Abstract
Ascorbic acid is present in nearly all tissues, in plants and animals. All of the higher plants and most animals, with the exception of the primates and the guinea pig, can synthesize it. The distribution of the vitamin in animal tissues has been reviewed by Giroud. The highest concentrations are found in the suprarenal cortex, anterior pituitary, eye lens, and liver tissues. In plants, it is most abundant in the actively growing zones, regions of high metabolic activity. In some fruits the concentration of the vitamin may be as high as 1.0% to 1.5% of the fresh weight. Dried seeds are devoid of ascorbic acid, but it is formed during the early stages of germination. The knowledge of the biological mechanism of the synthesis of L-ascorbic acid, whether in plants or animals, although far from complete, has increased to such an extent that it seemed more useful first to discuss the work in this field, and then to examine the effect of other factors in the light of this information in this chapter.
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