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E300 Ascorbic Acid is used to treat and prevent vitamin C deficiency .
Also known as vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid, E 300 is a naturally occurring organic compound with antioxidant properties.
E300 Ascorbic Acid is found in plants and foods, including citrus fruits, tomatoes, and green vegetables.
CAS Number:50-81-7
ChEBI: CHEBI:29073
ChEMBL:ChEMBL196
ChemSpider: 10189562
EC Number: 200-066-2
E number: E300 (antioxidants, ...)
IUPHAR/BPS: 4781
KEGG: D00018
MOL File:50-81-7.mol
Molecular Weight:176.12
Synonyms: ASCORBIC ACID,VITAMIN C,L-ASCORBIC ACID,Ascorbate,ascorbic,L-ASCORBATE,(R)-5-((S)-1,2-Dihydroxyethyl)-3,4-dihydroxyfuran-2(5H)-one,ASCOBIC ACID,Ascorbic acid CRS,L(+)-ASCORBIC ACID
E300 Ascorbic Acid is an organic compound with the formula C6H8O6, originally called hexuronic acid.
E300 Ascorbic Acid is a white solid, but impure samples can appear yellowish.
E300 Ascorbic Acid dissolves freely in water to give mildly acidic solutions.
E300 Ascorbic Acid is a mild reducing agent.
E300 Ascorbic Acid, a water-soluble dietary supplement, is consumed by humans more than any other supplement.
The name ascorbic means antiscurvy and denotes the ability of ascorbic to combat this disease.
Vitamin C is the l-enantiomer of ascorbic acid.
Ascorbic acid deficiency in humans results in the body’s inability to synthesize collagen, which is the most abundant protein in vertebrates.
L-Ascorbic acid is a naturally occurring electron donor and therefore serves as a reducing agent.
It is synthesized from glucose in the liver of most mammalian species, excluding humans, non-human primates, or guinea pigs who must obtain E300 Ascorbic Acid through dietary consumption.
In humans, L-Ascorbic acid acts as an electron donor for eight different enzymes, including those related to collagen hydroxylation, carnitine synthesis (which aids in the generation of adenosine triphosphate), norepinephrine synthesis, tyrosine metabolism, and amidating peptides.
L-Ascorbic acid demonstrates antioxidant activity that may be of some benefit for reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and cataracts.
Ascorbic acid exists as two enantiomers (mirror-image isomers), commonly denoted "l" (for "levo") and "d" (for "dextro").
The l isomer is the one most often encountered: E300 Ascorbic Acid occurs naturally in many foods, and is one form ("vitamer") of vitamin C, an essential nutrient for humans and many animals.
Deficiency of vitamin C causes scurvy, formerly a major disease of sailors in long sea voyages.
E300 Ascorbic Acid is used as a food additive and a dietary supplement for its antioxidant properties.
The "d" form (erythorbic acid) can be made by chemical synthesis, but has no major biological role.
E300 Ascorbic Acid is a safe and natural food additive that is chemically equivalent to vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid).
In the food industry, E300 Ascorbic Acid is used as a powerful antioxidant to preserve the freshness of fruit juices, baked goods, and ready-to-eat foods, prevent discoloration (oxidation), and extend their shelf life .
This organic compound, which is easily soluble in water, is abundant in nature, especially in citrus fruits and fresh vegetables.
Industrially,E300 Ascorbic Acid is produced in pure powder or crystalline form by synthesis in the laboratory or by extraction from natural sources.
There is no daily upper limit for its use in food codes; E300 Ascorbic Acid is generally added safely according to the desired technological effect.
E 300, ascorbic acid is a food additive that belongs to the category of antioxidants.
In the food industry, ascorbic acid is one of the most widely used nutritional additives as: antioxidant, preservative, nitrosamine inhibitor, fortificant, etc.
E300 Ascorbic Acid is the most widespread vitamin in nature, especially in the plant kingdom.
Vitamin C can also be synthesised in the animal kingdom, but humans do not have the ability to synthesise E300 Ascorbic Acid.
Chemical Properties
White crystals (plates or needles).
Soluble in water; slightly soluble in alcohol; insoluble in ether, chloroform, benzene, petroleum ether, oils and fats.
Stable to air when dry. One international unit is equivalent to 0.05 milligram of l-ascorbic acid.
Physical properties
Appearance: white crystal or crystalline powder, and E300 Ascorbic Acid is odorless and flavors sour.
The color changes yellowish when exposed in the air for a long time.
Its aqueous solution is acidic reaction.
Solubility: vitamin C is soluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol, and insoluble in chloroform or ether.
Melting point: 190–192 °C. E300 Ascorbic Acid would decompose when E300 Ascorbic Acid melts.
Specific optical rotation: +20.5 to +21.5°.
Ascorbic acid is two-base acid (the pKa is 4.1 and 11.8).
E300 Ascorbic Acid occurs mainly in the form of sodium salt and calcium salt, and its aqueous solution is strongly acidic reaction.
Ascorbic acid is a strong reducing agent.
History
The antiscorbutic properties of certain foods were demonstrated in the 18th century by James Lind.
In 1907, Axel Holst and Theodor Frølich discovered that the antiscorbutic factor was a water-soluble chemical substance, distinct from the one that prevented beriberi.
Between 1928 and 1932, Albert Szent-Györgyi isolated a candidate for this substance, which he called "hexuronic acid", first from plants and later from animal adrenal glands.
In 1932 Charles Glen King confirmed that it was indeed the antiscorbutic factor.
In 1933, sugar chemist Walter Norman Haworth, working with samples of "hexuronic acid" (now called ascorbic acid) that Szent-Györgyi had isolated from paprika and sent him in the previous year, deduced the correct structure and optical-isomeric nature of the compound, and in 1934 reported its first synthesis.
In reference to the compound's antiscorbutic properties, Haworth and Szent-Györgyi proposed to rename E300 Ascorbic Acid "a-scorbic acid" for the compound, and later specifically l-ascorbic acid.
Because of their work, in 1937 two Nobel Prizes: in Chemistry and in Physiology or Medicine were awarded to Haworth and Szent-Györgyi, respectively.
Uses
Food additive
The main use of l-ascorbic acid and its salts is as food additives, mostly to combat oxidation and prevent discoloration of the product during storage.
E300 Ascorbic Acid is approved for this purpose in the EU with E number E300, the US, Australia, and New Zealand.
The "d" enantiomer (erythorbic acid) shares all of the non-biological chemical properties with the more common l enantiomer.
As a result, E300 Ascorbic Acid is an equally effective food antioxidant, and is also approved in processed foods.
Instructions for Use:
In accordance with the Turkish Food Codex Food Additives Regulation, the use of the food additive must be carried out taking into account the foods to which E300 Ascorbic Acid can be added, the conditions of use, maximum quantities, and restrictions specified in the relevant vertical regulations for the finished product being produced or planned to be produced.
If use is planned in countries outside of Türkiye, the relevant legal regulations of that country must be taken into consideration.
Product performance may vary depending on production conditions, the structure and performance of machinery and equipment, seasonal variations, and other raw materials.
Before determining the optimal usage amount, trials should be conducted with minimum quantities, taking into account the restrictions specified in the Turkish Food Codex Food Additives Regulation.
Areas of application:
Ascorbic acid is used as an antioxidant because of its oxygen-scavenging properties.
E300 Ascorbic Acid is used to prolong the storage of fats and fatty foods, and to prevent white vegetables and fruits from browning.
Additionally, fruits that are frozen by rapid cooling lose their natural color and aroma during thawing.
By adding pure ascorbic acid to these fruits just before freezing, these drawbacks can be avoided.
As a result of this process, oxygen is trapped by the ascorbic acid and cannot cause undesirable changes.
In fruits frozen in this way, such as apricots, peaches, apples, grapes, bananas, pears, and pineapples, ascorbic acid is used as an antioxidant.
Apart from this, ascorbic acid is used in many preparations and in the vitamin enrichment of foods and beverages.
Vitamin C is quite stable in acidic environments during fruit juice production.
This stability is enhanced by the action of citrate and flavonoids.
E300 Ascorbic Acid is used as a reducing agent in meat products to reduce the nitrite concentration necessary for a good quality pink color, and E300 Ascorbic Acid is also used in modern bread production.
Some notes on ascorbic acid
E300 Ascorbic Acid is an unnecessary additive, which can weaken the gluten in longer-fermented doughs.
One of its functions is to help ‘convey the impression of improved freshness to the customer’ (our italics).
We believe that bakers improving their knowledge and skills to get the most out of natural ingredients is more beneficial all round than falling back on an additive.
By helping gluten to ‘relax’ E300 Ascorbic Acid can have the incidental effect of increasing the speed of rising, which is moving in the wrong direction of our aim to encouraging bakers to prolong dough fermentation.
Which foods can contain the food additive E 300?
Ascorbic acid is used in ”qs” doses in the following food products:
– in fruit juices and nectars,
– in extra jams and extra jellies,
– in partially and fully dehydrated milk,
– in unprocessed fruit and vegetables,
– in ice cream and frozen foods,
– in chilled and pre-packed, (ready to eat),
– in pre-packed, unprocessed and peeled potatoes,
– in non-emulsified oils and fats of animal or vegetable origin (except virgin and olive oils) for cooking, frying or sauces,
– in canned fruit and vegetables and in minced meat preparations, fresh (pre-packed).
E300 Ascorbic Acid can also be added in ”qs” doses;
– in bread made exclusively of wheat flour, water, yeast or leavening, salt, in the specialities ”pain courant français”,
– in fresh pasta, in beer.
– in liver pâté, ascorbic acid is used in the ” qs” dose,
In pineapple juice and nectar and passion fruit 3g/l may be added.
E300 Ascorbic Acid is also added in foods for healthy infants and young children such as: beverages, juices, fruit and vegetable-based infant foods (separately or in combination with sodium L-ascorbate and calcium L-ascorbate) at a dose of 0.3 g/kg expressed as ascorbic acid, and in cereal-based, fat-containing foods, including biscuits and crumpets, at a dose of 0.2 g/kg (expressed as ascorbic acid).
Properties
Chemical formula: C6H8O6
Molar mass: 176.124 g·mol−1
Appearance: White or light yellow solid
Density: 1.65 g/cm3
Melting point: 190 to 192 °C (374 to 378 °F; 463 to 465 K) decomposes
Solubility in water: 330 g/L
Solubility: Insoluble in diethyl ether, chloroform, benzene, petroleum ether, oils, fats
Solubility in ethanol: 20 g/L
Solubility in glycerol: 10 g/L
Solubility in propylene glycol: 50 g/L
Acidity (pKa): 4.10 (first), 11.6 (second)
