Ascorbic Acid Retention in Orange Juice Stored under Simulated Consumer Home Conditions

Ascorbic acid levels in 13 types of commercially packaged orange juices and a juice drink were monitored over 5–7 days at 4.5°C as stored in the original container. Comparable samples stored in an open plastic container were monitored for comparison. In both cases the average ascorbic acid loss was about 1.5–2% per day. These simulated consumer home conditions showed that juice retained an average of 88% of the original ascorbic acid after 1 wk, and 67% after 2 wk in opened containers stored at typical home refrigerator temperatures.