Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the nutrient composition of hydroponic water dropwort and the effect of blanching condition on ascorbic acid content. Nutrient composition of hydroponic water dropwort of mid harvest on the 30th day was measured in three portions of leaves, petioles and stems, and was compared with that of late harvest on the 40th day. Hydroponic water dropwort was obtained from the Department of Horticultural Science, Seoul National University. The results were as follows. The nutrients content of leaves were significantly higher in ash and ascorbic acid and lower in moisture, crude fat and crude fiber than those of stems and petioles. There was no significant difference in total vitamin A and thiamin contents between three portions. Ascorbic acid content of leaves harvested on the 30th day was the highest, 57mg/100g, and decreased to 18mg/100g in the leaves harvested on the 40th day. Marked increase in crude fiber and vitamin A content of leaves was observed in late harvest may be due to the maturation. The results of nutrient composition analysis suggest that the leaves of hydroponic water dropwort is important in ascorbic acid and ash. It is recommended that shorter blanching time and addition of 0.5% NaCl to the blanching water are better for higher ascorbic acid retention of hydroponic water dropwort. In conclusion, as hydroponic water dropwort has high content in ash, calcium, vitamin and free sugar with alkalinity, leaves as well as stems and petioles can be recommonded as a vegetable of high nutritional quality.