AbstractsBiology & Animal Science

In experiments conducted to determine the agreement between the Burrell and Ebright chemical method and the “increase in weight” biological method of estimating the vitamin C content of dehydrated potato and fresh lemon juice, using crystalline ascorbic acid as a control, it was found that there was agreement only in the determination of the antiscorbutic principle in the lemon juice. The lack of agreement with potato may indicate an inaccurate chemical method or a secondary, growth promoting, factor present in potato. From the levels tested it was suggested that .375 mg. of crystalline ascorbic acid or its equivalent is a minimum maintenance level, while .5 mg. is a minimum protective level from scurvy. The nutritional adequacy of the basal diet, for normal growth, is questioned, and its relation to bioassay for vitamin C is discussed.