Ascorbic acid and microbiological analyses of extra - Cotyledonous deposits of pride of barbados (<i>Caesalpina pulcherrima</i>) stored at various temperatures

Abstract

Ascorbic acid and microbiological analyses of extra - cotyledonous deposits of Pride of Barbados (Caesalpina pulcherrima) stored at various temperatures were investigated. 2,6 - Dichlorophenolindophenol (dye) solution titration method was used in ascorbic acid determination while Nutrient and Sabouraud agar were used in microbiological analyses. Result obtained showed mean ascorbic acid content of 0. I 5mg/g (P>0.05) for extra - col) ledonous samples from pods of Pride of Barbados (PB) stored al - 21 °c for 7 days and lower mean values (ascorbic acid content) for exposed samples stored at other examined storage temperawre conditions; 4°C and 25 28°C. Corynebacterium xerosis, Cladosporium spp. and Penicillium notatum were isolated from exposed extra - cotyledonous samples on the 6'h and 7'11 days of storage under room temperature (25 - 28°C). However, no growth was observed on samples from the pods of PB stored at - 21 °C, 4°C and at room temperatures (25 - 28°C) after 7 days of storage. Extra - cotyledonous deposits of Pride of Barbados, whenever collected, Should be consumed immediately or stored appropriately in pods for as long as 7 days at - 21°C for the preservation of the ascorbic acid (vitamin C) content and to avert the health hazard of contamination by pathogenic bacteria and fungi.

KEY WORDS: Ascorbic acid. microbiological anal) ses. extra - coryledonous deposit.