This retention of ascorbic acid might be due to the lowering of respiration of fruits or oxidation of ascorbic acid content from the fruits. Lower level of ascorbic acid in control might be due to increased respiration causing loss of ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid is susceptible to oxidative deterioration as well as mild oxidation of ascorbic acid results in the formation of dehydroascorbic acid (Willis et al., 1981).