Ingredient Encyclopedia
Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)
Quick Summary
- Category: Vitamins · Sourcing Origin: India · Form: Powder
- NIH RDA: 90 mg/day (men), 75 mg/day (women); UL: 2,000 mg/day
- EFSA AR: 110 mg/day (men), 95 mg/day (women); UL: 1,000 mg/day
- Sensitive to heat, light, oxygen, and alkaline pH — overage must be accounted for in fortification calculations
- Codex INS 300 (antioxidant food additive) in addition to its nutritional role
What Is Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)?
Ascorbic acid is the chemical name for Vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin and antioxidant that humans cannot synthesise endogenously — unlike most mammals, humans lack the enzyme L-gulonolactone oxidase. The NIH identifies Vitamin C as essential for collagen biosynthesis, immune function, non-haem iron absorption enhancement, and antioxidant protection. It is also listed under Codex as INS 300, used as an antioxidant food additive independently of its nutritional function.
Specification & Form
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Chemical name | L-Ascorbic acid |
| Form | Fine white to off-white crystalline powder |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water |
| Stability | Sensitive to heat, light, oxygen, alkaline pH |
| Regulatory status | Essential vitamin; Codex INS 300 as food additive |
| Sourcing origin | India |
| Pack size | Confirm directly with team |
Reference Values
| Body | Adult RDA/AR | Tolerable Upper Level |
|---|---|---|
| NIH (USA) | 90 mg/day (men), 75 mg/day (women) | 2,000 mg/day |
| EFSA (EU) | 110 mg/day (men), 95 mg/day (women) | 1,000 mg/day |
Stability — Critical for Formulation
Ascorbic acid is among the less stable food/supplement ingredients. Processing losses must be anticipated and overages built into formulation targets:
- Heat: Significant degradation above 70°C
- Light: UV exposure accelerates oxidation
- Oxygen: Oxidised to dehydroascorbic acid; nitrogen-flushed packaging is standard practice
- pH: Stability optimal at acidic pH; degrades rapidly above pH 6.0
Buyer Checklist
- Pack size and MOQ confirmed directly with team
- Storage conditions confirmed: sealed, cool, dark, oxygen-limited
- Overage strategy confirmed for any heat-processed or long-shelf-life formulation
- COA confirming assay/purity
- FSSAI-compliant documentation confirmed
Frequently Asked Questions
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References
Company Information
- YNP Ingredients, Ascorbic Acid product page, ynpingredients.com (India sourcing, FSSAI documentation; pack size confirm directly)
Industry Information
- NIH ODS. *Vitamin C — Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.* ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-HealthProfessional/
- EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies. *Scientific Opinion on Vitamin C.* EFSA Journal. 2013;11(11):3418.
- Codex Alimentarius. GSFA — INS 300 Ascorbic acid.