Ascorbic Acid

Synonyms: Acidum ascorbicum; C-97; cevitamic acid; 2,3-didehydro-L threohexono-1,4-lactone; E300; 3-oxo-L-gulofuranolactone, enol form; vitamin C.

Description: Ascorbic acid occurs as a white to light-yellow-colored, nonhygroscopic, odorless, crystalline powder or colorless crystals with a sharp, acidic taste. It gradually darkens in color upon exposure to light.

Chemical Name: L-Ascorbic acid

Antioxidant; therapeutic agent.

• Ascorbic acid is used as an antioxidant in aqueous pharmaceutical formulations at a concentration of 0.01–0.1% w/v.
• Ascorbic acid has been used to adjust the pH of solutions for injection, and as an adjunct for oral liquids.
• It is also widely used in foods as an antioxidant.
• Ascorbic acid has also proven useful as a stabilizing agent in mixed micelles containing tetrazepam

Incompatible with alkalis, heavy metal ions, especially copper and iron, oxidizing materials, methenamine, phenylephrine hydrochloride, pyrilamine maleate, salicylamide, sodium nitrite, sodium salicylate, theobromine salicylate, and picotamide. Additionally, ascorbic acid has been found to interfere with certain colorimetric assays by reducing the intensity of the color produced.

Ascorbic acid is an essential part of the human diet, with 40 mg being the recommended daily dose in the UK and 60 mg in the USA. However, these figures are controversial, with some advocating doses of 150 or 250 mg daily. Megadoses of 10 g daily have also been suggested to prevent illness although such large doses are now generally considered to be potentially harmful

Ascorbic acid may be harmful if ingested in large quantities and may be irritating to the eyes. Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Eye protection and rubber or plastic gloves are recommended

Ascorbyl palmitate; erythorbic acid; sodium ascorbate.