Nitrate, Nitrite and Vitamin C Contents in Vegetables from Markets in Fuzhou

Nitrate, Nitrite and Vc contents of 28 vegetables of different categories, varieties, and/or batches collected from the local vegetable markets in Fuzhou were determined. The analytical results showed that the nitrite contents of all samples and the nitrate contents of 17 vegetables were conform to the quality requirements of pollution-free vegetables. Four vegetables were classified as high-Vc varieties containing more than Vc 56 mg·hg^-1, while 6 were Vc-rich varieties with greater than Vc 20 mg·hg^-1. Comprehensive evaluation of 28 vegetables were conform to the food pollutants limited requirements in national food safety standards. Among all, the cabbage, cauliflower and green peppers, which showed the lowest nitrate contents and the highest Vc of all tested samples, were deemed to be safe and of high quality varieties for the consumers.