[Ascorbate index -- an indicator of the level of ascorbic acid and nitrates in plant products]

A simple method to determine potential danger of nitrates by ascorbic acid containing in plant products is designed. The ascorbatic index (content of ascorbic acid/content of nitrates) is calculated for some products. The higher is the value of the index, the more potent is the action of the ascorbic acid and the less harmful is the effect of nitrates in the plant to human body.