The ripe fruit of Malpighia punicifolia L., Malpighiaceae, also called West Indian Cherry. Habit. Central America, Puerto Rico. Probably the richest natural source of ascorbic acid. Analysis of pitted fruit: Water 92.28%; ascorbic acid 1690 mg/100 g; vitamin A 11.0 mg/100 g; niacin 407 γ/100 g; vitamin B6 8.7 γ/100 g; thiamine-HCl 30.0 γ/100 g; fluorine 10 γ/100 g; carbohydrates 6.4%. pH of juice 3.3. The pits comprise 19.25% of the fruit. Ref: Derse, Elvehjem, J. Am. Med. Assoc. 156, 1501 (1954). Commercial aspects: J. Agric. Food Chem. 2, 1155 (1954). Review: Moscoso, Econ. Bot. 10, 280 (1956). Method of preparing acerola juice concentrates: Morse, US 3012942; US 3012943 (both 1961 to Nutrilite Products).
Nutrient.