Logo image
Back
Stability of Aqueous Solutions of Ascorbate for Basic Research and for Intravenous Administration
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Stability of Aqueous Solutions of Ascorbate for Basic Research and for Intravenous Administration

Brett A. Wagner and Garry R. Buettner
Advances in redox research : an official journal of the Society for Redox Biology and Medicine and the Society for Free Radical Research-Europe, Vol.9, 100077
12/2023
DOI: 10.1016/j.arres.2023.100077
PMCID: PMC10552410
PMID: 37808406
url
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arres.2023.100077View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

•Ascorbate readily oxidizes when catalytic metals are present.•We provide methods to circumvent this issue.•Ascorbate solutions intended for clinical use are quite stable and can be made a day or so in advance. Ascorbate (vitamin C) can rapidly oxidize in many near-neutral pH, aqueous solutions. We report on the stability of ascorbate solutions prepared for infusion into patients using standard pharmacy protocols, for example, 75 g of ascorbate/L in water for infusion. The concentration of ascorbate was monitored for changes over time using direct UV-Vis spectroscopy. The pH of the solution was about 5.7 with no significant change over 24 h. There was only an approximate loss of 1% per day over the first 3 days of storage. This information allows decisions on how far ahead of need such preparations can be made. We also provide laboratory approaches to minimize or control the rate of oxidation of ascorbate solutions for use in chemical and biochemical studies as well as preclinical animal studies. The goal is to have the amount of ascorbate intended to be used in experiments be the actual amount available. [Display omitted]
 Ascorbate metal-catalysis pharmacological ascorbate stability vitamin C stability

Details

Metrics

20 Record Views
Logo image