Quick Search
INTRODUCTION
Ascorbic acid, universally identified by the food additive code E300 within global food, pharmaceutical, chemical, and nutritional regulatory frameworks, is an essential water-soluble organic compound and antioxidant with the chemical formula C6H8O6.
E300 Ascorbic Acid generally appears as a white to slightly yellowish crystalline powder or colorless crystals, with a sharp, pleasant acidic taste and almost no odor.
E300 Ascorbic Acid, a naturally occurring organic acid commonly known as Vitamin C, primarily functions in the modern food and beverage industry as a powerful antioxidant, acidity regulator, color-protection agent, dough conditioner, and nutritional supplement.
E300 Ascorbic Acid works through its exceptional reducing capacity by scavenging free radicals, donating electrons, and removing oxygen; it effectively prevents enzymatic browning, lipid oxidation, and nutrient loss in processed foods.
The high water solubility, physiological essentiality, non-toxic nature, and multifunctional chemical reactivity of E300 Ascorbic Acid make it an essential ingredient in food preservation, clinical medicine, nutritional supplements, cosmetic formulations, and chemical synthesis.
BASIC PROPERTIES AND IDENTIFIERS
E-Number: E300.
CAS Registry Number: 50-81-7 (L-ascorbic acid).
Chemical Name: (5R)-[(1S)-1,2-Dihydroxyethyl]-3,4-dihydroxyfuran-2(5H)-one.
Common Synonyms: Vitamin C, L-Ascorbic Acid, L-Xyloascorbic Acid, Antiscorbutic Vitamin.
EC / EINECS Number: 200-066-2.
PubChem CID: 54670067.
RTECS Number: CI7650000.
UNII Code: PQ6CK8PD0R.
Molecular Formula: C6H8O6.
Molecular Weight: 176.12 g/mol.
Physical Appearance: White to pale yellow crystalline powder or monoclinic crystals.
Odor: Odorless.
Taste Profile: Clean, sharp, strongly acidic taste.
Density: 1.65 g/cm3 at 20 °C.
Melting Point: 190 °C to 192 °C (decomposes during melting).
Boiling Point: Not applicable (decomposes before boiling).
Flash Point: Not flammable in solid form.
Water Solubility: Highly soluble in water (approximately 330 g/L at 20 °C).
Solubility in Organic Solvents: Soluble in ethanol and glycerol; insoluble in diethyl ether, chloroform, benzene, and petroleum ether.
Optimum Antioxidant Activity Range: Active across a broad pH spectrum; exhibits peak stability under mildly acidic conditions (pH 3.0 to 5.0); susceptible to rapid reactive oxidative degradation in alkaline environments or in the presence of heavy metal ions such as copper and iron.
Mechanism of Action: E300 Ascorbic Acid acts as an electron donor (reducing agent) and is readily oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid. This oxidation primarily consumes dissolved oxygen, scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS), prevents the oxidation of sensitive food components, and inhibits polyphenol oxidase enzymes responsible for browning.
PRODUCTION AND INDUSTRIAL SYNTHESIS
Synthesis Process: Commercial production of E300 Ascorbic Acid is primarily carried out through the combined chemical and microbiological Reichstein process, which starts with D-glucose, or through modern two-step biofermentation methods.
In industrial biofermentation, D-glucose is catalytically hydrogenated to D-sorbitol, which is then microbiologically oxidized to L-sorbose by Gluconobacter oxydans. Subsequent chemical or enzymatic steps convert L-sorbose into 2-keto-L-gulonic acid (2-KLGA), followed by acid-catalyzed lactonization to obtain pure L-ascorbic acid.
Purification and Quality Control: Synthesized E300 Ascorbic Acid solutions undergo recrystallization, decolorization with activated carbon, ion-exchange purification, and drying to ensure compliance with pharmaceutical and food-grade standards.
Purity Standards and Impurities: Food-grade E300 Ascorbic Acid must comply with strict pharmacopeial standards (USP, Ph. Eur., FCC), with an assay requirement of 99.0% to 100.5% by weight on a dried basis.
Regulatory standards strictly enforce limits on toxic impurities, including heavy metals (lead, mercury, and arsenic), oxalic acid, copper, iron, residue on ignition, and specific optical rotation parameters.
PRIMARY & CHEMICAL SYNONYMS
L-Ascorbic acid, L(+)-Ascorbic acid
L-xyl-ascorbic acid
3-keto-L-gulofuranolactone
3-oxo-L-gulofuranolactone
L-threo-hex-2-enoic acid γ-lactone
Cevitamic acid
Hexuronic acid
Antiscorbutic vitamin, Antiscorbutic factor
DETAILED APPLICATIONS AND USES
1. FOOD AND BEVERAGE PROCESSING (E300)
Fruit and Vegetable Processing: E300 Ascorbic Acid prevents enzymatic browning and discoloration in fresh-cut fruits, frozen products, fruit juices, and canned vegetables by inhibiting polyphenol oxidase.
Beverage Preservation: E300 Ascorbic Acid preserves flavor stability in fruit juices, soft drinks, ready-to-drink teas, and beer by scavenging dissolved oxygen, preventing haze formation, and protecting natural color pigments.
Bakery and Dough Conditioning: E300 Ascorbic Acid functions as a dough improver in breadmaking. During mixing, it oxidizes sulfhydryl groups (-SH) in gluten proteins into disulfide bonds (-S-S-), increasing dough strength, gas retention capacity, and loaf volume.
Meat Processing: E300 Ascorbic Acid accelerates the curing reaction between sodium nitrite and meat myoglobin, promoting the formation of stable nitrosomyoglobin, which provides a bright red color, while reducing the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines.
Fats and Oils: E300 Ascorbic Acid acts synergistically with fat-soluble antioxidants such as tocopherols, helping regenerate them and extending the oxidative stability of fats and oils.
2. PHARMACEUTICALS, MEDICINE, AND HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS
Nutritional Supplements: E300 Ascorbic Acid is a key active ingredient in Vitamin C tablets, effervescent powders, multivitamins, and chewable supplements designed to prevent and treat scurvy.
Therapeutic Applications: E300 Ascorbic Acid is administered orally or intravenously to support immune function, increase intestinal iron absorption, promote collagen synthesis, and assist tissue repair and wound healing.
3. COSMETIC AND PERSONAL CARE FORMULATIONS
Anti-Aging Skin Care: E300 Ascorbic Acid is a key ingredient in topical anti-aging serums and creams designed to stimulate collagen synthesis, neutralize UV-induced free radicals, and brighten skin tone.
Hyperpigmentation Reduction: E300 Ascorbic Acid reduces melanin synthesis by inhibiting the tyrosinase enzyme, helping diminish dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
4. CHEMICAL SYNTHESIS AND INDUSTRIAL USES
Water Treatment: E300 Ascorbic Acid is used as a mild reducing agent to neutralize chlorine and chloramines in water treatment systems and fish hatcheries.
Analytical Chemistry: E300 Ascorbic Acid serves as a reducing titrant, antioxidant stabilizer, and reagent in biochemical analyses and photographic developers.
SAFETY, TOXICOLOGY, AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Regulatory Approvals: E300 Ascorbic Acid is authorized for food use throughout the European Union under additive code E300 and has Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status under the US Food and Drug Administration framework (21 CFR 182.3013).
JECFA (FAO/WHO Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives): JECFA has evaluated E300 Ascorbic Acid and assigned it an “ADI not specified” designation. This reflects its low toxicity, physiological essentiality, and safe metabolic profile when used in accordance with good manufacturing practices.
Metabolic Pathway: Consumed E300 Ascorbic Acid is absorbed in the intestine through active transport, distributed to tissue pools, and reversibly oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid. Excess amounts beyond biological saturation are safely excreted in urine unchanged or as metabolites such as oxalic acid.
Toxicological Profile: E300 Ascorbic Acid has very low toxicity. Very high oral doses, amounting to several grams per day, may cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort or osmotic diarrhea and may increase the risk of calcium oxalate kidney stones in susceptible individuals.
Handling, Transportation, and Storage: E300 Ascorbic Acid should be stored in a cool, dry environment in tightly sealed, light-resistant containers, away from air, moisture, alkaline substances, and heavy metals to prevent oxidative discoloration.
CONTACT ATAMAN KIMYA
For further information, technical specifications, product quality details, and supply inquiries regarding E300 Ascorbic Acid, please contact Ataman Kimya.
