Vitamin C value of fruit mixture containing fresh orange juice.

A 70--80% decrease in the vitamin C (ascorbic acid) level was found in a mixture of fresh orange juice, apple, and banana prepared under aerobic conditions as compared with the level present in identical quantities of each individual ingredient. Since it was determined that this decrease was caused mainly by the presence of the banana, we suggest that the latter not be added to fresh orange juice which serves as an important source of vitamin C for infants.