ACCUMULATION OF NITRATE AND VITAMIN C CONTENT IN CURLY LETTUCE PRODUCED IN CONVENTIONAL AND HYDROPONIC SYSTEMS, SOLD IN THE PUBLIC MARKETS OF SÃO LUÍS-MA

Abstract

Food quality is essential for food and nutritional security, covering its production, availability, and promotion of consumer health. Thus, the main objective of the research was to determine the accumulation of nitrate content in curly lettuce produced in hydroponic and conventional cultivation and sold in public markets in São Luís – Maranhão. 60 lettuce samples were collected in August 2024 in the Public Markets of six neighborhoods in São Luís: Cohab, Vicente Fialho, São Francisco, Liberdade, João Paulo, and Santo Antônio. Five samples of hydroponic lettuce and five of conventional lettuce were obtained in each neighborhood. The samples were packed in identified plastic bags and sent to the Beverage Laboratory of the Federal Institute of Maranhão for analysis of the characteristics: number of leaves, total fresh mass, soluble solids, ascorbic acid, and nitrate. The results indicate that the lettuce produced in the hydroponic and conventional systems in São Luís-MA is of good quality for consumption, without risk to health. The hydroponic system resulted in higher production of total fresh mass and number of leaves, while lettuces from conventional cultivation showed lower nitrate concentration. However, the vitamin C content was higher in the lettuce of the hydroponic system.