L-Ascorbic acid (C15-1244-840)

General description

Ascorbic acid is also referred to as Vitamin C. It contains a six-carbon lactone produced by plants and some animal species but not by humans and other primates. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin. Vitamin C is a part of citrus fruits, such as Indian gooseberry, broccoli, strawberries, brussels sprouts. L-ascorbic acid is the biologically active form of ascorbic acid. It is unstable and hydrophilic. Ascorbic acid carries a neutral charge, which gets converted to ascorbate by protonation.

Application

• L-Ascorbic acid has been used to induce osteoblast differentiation from primary bone marrow cultures.
• It has been used for the differentiation of hCMPCs (human cardiomyocyte progenitor cells) into cardiomyocytes.
• It has been used to measure the mitochondrial electron transport chain (complex IV) activity.

Biochem/physiol Actions

L-Ascorbic acid plays a role in production of neurotransmitters, carnitine and collagen synthesis. Ascorbic acid functions as an enzymatic cofactor for multiple enzymes, serving as an electron donor for monooxygenases and dioxygenases. Ascorbic acid also functions as a powerful antioxidant, particularly in regards to reactive oxygen species. Vitamin C exhibits anti-oxidant properties. Vitamin C is implicated in conferring protection against photoaging and anti-aging. Deficiency of vitamin C is associated with scurvy, bleeding gums, poor wound healing, anemia and muscle degeneration.

Caution

May darken in storage.