PROCEEDINGS OF THE SHEVCHENKO SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY

Chemical Sciences

Archive / Volume LXXV 2024

Iryna MOROZ, Vasylyna SHEMET, Olha HULAI

Lutsk National Technical University, st. Lvivska, 75, 43018 Lutsk, Ukraine
е-mail: o.hulai@lntu.edu.ua

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37827/ntsh.chem.2024.75.078

VITAMIN C: STRUCTURE, BIOCHEMICAL SIGNIFICANCE, METHODS OF DETERMINATION

The role of vitamin C for the functioning of the human body is outlined. The antioxidant properties of vitamin C are thought to be a key factor in neutralizing free radicals and peroxide compounds, protecting cells from oxidative stress. It also replenishes other antioxidants, such as vitamins E and glutathione. It is a cofactor for enzymes involved in collagen synthesis. It is necessary for the normal functioning of the skin, bones, cartilage, tooth enamel and blood vessels. Due to the loss of the ability to independently produce ascorbic acid, people are completely dependent on the intake of vitamin C from food.
The main food forms of vitamin C are L-ascorbic, D-ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids. The content of vitamin C in vegetables and fruits and the norms of its consumption were analyzed. Vitamin C is an essential component of all green plants and the lowest daily human need for it (40 mg) can be obtained by eating any set of vegetables and fruits every day. Among the plants that are common in Europe, the highest content of the vitamin is inherent in rose hips and black currants. A relatively high content of ascorbic acid is found in strawberries, citrus fruits and various vegetables, in particular, in potatoes.
The determination of vitamin C in food systems is a complex problem due to the oxidation of ascorbic acid, even at the sample preparation stage. The stability of L-ascorbic acid in aqueous solutions can be affected by a number of factors, including exposure to light rays, temperature increases, changes in pH, and the presence of oxygen and metal ions.
Along with classical titrimetric methods, researchers use spectrophotometry, electrochemical and chromatographic methods, the advantages of which are high sensitivity, selectivity, expressiveness, and the possibility of automation. The property of L-ascorbic acid to participate in redox reactions is the basis of titrimetric methods, including iodometric titration (IODINE), dichlorophenol-indophenol titration (DCIP), titration with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS). Spectrophotometric studies are carried out at 530 nm using potassium permanganate as a chromogenic reagent. Electrochemical determination of vitamin C is carried out using mercury, gold, platinum and glass carbon electrodes. Ultra-efficient liquid chromatography (UPLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) are used. The UPLC method is believed to be faster, more sensitive, consumes less eluent, and is more environmentally friendly than the HPLC method The main reason for the deviation of the results and errors is the existence of vitamin C in natural objects in several forms with different activity and chemical resistance.

Keywords: ascorbic acid, vitamin C, antioxidant, methods of analysis.

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How to Cite

MOROZ I., SHEMET V., HULAI O. VITAMIN C: STRUCTURE, BIOCHEMICAL SIGNIFICANCE, METHODS OF DETERMINATION. Proc. Shevchenko Sci. Soc. Chem. Sci. 2024. Vol. LXXV. P. 78-89.

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