Nutritional value of mandarin oranges (Citrus reticulata Blanco, Citrus nobilis Lour)

Mandarina ili mandarinka (lat. Citrus reticulata Blanco, Citrus nobilis Lour) je trajnozelena biljka koja naraste oko 2 do 3 m visine. Pripada porodici Rutvica (Reticulata), a rodu Citrusa. Biljka potječe iz Kine, a njen naziv od vladara mandarina, koji su to voće darivali u znak poštovanja. U mediteranskom dijelu Europe mandarina se počela uzgajati polovicom 19. stoljeća, a na našem obalnom području početkom 20. stoljeća. Najbolje uspijeva u suptropskim krajevima jer je posebno osjetljiva na niske temperature. U Hrvatskoj se uzgaja u dolini rijeke Neretve. Osim mikroklime i položaja koji omogućuju njen rast, izvanredna rodnost pripisuje se aluvijalnom području na kojem su podignuti nasadi vrlo kvalitetnih japanski Unshiu sorti mandarina. Mandarina pripada grupi zimskog (sezonskog) voća. Kao takva, vrlo je cijenjena zbog svojih hranjivih sastojaka i antioksidacijskih svojstava. Udio vitamina C u 100 grama sviježeg mesnatog dijela mandarine iznosi 26,7 mg. Tolika količina može zadovoljiti 80% potrebnog dnevnog unosa vitamina C. Vitamin C ili askorbinska kiselina djeluje kao donator vodika te kao reducens sudjeluje u brojnim biološkim procesima. Kao antioksidans spriječava prijelaz stabilnih slobodnih radikala u nestabilne, a oni su uzrok oštećenja bjelančevina i DNK. Između ostalog, jača imunitet, sudjeluje u sintezi kolagena, karnitina i važan je za sintezu masnih kiselina.Mandarins or tangerines (Latin Citrus reticulata Blanco, Citrus nobilis Lour) are evergreen trees that can grow to a mature height of about 2 to 3 m. They belong to the rue family (Reticulata) within the genus Citrus. The plant originates from China and was named after the term for bureaucrats of Imperial China called mandarins who often gifted this fruit as a sign of respect. In the Mediterranean part of Europe mandarins were first cultivated in the mid 19th century, and in Croatian coastal areas in the early 20th century. They thrive in subtropical regions because they are particularly sensitive to low temperatures. In Croatia, they are predominantly grown in the Neretva valley. In addition to microclimate and environment that enables their growth, their excellent fertility is attributed to the alluvial area where orchards of high-quality Japanese Unshiu varieties of mandarins are raised. Mandarin is considered a winter (seasonal) fruit. As such, it is highly valued for its nutritional and antioxidant properties. The share of vitamin C in 100 grams of fresh fleshy part of mandarin amounts to 26.7 mg. Such high quantity meets 80% of the required daily intake recommended for vitamin C. Vitamin C, i.e. ascorbic acid, acts as a hydrogen donor involved in numerous biological processes as a reducing agent. Its antioxidant properties prevent the transition of stable free radicals into unstable radicals that cause damage to proteins and DNA. Among other things, it strengthens the immune system and is required for the synthesis of collagen, carnitine and fatty acids