ARS | Publication request: VITAMIN C AND MINERAL CONTENT OF LONGAN, LYCHEE, AND RAMBUTAN CULTIVARS

Submitted to: Proceedings of the International Tropical Fruit Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: November 7, 2006
Publication Date: January 27, 2006
Citation: Wall, M.M. 2006. Vitamin C and mineral content of longan, lychee, and rambutan cultivars. Proceedings 15th Annual International Tropical Fruit Conference. PP 30-35.

Technical Abstract: Longan, lychee and rambutan fruits were harvested from different locations in Hawaii and analyzed for vitamin C and mineral composition. Longan fruit had the highest vitamin C content (60.1 mg/100 g) among the three specialty fruit tested. Average vitamin C content was 27.6 mg/100 g for lychees and and 36.4 mg/100 g for rambutans. The daily vitamin C requirement for the average adult (75 to 90 mg) can be met by consuming about 12 to 14 longans, 10 to 12 rambutans, or 14 to 17 lychees. Longans are a good source of potassium (324.9 mg/100 g) and copper (0.26 mg/100 g), providing 7% of the dietary reference intake (DRI) for K and 29% of the DRI for Cu. Consumption of lychee fruit (100 g) would meet 2-4% of the DRI for six minerals (P, K, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn), and 22% of the DRI for Cu. Rambutan fruit had 20% of the DRI for Cu and 8-10% of the DRI for manganese (Mn). In general, fruit mineral content was not associated with soil mineral content.