Nitrate and nitrite nitrogen in fresh, stored and processed table beets and spinach from different levels of field nitrogen fertilisation

Abstract Nitrogen fertilisation increased the content of nitrate‐N in fresh table beets and spinach but had little or no effect on accumulation of nitrite‐N. Interconversion of nitrate to nitrite did not occur when fresh beets and spinach were stored at 35°F. Large quantities of nitrate‐N were lost by leaching during the processing of canned beets, spinach and puréed spinach baby food. These processing procedures and storage of the processed products for six months did not give rise to increased amounts of nitrite‐N Nitrate‐ and nitrite‐N contents of some commercial products are also reported.