Magazine Article

Growth Conditions To Reduce Oxalic Acid Content of Spinach

TBMG-498

03/01/2003

Abstract
Content

A controlled environment agricultural (CEA) technique to increase the nutritive value of spinach has been developed. This technique makes it possible to reduce the concentration of oxalic acid in spinach leaves. It is desirable to reduce the oxalic acid content because oxalic acid acts as an anti-nutritive calcium-binding component. More than 30 years ago, an enzyme (an oxidase) that breaks down oxalic acid into CO2 and H2O2 was discovered and found to be naturally present in spinach leaves. However, nitrate, which can also be present because of the use of common nitrate-based fertilizers, inactivates the enzyme. In the CEA technique, one cuts off the supply of nitrate and keeps the spinach plants cool while providing sufficient oxygen. This technique provides the precise environment that enables the enzyme to naturally break down oxalate. The result of application of this technique is that the oxalate content is reduced by 2/3 in one week.

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Citation
"Growth Conditions To Reduce Oxalic Acid Content of Spinach," Mobility Engineering, March 1, 2003.
Additional Details
Publisher
Published
Mar 1, 2003
Product Code
TBMG-498
Content Type
Magazine Article
Language
English