Shandong Huashang Chemical Co., Ltd. is a high-tech enterprise focused on industry of fine chemicals research and develop, produce and sale. Shandong Huashang Chemical Co., Ltd. is located in Shan Dong Ji Nan China. we have the ability to provide you high quality products. More than 90 % of our products are exported to developed countries and regions such as north America, Europe, Japan, South Korea and the Middle East.
L(+)-Ascorbic acid
1. Basic Information
Name: L(+)-Ascorbic acid
Alias: Vitamin C, L-Ascorbic acid
CAS No.: 50-81-7
Molecular Formula: C6H8O6
Molecular Weight: 176.12
Category: Water-soluble antioxidant nutritional raw material, food preservative, cosmetic whitening active ingredient, pharmaceutical API, feed additive
2. Physical and Chemical Properties
Physical Properties
- Appearance: White or slightly yellow crystalline powder
- Odor: Odorless, strong sour taste
- Solubility: Freely soluble in water; soluble in methanol, ethanol; slightly soluble in acetone; insoluble in benzene, ether, petroleum ether
- Melting Point: 190–192 ℃ (decomposes)
- Density (predicted): 1.65 g/cm3
- Hygroscopy: Slightly hygroscopic under high humidity
- Aqueous property: Weakly acidic aqueous solution, pH 2.0–3.0; extremely prone to oxidative discoloration in neutral/alkaline water
Chemical Properties
- Molecular structure: Enediol polyhydroxy lactone structure, two adjacent enol hydroxyl groups provide strong reducing activity
- Strong reducibility: Easily oxidized by oxygen, heat, light, metal ions, converts to dehydroascorbic acid and further degradation products; solution turns yellow-brown after oxidation
- Lactone ring hydrolysis: Under strong alkaline heating, lactone ring opens to lose vitamin activity
- Metal ion catalysis: Cu, Fe, Mn ions drastically accelerate oxidation and deterioration
- Thermal stability: Stable under acidic low-temperature conditions; high temperature above 60 ℃ speeds up oxidation loss
- Photostability: Highly light-sensitive; UV irradiation greatly accelerates degradation
- Compatibility: Compatible with acidic carriers, citric acid, malic acid; incompatible with alkaline raw materials, heavy metal salts, strong oxidants
3. Main Application Fields
1. Food & Beverage Antioxidant (Core Application)
Antioxidant, color protectant, nutrition fortifier for fruit drinks, canned food, baked goods, meat products; prevent browning and nutrient loss
2. Pharmaceutical Raw Material
Oral vitamin tablets, injection vitamin C raw material; used for anti-scurvy, antioxidant adjuvant therapy
3. Cosmetic Active Ingredient
Whitening, anti-oxidation, anti-aging raw material; inhibits melanin production, repairs free radical skin damage
4. Animal Feed Additive
Anti-stress nutrition fortifier for livestock, poultry, aquatic products, improve immunity and growth performance
5. Industrial Chemical Auxiliary
Antioxidant for electroplating, water treatment reducing agent, analytical chemical standard reagent
4. Quality Specification Table
| Test Item | Standard Specification |
| CAS Number | 50-81-7 |
| Molecular Formula | C6H8O6 |
| Appearance | Uniform white crystal powder without obvious yellowing |
| HPLC Purity | Food/Pharma Grade ≥99.0% |
| Water Content (KF) | ≤0.40% |
| Residue on Ignition | ≤0.10% |
| Oxidation-related impurities | ≤0.10% |
| Heavy Metals (Pb) | ≤10 ppm |
| Iron (Fe) | ≤2 ppm |
| Packaging | 1kg/5kg amber light-proof aluminum foil bag, 25kg PE lined fiber drum |
| Storage Condition | Hermetically sealed cool dry warehouse below 25 ℃, full light shielding, isolate alkaline materials and metal raw materials |
| Transportation Requirement | Light-sensitive antioxidant crystal, moisture-proof sealed packaging, avoid long-term exposure to air |
| Shelf Life | 24 months under nitrogen vacuum sealed storage |
Safety Warning
Mild irritant acidic crystalline powder. Dust irritates nasal mucosa and eyes; high-concentration aqueous solution irritates skin. All operations in ventilated environment with dust mask and nitrile gloves. Avoid contact with alkaline substances and iron/copper containers. Waste liquid neutralized before discharge; solid waste belongs to general food additive chemical waste. Safe oral intake within standard dosage.
