A PRESENTATION ON VITAMIN C BY

OYEMOMI SAMUEL A. A BIOCHEMISTRY STUDENT OF LADOKE AKINTOLA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, OGBOMOSO, OYO STATE, NIGERIA.

ASSAY OF ASCORBIC ACID IN VITAMIN C SYRUP

INTRODUCTION Ascorbic Acid is a naturally occurring compound with antioxidant property. It can either be a white solid (pure sample) or appear yellowish (impure sample). It

dissolves well in water to give mildly acidic solution. There are two types of
ascorbic acid. They are; i. L ascorbic acid.

ii. D ascorbic acid. Ascorbic Acid is the active ingredient in the production of vitamin C syrup. From the name a means No and scorbutus means Scurvy. Scurvy is the disease caused by the deficiency of vitamin C.

ASSAY OF ASCORBIC ACID

AIM: To show whether the claim complies with the specification or standard. REAGENT: Starch mucilage, 1M H2SO4, CO2 free water, 0.05M iodine solution, Sample. PRINCIPLE: The principle of this experiment is redox reaction. APPARATUS: Burette, Pipette, Dropper, Spatula, Weighing Balance, Beaker and conical flask. PREPARATION OF STARCH MUCILAGE 1g of soluble starch is weighed and then dissolve with 5ml of water. 95ml of boil water (CO2 free water) was added to make it up to 100ml plus continuous stirring. PROCEDURE FOR THE ASSAY OF VITAMIN C 0.05M of iodine solution was poured into the burette to mark. 5ml of the sample was taking and poured into a conical flask. 25ml of 1M H2SO4 was added to it. 100ml of CO2 free water was also added. Finally, 1ml of starch mucilage was added as indicator followed by thorough shaking. Titrate until a blue violet colour was obtained.

RESULT:

Burette Reading (cm3) Initial Burette Reading (cm3) Final burette Reading (cm3)

1st Titration
0.0 11.4

CALCULATION: Given; Each ml of 0.05M iodine solution is equivalent to 0.008806g ascorbic acid according to British Pharmacopoeia; 1ml of 0.05M iodine 0.008806g Convert 0.008806g to mg 0.008806g = 8.806mg When 1ml of 0.05M iodine solution 8.806mg of ascorbic acid 11.4ml of 0.05M iodine solution = (11.4 8.806)mg of ascorbic acid = 100.3884mg of ascorbic acid 100.4mg of ascorbic acid Hence, 5ml of the sample (Vitamin C) contain 100.4mg of ascorbic acid.

BIOCHEMICAL SIGNIFICANCE
As antioxidant. To prevent and to treat scurvy. It is used as coenzyme in the synthesis of collagen and norepinephrine.

CONCLUSION
High quantity of vitamin C is obtained from fruits and vegetables. Therefore, vitamin C from fruits and vegetables is preferable to vitamin C from cooked foods or drugs.

Take adequate vitamin C and experience its good health

benefits.

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