Carotene and Ascorbic Acid in Foods


exhibited more than 30 percent variation-either higher or lower
than the controls. There was a tremendous increase in pigmen-
tation of the Sudan grass fed ammonia-nitrate-nitrogen as com-
pared with that fed only nitrate-nitrogen. It is of interest to
note with Bahia grass, a poor producer of carotene, that in 8
out of 10 possible comparisons the ammonia-fed plants contained
a larger percent of carotene and also that in the Sudan-sorghum
experiment the highest carotene values were obtained with plants
fertilized at the 100 and 75 percent ammonia-nitrogen levels.
 The Bahia analyses showed the effect of maturity on levels of
ascorbic acid and carotene. The more succulent vegetative plants
were higher in these factors.

 Discussion
 Agreement between analyses given in this bulletin and in
representative tables is good, in the sense that individual values
fit into logical and broad classifications of value, except perhaps
with certain of the carotene values.
 Carotene values found for the strongly pigmented deep green
leaves and tomatoes tend to be somewhat lower than many pub-
lished values. One suspects that some of. the higher values may
have included other pigments, as well as in certain cases other
carotenoids like lycopene, as suggested by the data in Tables 1
and 5.
 Only a few fruits and vegetables have high levels of both
carotene and ascorbic acid. In the list of fruits highest in these
values are found several of the semi-tropical fruits. Among veg-
etables the high nutritive rating of the greens is outstanding.
Such values as are found in the wild greens predicate their culti-
vation and wider usefulness, particularly in salads, where they
might add not only an exotic touch but also a nutritive benefit.
 From data presented in this bulletin one might conclude that
if the dietary is to be enriched in carotene and ascorbic acid
intake of foods rich in these factors should be encouraged and
as a corollary that breeding of plants to increase the level of
carotene and ascorbic acid should be undertaken.

 Summary
 Suggestions are made in regard to methods of analysis for
ascorbic acid and carotene. When 2-6 dichlorobenzenoneindo-
phenol is used, absorption of, and unspecificity of, the indicator