Chapter 2 The nutrients in food
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Would it possible to provide me with any information about the reaction between ascorbic acid and the enzyme ascorbic acid oxidase? The more detailed the better, but mainly referring to the redox reaction of Vitamin C.
Igloo replies
A structural formula for ascorbic acid (vitamin C) can be represented as:
When ascorbic acid is oxidised, in the presence of the enzyme ascorbic acid oxidase, the following reaction takes place:
Notice that this redox reaction involves the oxygen in the air. The enzyme, though involved in this reaction, is not permanently destroyed.
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updated: 28 October 2004
