Evaluation of Ascorbic Acid Contents in Selected Fruits using Iodometric method and UV Spectrophotometer

摘要

Background: Vitamin C being an essential vitamin in the body is important for physiological functions of the body and this cannot be synthesized in the body, hence the need for the intake of fruits as supplier of vitamin C in the body. There are many fruits available locally in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria and sufficient information are not available using the iodometric and Uv spectrophotomer methods in estimating the ascorbic acid contents simultaneously. Objective: The needs to quantify the ascorbic acid contents of five selected fruits using iodometric and Uv-spectrophotometer methods necessitated the research work and compare the results with the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA} Results: The results of the analysis using iodometric method indicated that the citrus limon had (34.53±0.08c mg/100g), vitis vinifera (15.35±0.01bmg/100g), malus pumila (11.51± 0.07a mg/100g), citrullus lanatus (11.51+0.01a mg/100g) and ananas comosus 11.51±0.05a mg/100g). The Uv spectrophotometer method indicated the values as malus pumila (19.19±0.48c mg/ml), citrus limon (18.09 ±0.29c mg/ml), ananas comosus (9.57+0.53b mg/ml), vitis vinifera (9.17±0.21b mg/ml), and citrullus lanatus (4.20 ± 0.07c mg/ml). The values obtained are in the range of Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) which is essential for the optimum functions of body growth and development. Conclusion: The iodometric and the Uv spectroscopy methods used for the analysis has shown the various contents of ascorbic acids in the five fruits. The results had shown that the fruits were rich in ascorbic acid and can adequately cater for any deficiency that may arise from lack of vitamin C.