Ascorbic Acid 99% (Vitamin C)
Product Overview
Ascorbic Acid 99%, also known as Vitamin C or L-Ascorbic Acid, is a six-carbon lactone produced by plants and some animal species but not by humans and other primates. It is a water-soluble vitamin that functions as an enzymatic cofactor for multiple enzymes, serving as an electron donor for monooxygenases and dioxygenases. Ascorbic acid also functions as a powerful antioxidant, particularly against reactive oxygen species.
Chemical Name: L-Ascorbic Acid
CAS Number: 50-81-7
Molecular Formula: C₆H₈O₆
Molecular Weight: 176.12 g/mol
EC Number: 200-066-2
| Properties | Unit | Value | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appearance | - | White to very pale yellow crystalline powder | Visual inspection |
| Odor | - | Almost odorless | Organoleptic |
| Taste | - | Pleasant sharp acidic taste | Organoleptic |
| Purity | - | ≥ 99.0% | HPLC |
| Melting Point | - | 190-192°C | USP/EP |
| Solubility in Water | - | Freely soluble | USP/EP |
| Solubility in Ethanol | - | Slightly soluble | USP/EP |
| Solubility in Ether/Chloroform | - | Insoluble | USP/EP |
| pH (5% solution at 25°C) | - | 2.1-2.6 | USP/EP |
| Loss on Drying | - | ≤ 0.4% | USP/EP |
| Residue on Ignition | - | ≤ 0.1% | USP/EP |
| Heavy Metals | - | ≤ 10 ppm | USP/EP |
| Specific Rotation [α]D20 | - | +20.5° to +21.5° (10% w/v in water) | USP/EP |
| Assay | - | 99.0-100.5% of C₆H₈O₆ | USP/EP |
| Oxalic Acid | - | ≤ 0.2% | USP/EP |
| Copper | - | ≤ 5 ppm | USP/EP |
| Iron | - | ≤ 2 ppm | USP/EP |
| Lead | - | ≤ 2 ppm | USP/EP |
| pKa Value (C3 hydroxyl) | - | 4.1 | Literature |
| pKa Value (C2 hydroxyl) | - | 11.6 | Literature |
Key Features & Benefits
Powerful antioxidant properties
Water-soluble and readily bioavailable
Enhances endothelium-dependent vasodilation
Protects against oxidative stress
Scavenges free radicals (hydroxyl radicals, superoxide, and singlet oxygen)
Reduces membrane-linked antioxidant α-tocopherol (oxidized form)
Stable in dry form
High purity (≥ 99%)
Complies with USP/EP/FCC standards
Industry Applications
Food Industry
Food additive (E300)
Browning inhibitor
Flavor stabilizer
Dough modifier
Color stabilizer
Preservative (in combination with sodium, potassium, or calcium salts)
Meat curing agent for color retention
Pharmaceutical Industry
Dietary supplement
Antioxidant in formulations
Excipient in various dosage forms
pH adjuster
Cosmetic Industry
Antioxidant in skincare formulations
pH adjuster
Skin brightening agent
Chemical Industry
Reducing agent
Antioxidant in various chemical processes
Oxygen scavenger
Packaging & Storage
Packaging
25 kg cardboard boxes with polyethylene liner
Custom packaging available upon request
Storage Conditions
Store in a cool, dry place
Keep container tightly closed
Protect from light, moisture, and heat
Recommended storage temperature: 15-30°C
Relative humidity: ≤ 65%
Shelf life: 24 months when stored as directed in original unopened packaging
Stability Information
Ascorbic acid is unstable in aqueous solutions, especially in the presence of oxygen, heat, light, and metal ions
The stability of ascorbic acid in solution is pH-dependent, with maximum stability at pH 4-6
At pH 7, 99.9% of ascorbic acid is in the form of ascorbate (AH−)
Regulatory Information
CAS Number: 50-81-7
EC Number: 200-066-2
EINECS: 200-066-2
Food Additive: E300 (EU)
GRAS status (FDA)
Meets requirements of USP, EP, JP, FCC
Kosher and Halal certified