Ascorbic Acid – Definition, Struture, Uses

Ascorbic Acid

The chemical formula for ascorbic acid, usually referred to as vitamin C is C₆H₈O₆. It is a water-soluble vitamin found in nature. Ascorbic acid is a powerful reductive and antioxidant substance that works to combat pathogenic bacteria. Vitamin C serves to detoxify and promotes the growth of collagen in the epidermis, vasculature, bones, and tissues. The majority of ascorbic acid is present in citrus fruits and vegetables. Humans cannot make or store it. Thus, it must be consumed through diet. It is necessary to know what ascorbic acid is and how it functions.

What is Ascorbic Acid?

Ascorbic acid, often known as vitamin C or ascorbate, is a dietary supplement and component of many foods. Scurvy can be prevented and treated with it. Ascorbic acid is a crucial vitamin essential in the enzymatic synthesis of neurotransmitters and tissue healing. The body’s different enzymes and the immune system must operate. It serves as an antioxidant as well.

 Structure of Ascorbic Acid

Let us look at the physical and chemical properties of ascorbic acid.

• The formula for ascorbic acid is C₆H₈O₆ . The common name for ascorbic acid is Vitamin C or ascorbate.
• Water readily dissolves it, resulting in moderately acidic solutions.
• It is a gentle reducing agent.
• There are two mirror-image isomers, also called enantiomers, of ascorbic acid, generally referred to as “L” (for “levo”) and “D” (for “dextro”). The most prevalent isomer is the ‘L’ one, a naturally occurring form of vitamin C (also known as a “vitamer”). Both humans and several other species must survive.
• The melting point of ascorbic acid is 190 °C, and the boiling point is 553 °C.
• L-ascorbic acid is indissoluble in benzene, chloroform, and ether. However, it is easily soluble in water. It creates a transparent, clear to slightly yellow liquid.
• A 5 per cent (w/v) solution in water has a pH of 2.2 to 2.5.

Chemical Properties of Ascorbic Acid

• The ascorbate anion creates salts, including sodium, potassium, and calcium ascorbate.
• Ascorbic acid may also create esters like ascorbyl palmitate and stearate when it reacts with organic acids such as ethanol.
• A 1,3-diketone is produced when ascorbic acid attacks a proton nucleophilically.
• It undergoes oxidation, first forming a radical cation with the reduction of one electron, then forming dehydro-ascorbic acid with the removal of the subsequent electron.
• When exposed to light, the material turns from a pale color to a dark one. Ascorbic acid is stable in its dry condition even when exposed to air.
• However, when added to a solution, it quickly oxidizes and turns into an acid.
• It produces volatile molecules when combined at 90 °C with glucose and amino acids.
• It is a coenzyme in the oxidation of tyrosine.

Uses of Ascorbic Acid

One of the key nutrients needed by the human body for normal operation is ascorbic acid (vitamin C). As a result, using ascorbic acid tablets in medicine is widespread. Patients with vitamin C deficiency are often treated with chewable ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) pills. The primary reason the body needs it is because it uses it to generate compounds like collagen, dopamine, and adrenaline that support healthy bodily function. Some of the multiple uses of ascorbic acid are mentioned below:

1. Health Uses

The body needs ascorbic acid, often known as vitamin C, which is an important nutrient. Deficits in the immune system are treated with vitamin C. Additionally, it can be utilized to prevent cardiovascular disorders. We are also shielded from several eye illnesses by ascorbic acid. The ascorbic acid pill is widely utilized in medicine due to its role as an antioxidant in treating radiation-induced damage to the body. There are many different dosages of ascorbic acid pills on the market. However, the market has a strong demand for ascorbic acid tablets since they are used to cure scurvy, a disease brought on by a lack of vitamin C in the body.

2. Uses in the Skincare and Cosmetic Industry

Most hair care and cosmetic products must include ascorbic acid, an antioxidant. It is utilized in hair care products because it aids in the body’s production of collagen, a crucial element in creating thick, healthy hair. Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is also necessary for creating skincare products. It is included in creams and moisturizers to minimize fine lines and stop skin aging. Our skin looks young and healthy when we use skincare products with ascorbic acid as an ingredient.

3. Uses in Food and Beverages

Many fresh vegetables and fruits organically contain ascorbic acid, or vitamin C. Numerous fruit juices, cereals, sweets, and other food products contain it to preserve the vitamin C content and provide a citrus flavor. Many foods, including bread, jellies, cured meats, and others, employ ascorbic acid as a preservative.

4. Uses in the Agricultural Industry

In farming, ascorbic acid is widely used as a plant’s nutritional supplement. It aids in ensuring that plants develop properly and supports animal growth and development. Further, it is also a key component in most animal food to support animal growth and development.

Other Well-Known Uses of Ascorbic Acid

Numerous applications exist for ascorbic acid. Let’s examine each of them separately.

• It is frequently utilized to treat the condition of scurvy.
• It creates collagen fibers in the bones, teeth, connective tissues, and fibrous tissues.
• It assists in preventing bacterial infections.
• It serves to stop the transmission of HIV from pregnant women to their unborn children.
• Additionally, it is utilized to treat gum disease, acne, and pimples.
• It serves as a safeguard against gallbladder illness.
• It is also employed in treating stomach ulcers brought on by Helicobacter pylori.

Side Effects of Ascorbic Acid

For most people, vitamin C is probably safe when taken orally. Some people may have negative side effects from vitamin C, including headaches, nausea, heartburn, and stomach cramps. With bigger dosages comes a greater likelihood of experiencing these adverse effects. More than 2000 mg per day may be risky and increase your risk of developing kidney stones and serious diarrhea. Taking more than 1000 mg daily increases the chance of kidney stones in persons who have already experienced one.

For most people, vitamin C is probably safe when administered topically. It could irritate you and make you feel tingly.

The body’s surplus vitamin C can lead to allergic responses, throat, lip, cheek, and tongue swelling.

The unabsorbed vitamin C that travels through the colon has an osmotic action that causes these effects. Theoretically, consuming more vitamin C might result in the body absorbing too much iron.

Special Precautions and Warnings

• Breastfeeding and pregnancy: Taking vitamin C orally during pregnancy in doses of no more than 2000 mg per day is probably safe. Vitamin C overdose during gestation might have negative effects on the unborn child.
• Children and infants: This population should take vitamin C as directed when given orally. The recommended dosages are given in the table below.

Age Group	Recommended Dosages
1-3 years	400 mg
4-8 years	650 mg
9-13 years	1200 mg
14-18 years	1800 mg

• Alcohol use disorder: Vitamin C insufficiency is common among heavy drinkers, especially in individuals who also suffer from other ailments. These patients might require longer-term care than usual to recover their vitamin C levels.
• Cancer: Vitamin C is highly accumulated by cancerous cells. Use large dosages of vitamin C only when directed to do so by your oncologist until more is understood about the condition.
• Kidney stones: Vitamin C intake in excess might raise the risk of kidney stones. Never take more vitamin C than what is recommended.
• Smoking and chewing tobacco: These activities can diminish vitamin C levels in the body. Smokers and tobacco chewers should eat extra vitamin C as supplements or in their diet.

Conclusion

Vitamin C is an essential nutrient that should be included in meals. Fresh produce, especially citrus fruits, are excellent sources. For the body to grow and operate correctly, vitamin C is required. It is crucial to immune system operation. The majority of specialists advise obtaining vitamin C through food rather than pills. A nice source is fresh oranges and freshly squeezed orange juice.

Vitamin C has traditionally been used to both prevent and cure scurvy. It is now most frequently used to prevent and cure a common cold. Additionally, it is used to treat heart disease, breast cancer, autism, and several other illnesses, but many of these applications lack strong scientific backing.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ascorbic Acid

Q1. How is ascorbic acid made?

Answer: Most artificial forms of vitamin C (or ascorbic acid) are made from cultured fructose, which may be genetically altered. The syrup is then processed with solutions such as methanol, sulfuric acid, or hydroxide to extract the ascorbic acid.

Q2. What is ascorbic acid’s purpose?

Answer: Vitamin C is essential for bones, soft tissues, muscles, and vasculature. It also aids in the absorption of iron, which is essential for forming red blood cells. Ascorbic acid treats and prevents vitamin C deficiencies.

Q3. Does ascorbic acid cause a rise in stomach acid?

Answer: Because ascorbic acid has high acidity, it might produce severe gastrointestinal adverse effects when eaten on an empty stomach. To counteract the low pH of ascorbic acid, neutralized vitamin C (calcium ascorbate) was produced to decrease the unpleasant epigastric impact.