E300 VITAMIN C

E300 Vitamin C is the EU food additive code for vitamin C, a natural, safe antioxidant used to preserve color and freshness in foods like bread, fruit, and meat. 
E300 Vitamin C acts as a bread improver (strengthening gluten), prevents browning in fruits, and acts as an acidity regulator. 
E300 Vitamin C is vegan, non-GMO, and generally recognized as safe.

CAS:    50-81-7
MF:    C6H8O6
MW:    176.12
EINECS:    200-066-2

Synonyms:    
3-Keto-L-gulofuranolactone;3-Oxo-L-gulofuranolactone;3-oxo-l-gulofuranolactone(enolform);Adenex;Allercorb;Antiscorbic vitamin;antiscorbicvitamin;Antiscorbutic vitamin

E300 Vitamin C, ascorbic acid is a food additive that belongs to the category of antioxidants.
In the food industry, E300 Vitamin C is one of the most widely used nutritional additives as: antioxidant, preservative, nitrosamine inhibitor, fortificant, etc.
E300 Vitamin C is the most widespread vitamin in nature, especially in the plant kingdom. 
E300 Vitamin C can also be synthesised in the animal kingdom, but humans do not have the ability to synthesise it.
E300 Vitamin C is found in greater quantities in the skin of fruit and less in the flesh. Physiologically mature plants are richer in E300 Vitamin C. 
In animal tissues, the ascorbic acid content is very low. 
A significant amount is found in the liver and spleen (20-50 mg/100 g). 
In milk, its content is between 0.7-2.6 mg/l.
E300 Vitamin C, 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. 
E300 Vitamin C is the l-enantiomer of ascorbic acid. 
E300 Vitamin C deficiency in humans results in the body’s inability to synthesize collagen, which is the most abundant protein in vertebrates.

E300 Vitamin C is a naturally occurring electron donor and therefore serves as a reducing agent. E300 Vitamin C is synthesized from glucose in the liver of most mammalian species, excluding humans, non-human primates, or guinea pigs who must obtain it through dietary consumption. 
In humans, E300 Vitamin C 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. 
E300 Vitamin C demonstrates antioxidant activity that may be of some benefit for reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and cataracts.
E300 Vitamin C is the L-enantiomer of ascorbic acid and conjugate acid of L-ascorbate. 
E300 Vitamin C has a role as a coenzyme, a flour treatment agent, a food antioxidant, a plant metabolite, a cofactor, a skin lightening agent and a geroprotector. 
E300 Vitamin C is an ascorbic acid and a vitamin C. 
E300 Vitamin C is a conjugate acid of a L-ascorbate. 
E300 Vitamin C is an enantiomer of a D-ascorbic acid.

Scurvy (from the French word scorbutus) has been recognized as a disease afflicting mankind for thousands of years. 
Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and limes were later identified as equally effective treatments. 
Only within the last 100 years has a deficiency in E300 Vitamin C been definitively identified as the cause of scurvy. 
In 1932, Waugh and King isolated crystalline E300 Vitamin C from lemon juice and showed it to be the antiscorbutic factor present in each of these treatments.
The structure and chemical formula of E300 Vitamin C was identified in 1933 by Hirst et al.
Because humans are one of the few animal species that cannot synthesize E300 Vitamin C, it has to be available as a dietary component. 
Dietary sources of E300 Vitamin C include fruits (especially citrus fruits), vegetables (especially peppers), and potatoes. 
Although the sources of some commercial products are rose hips and citrus fruits, most E300 Vitamin C is prepared synthetically.
E300 Vitamin C is now commonly referred to as ascorbic acid because of its acidic character and its effectiveness in the treatment and prevention of scorbutus (scurvy). 
The acidic character is because of the two enolic hydroxyls; the C3 hydroxyl has a pKa value of 4.1, and the C2 hydroxyl has a pKa of 11.6. 
All biological activities reside in E300 Vitamin C; therefore, all references to vitamin C, ascorbic acid, ascorbate, and their derivatives refer to this form. 
The monobasic sodium salt is the usual salt form.

History    
E300 Vitamin C is a general term for compounds having ascorbic acid activity, including ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbic acid, and its isomers.
The understanding of E300 Vitamin C has gone through a long and painful process. 
Although the relationship between scurvy and stored food is obvious, but the treatments of this disease have been misguided. 
By 1601, British armed Captain James Lancaster discovered the disease on the ship of the East India Company and regarded the scurvy as “rot,” which could be made tissue alkaline.
At the early stage of the nineteenth century, the understanding and treatment of scurvy had developed to a right approach. 
The exposition of scurvy etiology and metabolic theory took more than a century.
By the early stage of the twentieth century, inspired by the animal model of beriberi, researchers in the Christchurch Oslo University discovered one animal that could suffer scurvy accidentally and then established a valuable scurvy animal model. 
This experiment demonstrated that the extract isolated from lemon had antiscurvy activity. 
Until 1932, many research groups obtained the anti-scurvy crystal from different plants and identified the crystal as ascorbic acid E300 Vitamin C. 
Next year, the chemical structure of ascorbic acid was elucidated, and then its artificial synthesis was accomplished.

E300 Vitamin C Chemical Properties
Melting point: 190-194 °C (dec.)
alpha: 20.5 º (c=10,H2O)
Boiling point: 227.71°C (rough estimate)
density: 1,65 g/cm3
FEMA: 2109 | ASCORBIC ACID
refractive index: 21 ° (C=10, H2O)
storage temp.: Store at +5°C to +30°C.
solubility H2O: 50 mg/mL at 20 °C, clear, nearly colorless
form: powder
pka: 4.04, 11.7(at 25℃)
color: white to slightly yellow
PH: 3.59(1 mM solution);3.04(10 mM solution);2.53(100 mM solution);
Odor: Odorless
PH Range: 1 - 2.5
Appearance: colorless solid
Odor Type: green
Optical Rotation: [α]25/D 19.0 to 23.0°, c = 10% in H2O
biological source: synthetic (organic)
Water Solubility: 333 g/L (20 ºC)
Merck: 14,830
BRN: 84272
BCS Class    1
Stability: Stable. May be weakly light or air sensitive. Incompatible with oxidizing agents, alkalies, iron, copper.
Cosmetics Ingredients Functions: ANTIOXIDANT BUFFERING FRAGRANCE SKIN CONDITIONING
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR): Ascorbic Acid (50-81-7)
InChI: 1S/C6H8O6/c7-1-2(8)5-3(9)4(10)6(11)12-5/h2,5,7-10H,1H2/t2-,5+/m0/s1
InChIKey: CIWBSHSKHKDKBQ-JLAZNSOCSA-N
LogP: -1.85
CAS DataBase Reference: 50-81-7(CAS DataBase Reference)
NIST Chemistry Reference: E300 Vitamin C(50-81-7)
EPA Substance Registry System: E300 Vitamin C (50-81-7)
Absorption: cut-off at 306nm in H2O at 1M

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 Vitamin C is odorless and flavors sour. 
The color changes yellowish when exposed in the air for a long time. 
E300 Vitamin C's aqueous solution is acidic reaction. 
Solubility: E300 Vitamin C is soluble in water, slightly soluble in ethanol, and insoluble in chloroform or ether. 
Melting point: 190–192 °C. 
E300 Vitamin C would decompose when it melts. 
Specific optical rotation: +20.5 to +21.5°. 
E300 Vitamin C is two-base acid (the pKa is 4.1 and 11.8). 
E300 Vitamin C occurs mainly in the form of sodium salt and calcium salt, and its aqueous solution is strongly acidic reaction. 
E300 Vitamin C is a strong reducing agent.

Uses    
The starting point for synthesis of E300 Vitamin C is the selective of oxidation of the sugar compound D-sorbit to L-sorbose using Acetobacter suboxidans bacteria. 
E300 Vitamin C is then converted to L-ascorbic acid, better known as vitamin C.
E300 Vitamin C is a well-known anti-oxidant. 
E300 Vitamin C's effect on free-radical formation when topically applied to the skin by means of a cream has not been clearly established. 
The effectiveness of topical applications has been questioned due to vitamin C’s instability (it reacts with water and degrades). 
Some forms are said to have better stability in water systems. 
Synthetic analogues such as magnesium ascorbyl phosphate are among those considered more effective, as they tend to be more stable. 
When evaluating its ability to fight free-radical damage in light of its synergistic effect with vitamin e, E300 Vitamin C shines. 
As vitamin e reacts with a free radical, E300 Vitamin C, in turn, is damaged by the free radical it is fighting. 

E300 Vitamin C comes in to repair the free-radical damage in vitamin e, allowing e to continue with its free-radical scavenging duties. 
Past research has indicated that high concentrations of topically applied E300 Vitamin C are photoprotective, and apparently the vitamin preparation used in these studies resisted soap and water, washing, or rubbing for three days. 
More current research has indicated that E300 Vitamin C does add protection against uVB damage when combined with uVB sunscreen chemicals. 
This would lead one to conclude that in combination with conventional sunscreen agents, E300 Vitamin C may allow for longer-lasting, broader sun protection. 
Again, the synergy between E300 Vitamin C and e can yield even better results, as apparently a combination of both provides very good protection from uVB damage. 
However, E300 Vitamin C appears to be significantly better than e at protecting against uVA damage. 

A further conclusion is that the combination of E300 Vitamin C, e, and sunscreen offers greater protection than the sum of the protection offered by any of the three ingredients acting alone. 
E300 Vitamin C also acts as a collagen biosynthesis regulator. 
E300 Vitamin C is known to control intercellular colloidal substances such as collagen, and when formulated into the proper vehicles, can have a skin-lightening effect. 
E300 Vitamin C is said to be able to help the body fortify against infectious conditions by strengthening the immune system. 
There is some evidence (although debated) that E300 Vitamin C can pass through the layers of the skin and promote healing in tissue damaged by burns or injury. 
E300 Vitamin C is found, therefore, in burn ointments and creams used for abrasions. 
E300 Vitamin C is also popular in anti-aging products. 
Current studies indicate possible anti-inflammatory properties as well.

Physiological antioxidant. 
Coenzyme for a number of hydroxylation reactions; required for collagen synthesis. 
Widely distributed in plants and animals. 
Inadequate intake results in deficiency syndrome s such as scurvy. 
Used as antimicrobial and antioxidant in foodstuffs.
Sodium, potassium, and calcium salts of ascorbic acids are called ascorbates and are used as food preservatives. 
To make ascorbic acid fat-soluble, E300 Vitamin C can be esterified. 
Esters of ascorbic acid and acids, such as palmitic acid to form ascorbyl palmitate and stearic acid to form ascorbic stearate, are used as antioxidants in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. 
E300 Vitamin C is also essential in the metabolism of some amino acids. 
E300 Vitamin C helps protect cells from free radical damage, helps iron absorption, and is essential for many metabolic processes.

Clinical Use    
E300 Vitamin C is found in fresh fruit and vegetables. 
E300 Vitamin C is very water soluble, is readily destroyed by heat, especially in an alkaline medium, and is rapidly oxidized in air. 
Fruit and vegetables that have been stored in air, cut or bruised, washed, or cooked may have lost much of their E300 Vitamin C content. 
The deficiency disease associated with a lack of ascorbic acid is called scurvy. 
Early symptoms include malaise and follicular hyperkeratosis. 
Capillary fragility results in hemorrhages, particularly of the gums. 
Abnormal bone and tooth development can occur in growing children.
The body’s requirement for E300 Vitamin C increases during periods of stress, such as pregnancy and lactation.
E300 Vitamin C is indicated for the treatment and prevention of known or suspect deficiency. 
Although scurvy occurs infrequently, E300 Vitamin C is seen in the elderly, infants, alcoholics, and drug users.
E300 Vitamin C can also be used to enhance absorption of dietary nonheme iron or iron supplements. 
E300 Vitamin C was historically used to acidify the urine as a result of excretion of unchanged ascorbic acid, although this use has fallen into disfavor. 
E300 Vitamin C also increases iron chelation by deferoxamine, explaining its use in the treatment of iron toxicity.

Production Methods    
E300 Vitamin C is produced synthetically using the Reichstein process, which has been the standard method of production since the 1930s. 
The process starts with fermentation followed by chemical synthesis. 
The first step involves reduction of D-glucose at high temperature into D-sorbitol.
D-sorbitol undergoes bacterial fermentation, converting it into L-sorbose. 
E300 Vitamin C is then reacted with acetone in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid to produce diacetone-L-sorbose, which is then oxidized with chlorine and sodium hydroxide to produce di-acetone-ketogulonic acid (DAKS). 
DAKS is then esterified with an acid catalyst and organics to give a gulonic acid methylester. 
The latter is heated and reacted with alcohol to produce crude ascorbic acid, which is then recrystallized to increase its purity. 
Since the development of the Reichstein process more than 70 years ago, E300 Vitamin C has undergone many modifications. 
In the 1960s, a method developed in China referred to as the two-stage fermentation process used a second fermentation stage of L-sorbose to produce a different intermediate than DAKS called KGA (2-keto-L-gulonic acid), which was then converted into ascorbic acid. 
The two stage process relies less on hazardous chemicals and requires less energy to convert glucose to E300 Vitamin C.

Side effects    
Megavitamin intake of E300 Vitamin C may result in diarrhea due to intestinal irritation. 
Since E300 Vitamin C is partially metabolized and excreted as oxalate, renal oxalate stones may form in some patients.

Biochem/physiol Actions    
E300 Vitamin C mainly exhibits antioxidant properties. 
E300 Vitamin C protects plants from oxidative stress and mammals from diseases associated with oxidative stress. 
E300 Vitamin C mainly protects from hydroxyl radicals, superoxide and singlet oxygen. 
In addition, E300 Vitamin C also reduces the membrane-linked antioxidant α-tocopherol (oxidised form). 
E300 Vitamin C enhances endothelium-dependent vasodilation in various disorders, including diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypertension and chronic heart failure.