Sodium Ascorbate

Sodium ascorbate is the monosodium salt of L-ascorbic acid, CAS 134-03-2, molecular formula C6H7NaO6, molecular weight 198.11. It presents as a white to slightly yellow crystalline powder, practically odourless, and is freely soluble in water at roughly 62 g per 100 mL at 25 degrees C. A 10 percent aqueous solution reads pH 7.0 to 8.0, against the strongly acidic solution given by ascorbic acid itself, which is why formulators select this salt wherever free acid would corrode process equipment, destabilise acid-sensitive actives, or shift the pH and flavour profile of the finished matrix. On a theoretical basis the salt carries approximately 88.9 percent ascorbic acid equivalent and approximately 11.6 percent sodium, figures that must be built into both the overage calculation and the sodium declaration of any fortified product. Material is offered against the USP, BP and Ph. Eur. monographs, which set assay at 99.0 to 101.0 percent of C6H7NaO6 on the dried basis, specific rotation between +103 and +108 degrees on a 10 percent w/v solution, and loss on drying not more than 0.25 percent. FCC food grade is available for food, beverage and meat processing accounts, where the material carries INS 301 and the European additive number E301. Fine powder is the standard cut; granular grades in the 20 to 80 mesh band are supplied where dust control, flow and direct compression matter. Every consignment ships with a batch certificate of analysis covering assay, specific rotation, pH, loss on drying, heavy metals and trace elements, and microbiological limits, with elemental impurities by ICP-MS and residual solvent data provided against a buyer's own protocol on request. Vitamin C is an established essential nutrient with a recognised role in collagen formation, normal antioxidant defence and the absorption of non-haem iron, and sodium ascorbate is used as a vitamin C source in tablets, capsules, sachets, effervescent blends and nutritional premixes. In industrial food use it functions as an antioxidant and oxygen scavenger in juices and soft drinks, and in cured meat processing as a cure accelerator and colour stabiliser. It is also a routine component of animal feed premixes. Thovek supplies the material ex-India in export packing suited to sea and air freight, with documentation prepared for the destination market.