Lemon
Lemons are a popular food flavouring agent because of their sour or spice taste. Another reason for their popularity is high vitamin C concentration. But those are some well-known facts. Below is an overview of some of the overlooked aspects of lemon:
Hydroponics of Lemon
The hydroponic system, temperature requirement, and fertilizer needed for lemon's hydroponic cultivation are:
Hydroponic System
The deepwater culture system offers ease-of-use and high ROI when it comes to hydroponic cultivation of lemon.
Temperature Requirement
The preferred temperature range of lemon trees is between 70 °F to 86 °F.
Fertilizer
Application of 2.6:6.8:17.4 NPK fertilizer increases the yield of lemon. (Marsanija, 1970)
Nutritional Profile of Lemon
A fresh, peeled lime contains the following nutrients:
Carbohydrates and Proteins
Lemon contains little carbohydrates and proteins, approximately 9g and 1g of each, respectively. (FoodData Central, 2019)
Minerals
In the order of relative abundance, the three main minerals found in lemon are potassium, calcium, and phosphorous.
Vitamins
As a member of the citrus family, lemon is also rich in ascorbic acid.
Health Benefits of Lemon
Improved Digestion
The lemon extract contains special compounds called flavonoids, which are known to stimulate the digestive system. Limonin glucoside, for example, is a flavonoid that stimulates gastric secretions and peristaltic movement, thereby facilitating digestion and waste removal. (Jana, Sureshrao, & Sahu, 2021)
Chemistry of Lemon
The chemistry of lemon can be summarized in one word, acid. It contains lots of acids that are primarily responsible for its sour taste. The major acid contributor to its chemical profile is citric acid. However, some other acids are also found, notably malic acid and ascorbic acid. (AL-Jabri & Hossain, 2018)
The popularity of lemons can be attributed to factors like spicing up whole dull foods and therapeutical effects.
References
- AL-Jabri, N. N., & Hossain, M. (2018, January). Chemical composition and antimicrobial potency of locally grown lemon essential oil against selected bacterial strains. Journal of King Saud University - Science, 14–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jksus.2016.08.008
- FoodData Central. (2019, April 1). U.S. Department of Agriculture. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/167746/nutrients
- Jana, P., Sureshrao, P. A., & Sahu, R. S. (2021). Medicinal and Health Benefits of Lemon. Journal of Science and Technology, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.46243/jst.2020.v6.i1.pp16-20
- Marsanija, I. (1970). The effect of the prolonged use of mineral fertilizers and FYM on the growth and yield of lemon trees. CAB Direct. https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/19710302249
Frequently asked questions
Which hydroponic system is best for lemon?
The deepwater culture system offers ease-of-use and high ROI when it comes to hydroponic cultivation of lemon.
What temperature do lemon trees need?
The preferred temperature range of lemon trees is between 70 °F to 86 °F.
What are the health benefits of lemon?
Lemon extract contains flavonoids such as limonin glucoside that stimulate gastric secretions and peristaltic movement, facilitating digestion and waste removal.
