Rosa Acicularis Research Articles

ON SOURCES OF VITAMIN C: I. ROSE HIPS

On the evidence of titration with 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol, the newly ripe hips of Rosa acicularis contain 1800 to 3500 mg. % ascorbic acid in the wet flesh or about 4.5 to 7.6% ascorbic acid on a dry basis. The corresponding values for R. woodsii and R. arkansana are 1300 to 2000 mg. % or 4.0 to 6.0%. The hips of R. acicularis are the richest of the wild roses. The hips from cultivated roses have usually less ascorbic acid than the wild varieties with the exception of R. laxa, the richest examined, with 3000 to 4000 mg. % in the wet flesh or 8.0 to 10.3% on a dry basis.The ascorbic acid in rose hip extracts is remarkably stable to heat and oxidation, and methods are indicated for the preparation of products suitable for winter food supplements.The leaves and bark of wild rose bushes commonly contain 300 to 500 mg. % ascorbic acid in the fresh matter, and the petals 20 to 70 mg. %.