Some plant sources of vitamins B and C

Abstract

Several plant foods were tested for their content of vitamins B and C. Togi (sprouted mongo), okra, and avocado were found to be comparatively high in vitamin B. One half gram of each of them as daily supplement to the standard vitamin B free diet caused the recovery in weight of rats which had been declining because of lack of this accessory food factor. Mongo, sweet potato leaves and duhat (Eugenia jambolana) contain enough vitamin so that one gram of each of them as daily supplement caused the recovery in weight of rats which had been declining due to lack of vitamin B. Artichokes, bilimbi (Averrhoa carambola), banana flower bud and bamboo shoots are relatively poor in vitamin B.

The vitamin B in mongo was increased in germination, a fact contrary to the finding of Grijns that the antiberi-beri vitamin is lessened in amount as germination takes place.

Mongo is relatively poor in vitamin C. Togi when fresh is relatively rich in vitamin C; but after it is prepared for culinary use, the vitamin C is destroyed.

The observation of several investigators that vitamin C is increased when peas, lentils, and beans are germinated has been verified in the case of mongo. Ten grams of mongo as daily supplement to the scorbutic diet failed to protect guinea pigs from scurvy, while five grams of fresh togi as supplement to the same scorbutic diet cured three guinea pigs of the disease.