Question

Give one reason why ascorbic acid is important to human health

Re: Lab #3, explain how you were able to determine the amount of ascorbic acid that was present in your unknown solution. (Please be sure to include the equipment used and the procedure followed.)

Why is it important for a person to know how much Vitamin C is contained in their food?

Answer 1

Ascorbic acid also known as vitamin C, is essential for the growth, development and also repair of all body tissues. It is involved in many body functions, including the formation of collagen, iron absorption, the immune system, wound healing, and the maintenance of cartilage, bones, and teeth, etc

Vitamin C amount can be determined by titration. As the iodine is added during the titration, the ascorbic acid is oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid, while the iodine is reduced to iodide ions. As a consequence, the iodine formed is immediately reduced to iodide as long as there is any ascorbic acid present. Once all the ascorbic acid has been oxidized, excess iodine is free to react with the starch indicator which forms the blue-black starch-iodine complex.  This marks the end-point of titration.

Equipment NEEDED:

burette and stand, 100mL volumetric flask, 20mL pipette, 10 and 100 mL measuring cylinders, 250 mL conical flask

Why we need to know how much Vit C is present in food is because it plays an important role in a number of bodily functions including the production of collagen, L-carnitine, and also some other neurotransmitters. Moreover, it helps to metabolize proteins and its antioxidant activity may reduce the risk of some cancers.