Ascorbic Acid, commonly known as Vitamin C, is a white to slightly yellow crystalline powder with a sharp, acidic taste. It is widely used in food, pharmaceutical, laboratory, and industrial applications for its antioxidant properties, nutritional benefits, and reactivity.
Chemical Details:
- Chemical Name: Ascorbic Acid
- Other Names: Vitamin C
- Chemical Formula: C₆H₈O₆
- Molecular Weight: 176.12 g/mol
- Purity: Typically ≥99% (USP/FCC/Extra Pure grades available)
- Appearance: White to pale yellow crystalline powder
- Odour: Odourless
- Solubility: Freely soluble in water, slightly soluble in alcohol
Key Features:
- High purity grade suitable for food, pharmaceutical, and laboratory use
- Strong antioxidant properties preventing oxidation in foods and formulations
- Essential vitamin for human health, supporting immunity and tissue repair
- Stable under recommended storage conditions when kept away from light and moisture
Applications:
- Food industry: As a nutritional supplement and antioxidant to preserve colour, flavour, and freshness in beverages, juices, meats, and processed foods
- Pharmaceuticals: Used in vitamin C tablets, syrups, injectables, and multivitamin formulations
- Laboratory use: As a reducing agent in analytical chemistry and sample preparations
- Cosmetics: Incorporated in formulations for its antioxidant and skin-brightening properties
- Industrial use: Prevents oxidation in polymers and stabilises chemical formulations
Benefits:
- Enhances nutritional value in food and supplement products
- Protects food and beverages from oxidative spoilage
- Supports immune system health, collagen synthesis, and iron absorption in the body
- Provides consistent and reliable results in laboratory procedures
How to Use:
- Food and pharmaceuticals: Incorporate as per formulation requirements and regulatory dosage limits.
- Laboratory use: Prepare solutions freshly according to analytical procedures and protocols.
Safety Precautions:
- Generally regarded as safe (GRAS) when used within recommended limits.
- Avoid inhalation of dust; use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks and gloves when handling bulk quantities.
- Store in a cool, dry place, in tightly sealed containers protected from light and moisture to maintain potency.
