Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)

What is Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)?

Molecular Formula (Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)); C₆H₈O₆

Molecular Weight; 176.174 g/mol

Chemical Name; Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)

CAS Number; 50-81-7

It is a 6-carbon compound naturally found in citrus products. It is a necessary nutrient in our diets, required to protect bone and connective tissues. Its biologically active form, Vitamin C, acts as a reducing agent and coenzyme in several metabolic pathways. For this reason, Vitamin C is considered an antioxidant. It reacts strongly with oxidants. Its solution in water is a moderately strong acid.

Ascorbic Acid's E Code is E 300.

Other Names Include;

• Antiscorbutic Vitamin
• L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
• L-threo-hex-2-enonic acid gamma-lactone
• 3-keto-L-gulofuranolactone
• L-3-ketothreohexuronic acid lactone
• 3-oxo-L-gulofuranolactone
• Vitamin C
• L-Xyloascorbic acid
• Vitamin C
• E 300
• Lemon Salt

What are its Physical Properties?

It has little to no odor. Physically, it is a light yellow crystalline solid. Vitamin C has a crystalline structure. It has a sharp, acidic taste.

What are its Chemical Properties?

The solubility of ascorbic acid in water is 400 g/L.

Its melting point is 374 °F - 378 °F.

Boiling Point: Decomposes, no boiling point.

Boiling Point: Information not available.

It is insoluble in ether, chloroform, benzene ether, oils, and some solvents.

The density of Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) is 1.65 g/cm³.

It is a flammable chemical.

How is Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) Produced?

To produce Vitamin C, the Reichstein-Grüssner process was the most commonly used method in industry. In this reaction, D-Sorbitol is converted to L-Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) via the key intermediate 2-Keto-L-Gulonic acid, using some oxidants and several chemical steps.

What are its Effects on Human Health?

Exposure to Ascorbic Acid can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract. If taken orally in large amounts, it can cause gastrointestinal problems and diarrhea. High intake levels may lead to the formation of renal calcium oxalate stones. High doses of Vitamin C can cause diarrhea.

If taken by injection, it can cause episodes of dizziness and fainting. Ascorbic Acid can cause headaches.

It increases the tendency to urinate. Vitamin C has been found to cause abdominal cramps.

Kidney side effects include the formation of oxalate and urate kidney stones. In case of inhalation, get fresh air and rest.

If Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) comes into contact with the skin, redness occurs, and the area should be washed with plenty of water.

If it comes into contact with the eyes, it causes redness and pain. As a result, the eyes should be washed with plenty of water.

How should it be Stored?

It should be stored in air-free containers. It should be stored in light-resistant and tightly closed non-metallic containers.

It gradually darkens on exposure to light. A slight discoloration of Ascorbic Acid does not reduce its therapeutic effect.

Vitamin C tends to decompose more quickly in a humid atmosphere.

It should be stored separately from strong oxidants and strong bases. Otherwise, it will degrade.

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) Content in Commercial Fruit Juices and Loss Rate After Storage

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) is used in commercial fruit juices to provide vitamin support. Its amount in commercial fruit juices and the loss rate after storage have been determined.

The amount of Vitamin C in commercial fruit juices varies from 2.4 - 43 mg/100 mL. After storing commercial fruit juices in sealed containers at room temperature for about 4 months, the Ascorbic Acid losses range between 29%-41%. When stored in open containers in the refrigerator for 31 days, a 60%-67% loss in Vitamin C content was observed. At the same time, fresh orange juice experienced a 7%-13% loss of Ascorbic Acid under the same environmental conditions. This revealed that the Vitamin C content in commercial fruit juice is lost at a much higher rate than in fresh orange juice under the same conditions.

In another experiment, when an open commercial fruit juice was stored outside the refrigerator for 10 days, it lost 12.5% of its Vitamin C content. It was determined that when stored under refrigeration for the same period, the existing ascorbic acid amount suffered a 9% loss. From this, we can conclude that as the temperature increases, the amount of Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) in the solution decreases.

Where is Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) Used?

• It is generally used in the medical and food industries. Its purpose here is to provide a source of Vitamin C.
• It is used as a preservative in foods for its antioxidant action. The chemical that helps prevent changes in the color, texture, and flavor of foods is ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). Ascorbic Acid should be used to prevent the red color of dried meats from changing.
• Ascorbic Acid is the chemical that prevents the formation of reactions in cured meats that lead to nitrosamines, which can increase cancer risk.
• It inhibits the growth of bacteria, thereby reducing foodborne illnesses and food spoilage.
• It is a natural food preservative.
• It is used as an antioxidant in cosmetic products for skin lightening.
• It is used in the production of food supplements to increase iron absorption and support collagen production.
• Ascorbic Acid is used to delay the oxidative odor that can be found in or arise from fats.
• It is used as a curing agent in meat processing systems to inhibit the formation of nitrosamines. In this application, the color quality of meat products treated with a weak aqueous solution containing Ascorbic Acid and Isocitric Acid shows significant improvement.
• It is used in baking processes to improve the quality of wheat flour and dough.
• With the continuous development of construction technology, super retarders that extend the setting time of concrete up to 60-80 hours are important. Ascorbic Acid is used as a Chain Transfer agent in the additives developed to produce super-retarded concrete.
• An antioxidant effect is necessary to improve renal proximal tubular cellular functions. For this, dressings and bandages impregnated with Ascorbic Acid are used after injuries. Carrier substances such as Glycerin (Glycerol) and Mono Propylene Glycol are used to increase the stability of Vitamin C.
• It is used to protect against browning caused by enzymatic reactions in processed fruits and vegetables. In other words, ascorbic acid is used to prevent pigment changes in foods.
• It is used as a preservative in fruit juices and pulps to prevent color fading.
• In the cosmetics industry, it is used to stabilize colors in the manufacturing of hair dyes. This way, it reacts with other components to ensure the dye lasts longer.
• It is used to prevent enzymatic esterification and color change during the freeze-drying of foods.
• It is used in the production of bread and phyllo dough to make the dough more elastic.
• It is among the components used in the production of creams, serums, or lotions to neutralize free radicals in the skin and prevent skin aging.
• To make mild steel resistant to corrosion, it prevents corrosion by chelating Fe+2 ions on the steel surface.
• In the alcohol industry, it is used to maintain the clarity of wine and beer.
• It is used as a chain transfer agent in the manufacturing of concrete additives produced to delay the setting of concrete.
• It is used in oral care products manufactured to prevent the formation of periodontal diseases. In this application, it is used together with Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) and Vitamin E (Alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate).
• It is an important nutrient needed by the human body for the formation of collagen in cartilage, muscle, bone, and blood vessels. In its deficiency, Collagen formation is interrupted. It is included in food supplements that support collagen production.

What Factors Affect its Price?

The price of Ascorbic Acid generally increases with rising consumption. The biggest factor affecting its price is the emergence and discovery of a new application area. In parallel, the price of this chemical also increases because the produced Vitamin C will not meet the new demand.

With the establishment of a new production facility, the price of Ascorbic Acid decreases in inverse proportion. However, in the short term, its price reaches a stable level.

One of the most important factors is the increase in raw material and production costs. If these costs increase, the price of Ascorbic Acid will also increase.