Effect of Cold Stress on the Content of Minerals and Water Soluble Vitamins in Spinach (Spinacia oleracea)

Abstract

To assess the effect of cold stress on the levels of minerals (C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, Zn, Cu and Fe) and watersoluble vitamins (B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9 and C) in spinach, an experiment was set up under greenhouseconditions and compared to field results. Levels of macro and micronutrients, except iron in spinach wereunaffected by growth conditions and cold stress. The abundance of water soluble vitamins were mostpronounced in greenhouse grown plants exposed to 14 and 21 days of cold stress. Significant increases invitamin C (from 22.73 to 34.47 mg 100 g-1 dry matter) accumulation in stressed plants were observed, thushighlighting its role in plant defense mechanisms. Results indicate that cultivation of leafy vegetables in agreenhouse with low temperature (4 to 7°C) exposure for a shorter period (14 to 21 days) before harvest canimprove the nutritional quality.