Prunes are a good source of the nutrients vitamin C and iron. Vitamin C is a com

Question

Prunes are a good source of the nutrients vitamin C and iron. Vitamin C is a compound with the formula CgH,O 6. The formula of iron is simply Fe. If you had a jar of prunes sitting around for a long time various reactions can take place that affect the nutritional value of the prunes. When this happens: (Hint: Think about the difference between elements and compounds-see p. 56.) Can the amount of vitamin C in the prunes be affected (explain) Can the amount of iron in the prunes be affected? (Explain.)

Explanation / Answer

First of all we need to understand about Prunes, its nutritional content and its reactions. Prunes are dried fruits. They are obtained by drying plum like fruits.Definetly they are good source of nutrients,vitamin-c and iron.Usually prunes are putting in jar and stored for a long time.And when its needed its opened and used. Now lets answer to the questions.

FIRST PART

1% of total value of prunes is Vitamin-C.This vitamin is also known as Absorbic acid [C6H8O6].This is very much required for the functioning of immune sysytem.Also Vitamin-C is an anti-oxidant(reducing agent).Since Vitamin-C is water soluble,when prunes are in a jar for prolonged time;this will results in reducing of Vitamin-C .Vitamin C can easily destroyed through heat.Heating is very much affected the vitamin-c.Its content decreases when temperature was kept constant .As well as Vitamin-c is sensitive to light like heat;it is destroyed over time.Therefore prolonged storage of prune results in decreasing the amount of vitamin-C.

SECOND PART

4% of total value of prunes is Iron.Prune juice are used for avoiding the deficiency of iron.From the first part of the question we understand Vitamin C is decreasing.Because of the reducing Vitamin-C amount of iron[Fe] also decreasing.This is because vitamin-C have a great role in enhancing the absorbption of iron in fruits.Vitamin-c which is also called absorbic acid is a water soluble vitamin,thought to increase the absorbtion of iron in prunes.Therefore prolonged storage of prunes in jar will results in decreasing the amount of Vitamin-C and Iron [Fe].

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