Vitamin C Content of Oranges

Abstract

IN the issue of the New England Journal of Medicine of January 7, Dr. Arthur D. Holmes, James A. Patch and Francis Tripp of the Research Laboratories of E. L. Patch Co., Stoiaeham, Mass., record their observations on the relation of season, weight and price to the vitamin C content of oranges. They found that there was considerable seasonal influence on nutritive value, the oranges being heavier and containing more juice at a lower vitamin C cost in December than at any other seasons of the year. The cost of 75 mgm. was 4.8 cents in March, 5.9 cents in June and September and 3.6 cents in December. The average purchaser, therefore, cannot use the size or cost of oranges as a reliable guide to the amount of juice or to the cost of the daily requirements of vitamin C.