ON THE CONTENTS OF VITAMIN C AND THIAMIN DURING THE VEGETATION PERIOD IN LEAVES OF THREE SPICE PLANTS (ALLIUM SCHOENOPRASUM L., MELISSA OFFICINALIS L. AND PETROSELINUM CRISPUM (MILL.) NYM. SSP. CRISPUM)

The contents of vitamin C (ascorbic acid + dehydroascorbic acid) and thiamin in leaves of the three spice plants have been determined about weekly during the vegetation period from March to November.
They vary depending upon the season.
In Allium highest contents of vitamin C related to fresh weight are found in March-April and a bit lower in September-October.
In Petroselinum high values appear in June-July, while highest contents are to be observed in October.
In Melissa, however, no special peak is to be seen.
The mean values of vitamin C run up in Allium to 140 (100–223) mg%, in Petroselinum to 330 (260 – 448) mg% and in Melissa to 254 (200–300) mg%. With regard to thiamin highest contents have been found for Allium in April, for Petroselinum in May-June and for Melissa in October.
The mean values of thiamin amount in Allium to 71,5 (35 – 150) mcg%, in Petroselinum to 115,5 (76–160) mcg% and in Melissa to 76,4 (48–112) mcg%. The results are discussed and the possiblity is mentioned that because of the high contents of vitamin C leaves of Allium and Petroselinum can contribute to the provisioning of human beings with this vitamin as spices.

I International Symposium on Spices and Medicinal plants

W. Franke

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.1978.73.25