International Numbering System (INS) for Food Additives: 300
Food additives Europe numbers: E300
Functional Category
Antioxidant; therapeutic agent.
Applications in Pharmaceutical Formulation
Ascorbic acid is used as an antioxidant in aqueous pharmaceutical formulations at a concentration of 0.01–0.1% w/v. Ascorbic acid has been used to adjust the pH of solutions for injection, and as an adjunct for oral liquids. It is also widely used in foods as an antioxidant. Ascorbic acid has also proven useful as a stabilizing agent in mixed micelles containing tetrazepam.(1
Description
Ascorbic acid occurs as a white to light-yellow-colored, nonhygroscopic, odorless, crystalline powder or colorless crystals with a sharp, acidic taste. It gradually darkens in color upon exposure to light.
Stability and Storage Conditions
In powder form, ascorbic acid is relatively stable in air. In the absence of oxygen and other oxidizing agents it is also heat stable. Ascorbic acid is unstable in solution, especially alkaline solution, readily undergoing oxidation on exposure to the air.(2,3) The oxidation process is accelerated by light and heat and is catalyzed by traces of copper and iron. Ascorbic acid solutions exhibit maximum stability at about pH 5.4. Solutions may be sterilized by filtration. The bulk material should be stored in a well-closed nonmetallic container, protected from light, in a cool, dry place
Incompatibilities
Incompatible with alkalis, heavy metal ions, especially copper and iron, oxidizing materials, methenamine, phenylephrine hydrochloride, pyrilamine maleate, salicylamide, sodium nitrite, sodium salicylate, theobromine salicylate, and picotamide.(4,5) Additionally, ascorbic acid has been found to interfere with certain colorimetric assays by reducing the intensity of the color produced.(6)
Safety
Ascorbic acid is an essential part of the human diet, with 40 mg being the recommended daily dose in the UK(7) and 60 mg in the USA.(8) However, these figures are controversial, with some advocating doses of 150 or 250 mg daily. Megadoses of 10 g daily have also been suggested to prevent illness although such large doses are now generally considered to be potentially harmful.(9–11) The body can absorb about 500 mg of ascorbic acid daily with any excess immediately excreted by the kidneys. Large doses may cause diarrhea or other gastrointestinal disturbances. Damage to the teeth has also been reported.(12) However, no adverse effects have been reported at the levels employed as an antioxidant in foods, beverages,(13) and pharmaceuticals. The WHO has set an acceptable daily intake of ascorbic acid, potassium ascorbate, and sodium ascorbate, as antioxidants in food, at up to 15 mg/kg bodyweight in addition to that naturally present in food.(14) LD50 (mouse, IV): 0.52 g/kg(15) LD50 (mouse, oral): 3.37 g/kg LD50 (rat, oral): 11.9 g/k