over a period of time instead of testing several individual fruit samples. Similar tests can be performed on a variety of fresh produce, to understand the effect of room temperature on destruction/depletion of essential nutrients in fruits and vegetables.

Summary statement

This project tested whether or not the Vitamin C content in citrus fruits (tangerines) declined over the course of two weeks when stored at room temperature.

Help received

Parents helped create board and proofread articles; our neighbor helped by contributing fruits for conducting the study; teachers offered their tireless support, encouragement and valuable thoughts.

Awards (1)

  • Honorable Mention

Competition history

  • CSEF 2009 Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology · Entry J0413

Resources

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