Distribution Of Ascorbic Acid Research Articles

Influence of pre-harvest calcium application on the concentration and distribution of ascorbic acid and mineral content in apple cultivars at harvest and during storage

This study investigated the effects of pre-harvest calcium (Ca) application on apple fruit ascorbic acid (AsA) concentration and mineral contents in the cultivars ‘Braeburn’, ‘Fräulein’, ‘Pinova’, ‘Topaz’ and ‘Elstar’, and core browning (CB) susceptibility in ‘Braeburn’ and ‘Fräulein’ during controlled atmosphere (CA) storage (1 °C, 1 kPa O2 plus ≤ 1 kPa CO2). Approximately eight pre-harvest Ca applications were applied during the growing season for ‘Braeburn’ and ‘Fräulein’ cultivars and one application in “spring” for ‘Pinova’, ‘Topaz’ and ‘Elstar’. In addition, data from five consecutive harvest seasons was used to assess the relationship among AsA, mineral content, and CB for ‘Braeburn’. Results showed that the impact of pre-harvest Ca was variable among cultivars; fruit Ca concentration was increased and the K/Ca ratio was reduced only in ‘Fräulein’ fruit, and AsA was increased only in ‘Braeburn’ fruit, especially in the inner cortex tissue where CB occurs. For ‘Pinova’, ‘Elstar’ and ‘Topaz’, Ca concentration was slightly higher in untreated fruit compared to Ca-treated fruit (p < 0.07). AsA increased after storage, remaining higher in ‘Braeburn’ fruit treated with Ca, especially in the outer cortex tissue. Pre-harvest Ca reduced CB in ‘Fräulein’, but CB incidences in ‘Braeburn’ were too severe (> 84%) and unaffected by Ca application. Analysis of the data from five consecutive harvest seasons showed that ‘Braeburn’ CB incidence related positively with Ca (r = 0.97, p < 0.05) and negatively with the AsA/Ca ratio (r = −0.71, p > 0.05). Our results suggest that the positive effect of pre-harvest Ca application in reducing CB incidence in ‘Braeburn’ apple, as reported by previous studies on ‘Braeburn’ apple, may be associated with increased AsA concentration, possibly due to higher synthesis and/or reduced degradation, rather than due to higher total fruit Ca concentration.

Transcriptomic analysis of the biosynthesis, recycling, and distribution of ascorbic acid during leaf development in tea plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze)

Ascorbic acid (AsA), known as vitamin C, is an essential nutrient for humans and mainly absorbed from food. Tea plant (Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze) leaves can be a dietary source of AsA for humans. However, experimental evidence on the biosynthesis, recycling pathway and distribution of AsA during leaf development in tea plants is unclear. To gain insight into the mechanism and distribution of AsA in the tea plant leaf, we identified 18 related genes involved in AsA biosynthesis and recycling pathway based on the transcriptome database of tea plants. Tea plant leaves were used as samples at different developmental stages. AsA contens in tea plant leaves at three developmental stages were measured by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). The correlations between expression levels of these genes and AsA contents during the development of tea plant leaves were discussed. Results indicated that the l-galactose pathway might be the primary pathway of AsA biosynthesis in tea plant leaves. CsMDHAR and CsGGP might play a regulatory role in AsA accumulation in the leaves of three cultivars of tea plants. These findings may provide a further glimpse to improve the AsA accumulation in tea plants and the commercial quality of tea.

Effects of acidity and emulsifier concentration on the distribution of vitamin C in a model food emulsion

We have analyzed the effects of acidity and emulsifier concentration on the distribution of ascorbic acid or vitamin C (VC) in a model emulsion prepared by mixing octane, acidic (HCl) water and the non‐ionic surfactant hexaethyleneglycol monododecyl ether (C12E6). VC is oil insoluble, and only the partition constant between the interfacial and aqueous regions (PWI) is needed to describe its distribution within the emulsion. The PWI values are calculated from the kinetic analyses of the variation of the observed rate constant (kobs) determined electrochemically for the reaction between the hydrophobic 4‐hexadecylbenzenediazonium (16‐ArN2+) ions and VC with the emulsifier concentration. The determined PWI values (PWI = 4–25) are low in comparison with those obtained for more hydrophobic antioxidants like vitamin E, and pH dependent, decreasing upon decreasing the acidity of the medium. These low values are reflected in the distribution of VC so that a large fraction (70%) is located in the aqueous region at low emulsifier concentrations. At a given pH, the %VC in the aqueous region decreases upon increasing the emulsifier concentration; meanwhile, at a given emulsifier concentration %VC increases upon lowering the acidity. The intrinsic rate constants in the interfacial region kI for the reaction between 16‐ArN2+ and VC have also been determined at different acidities. Their variation with the pH follows an upward bend curve, suggesting an inverse dependence of kI with the acidity of the medium, in keeping with the proposed mechanism for the reaction. The results may be of some interest to the food and pharmaceutical industries because of the extensive use of VC as antioxidant or preservative and because of the health benefits of VC. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

River water quality research within the city limits using some biochemical methods

River water containing a complex of pollutants causes substantial changes in the amylolytic activity of human saliva and affects the kinetics of hydrolytic lipolysis under the action of pancreatic lipase. The fish living in polluted water have been revealed to have peculiarities in the distribution of ascorbic acid in the organ tissues, a decrease in the amount of cavitary fat and in the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in it. Monoamine exchange has been found to be inhibited in the liver and intestine of fish with the soluble fraction of oil. The applicability of the used biochemical methods for evaluating the quality of natural water is demonstrated.

Molecular imaging of adrenal gland by desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Subtle differences in the spatial distributions of closely related compounds including norepinephrine and epinephrine as well multiple lipids are easily distinguished in adult porcine (17 x 8 mm) and rabbit (7 x 4 mm) adrenal glands in a DESI-MS imaging experiment at atmospheric pressure with a spatial resolution of approximately 200 microm. Sensitive and specific detection in the course of DESI imaging discloses details of catecholamine distribution in porcine adrenal medulla and cortex; the average mass of epinephrine interrogated in each pixel is estimated to be about 150 pg. The distribution of ascorbic acid was revealed in the negative ion mode. In addition, the distribution of cholesterol, which cannot be observed using conventional DESI, was obtained using in situ reaction with betaine aldehyde added to the DESI spray while imaging the porcine adrenal gland tissue. Four characteristic types of distributions were observed, with major amounts of the components in the medulla, the cortex, the reticular zone or in the fourth case, being homogeneously distributed. The results agree with and extend information available from histological studies.

Distribution of ascorbic acid in potato tubers and in home-processed and commercial potato foods.

HPLC was used to analyze the content of ascorbic acid (AA) in tubers of four Korean potato cultivars (Chaju, Sumi, Deso, and Dejima), in a series of baked, boiled, braised, fried, microwaved, pressure-cooked, and sauteed potato slices from the Dejima cultivar and in 14 commercial Korean and 14 processed potato foods sold in the United States (chips, snacks, mashed potatoes, fries). The AA content for the four cultivars ranged from 16 to 46 mg/100 g of fresh weight. The distribution of AA in each of the eight potato slices (sticks, plugs) cut horizontally from the stem end of the Dejima potato ranged from 6.8 to 19.3% of the total. The corresponding distribution in seven sticks cut vertically was much narrower, ranging from 11.7 to 17.5% of the total. Losses of AA in water (pH 5.2) were significantly greater than in 5% metaphosphoric acid (pH 1.0). Less degradation occurred in water solutions of the vitamin stored at 1 degree C than at 25 degrees C. Losses of AA observed during home-processing of three varieties with low (Dejima, 16 mg/100 g), intermediate (Sumi, 32 mg/100 g), and high (Chaju, 42 mg/100 g) AA contents were as follows: boiling in water, 77-88%; boiling in water containing 1-3% NaCl, 61-79%; frying in oil, 55-79%; sauteing, 61-67%; pressure-cooking in water, 56-60%; braising, 50-63%; baking, 33-51%; and microwaving, 21-33%. The content of the Korean foods ranged from trace amounts to 25 mg/100 g and that of the U.S. foods from 0.4 to 46 mg/100 g. These results permit optimization of the vitamin C content of the diet by (a) using high-vitamin C potato varieties such as Chaju, (b) selecting sticks cut horizontally for frying, (c) baking or microwaving rather than boiling or frying, and (d) selecting commercial potato foods with a high vitamin C content.

FATE OF THE SYNERGISTIC ANTIOXIDANT SYSTEM ASCORBIC ACID, LECITHIN, AND TOCOPHEROL IN MAYONNAISE: PARTITION OF ASCORBIC ACID

ABSTRACTThe distribution of ascorbic acid between the lipid and aqueous phase was investigated in mayonnaises enriched with fish oil containing a synergistic antioxidant mixture of ascorbic acid, lecithin and γ‐tocopherol, i.e., the A/L/T system (Löliger and Saucy 1989). The ascorbic acid was found to be located in the aqueous phase indicating that the A/L/T system broke down in mayonnaises. Based on the hypothesis that synergistic antioxidant action between ascorbic acid, lecithin and tocopherol requires that the three components are in close assembly, the results offer an explanation as to why the A/L/T system does not function antioxidatively in mayonnaises.

Stress-protective effect of a novel derivative of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids

It has been established that prophylactic oral administration of the new derivative of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids--P-55 in a daily dose of 0.2 g/kg during 30 days prevents some morphological and physiological manifestations of the chronic stress-syndrome in white rats. There were normalized body and some internal organs weights, content and distribution of ascorbic acid in the adrenal tissue; decreased intensity of gastric ulcerogenesis. The behaviour of animals became more quiet. It is concluded that the preparation P-55 has a stress-protective effect during its prophylactic administration.

Distribution of Ascorbic acid in Tissues of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) Administrated Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

Distribution of Ascorbic acid in Tissues of Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) Administrated Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

Ascorbic acid in human neutrophils

The uptake and distribution of ascorbic acid and the effect of extracellular glucose on ascorbic acid transport were investigated in human neutrophils. Freshly isolated neutrophils contained 1.0-1.4 mmol ascorbic acid/L, at least 94% of which was present unbound in the cytosol. Intracellular ascorbic acid was found only in the reduced form. The presence of physiologic amounts of ascorbic acid in the extracellular buffer led to the accumulation of millimolar concentrations of ascorbic acid intracellularly. Accumulation was mediated by a high- and a low-affinity transport activity. The high-affinity transport activity had an apparent Km of 2-5 mumol/L whereas the low-affinity transport activity had an apparent Km of 6-7 mmol/L. Glucose inhibited the uptake and accumulation of ascorbic acid by both transport activities in a concentration-dependent fashion. Glucose-induced inhibition of both ascorbic acid transport activities was completely reversible.

Smoking and the antioxidant ascorbic acid: Plasma, leukocyte, and cervicovaginal cell concentrations in normal healthy women

The influence of cigarette smoking on the plasma, leukocyte, and cervicovaginal cell ascorbic acid levels in 46 healthy smokers and healthy nonsmokers was investigated. Coded peripheral venous blood and cervicovaginal lavage specimens obtained after informed consent were analyzed simultaneously for their ascorbic acid content. The findings suggest that smoking affects the levels and distribution of ascorbic acid. In smokers (n = 16), the number of exfoliated cervicovaginal epithelial cells and leukocyte ascorbic acid levels was significantly higher (p < 0.01, p < 0.05, respectively) compared with nonsmokers (n = 30). In addition, cervicovaginal cell ascorbic acid, plasma reduced and total ascorbic acid levels were significantly lower (p < 0.001, p < 0.01, p < 0.01, respectively). The exfoliated epithelial cell ascorbic acid levels in nonsmokers was fourfold greater than that of leukocytes. The implications of these findings within the context of free radical-induced cellular pertubations in smokers are discussed.

Ascorbic Acid Transport and Accumulation in Human Neutrophils

The transport, accumulation, and distribution of ascorbic acid were investigated in isolated human neutrophils utilizing a new ascorbic acid assay, which combined the techniques of high performance liquid chromatography and coulometric electrochemical detection. Freshly isolated human neutrophils contained 1.0-1.4 mM ascorbic acid, which was localized greater than or equal to 94% to the cytosol, was not protein bound, and was present only as ascorbic acid and not as dehydroascorbic acid. Upon addition of ascorbic acid to the extracellular medium in physiologic amounts, ascorbic acid was accumulated in neutrophils in millimolar concentrations. Accumulation was mediated by a high affinity and a low affinity transporter; both transporters were responsible for maintenance of concentration gradients as large as 50-fold. The high affinity transporter had an apparent Km of 2-5 microns by Lineweaver-Burk and Eadie-Hofstee analyses, and the low affinity transporter had an apparent Km of 6-7 mM by similar analyses. Each transporter was saturable and temperature dependent. In normal human blood the high affinity transporter should be saturated, whereas the low affinity transporter should be in its linear phase of uptake.

Ascorbic acid concentration of human fetal tissues in relation to fetal size and gestational age.

1. Studies were carried out on the distribution of ascorbic acid in human fetal tissues with the progress of gestation. 2. Fetuses and stillborn babies varying in gestational age from 12 to 38 weeks were obtained from various Baroda hospitals. Ascorbic acid levels were determined in selected tissues: brain, adrenal, liver, kidney, lung, heart and placenta. 3. Ascorbic acid concentration in the brain was higher than that in the adrenal at all gestational ages, suggesting the importance of this vitamin in brain development. The concentrations of this vitamin in liver, kidney, lung and placenta were comparable, but that in the heart tended to be lower. In all the tissues, there was a fall in ascorbic acid during late gestation. However, the levels in tissues of stillborn babies were higher than those reported for adults.

Uptake and Release of Adrenal Ascorbic Acid in the Guinea Pig after Injection of ACTH

The effect of a single injection of ACTH (3 KI/100 g body weight) on the distribution of ascorbic acid (AA) and radiolabeled AA in 20 tissues was studied in adult male guinea pigs consuming 500 mg AA/kg diet. Saline- or ACTH-injected animals were simultaneously injected with [1-14C]AA, and killed at 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 h after injection. There was no significant difference between treatments in the weight of any tissue over the 6-h experimental period. As anticipated, the concentration of AA in the adrenals of animals injected with ACTH was 33% of that of animals injected with saline at 4 h. Unexpectedly, the concentration of radiolabeled AA in the adrenals at 0.5 h after ACTH injection was 172% of that after saline injection. The concentration of radiolabeled AA in the adrenal of the saline-injected animals increased slowly over time to reach a level similar to that of ACTH-injected animals by 6 h. There was no effect of ACTH on the level of AA or uptake in any of the other tissues examined. These results demonstrate that a single dose of ACTH markedly influences the retention of AA in the adrenal gland without similarly altering retention of AA in other tissues. Furthermore, ACTH treatment causes both accelerated uptake and release of AA into the adrenals.

Differential distribution of ascorbic acid and RNA in the developing anthers ofDatura stramonium L.

The histochemical localization of ascorbic acid and RNA was studied during developmental stages ofDatura anthers. The concentration of ascorbic acid and RNA was high in primary parietal and primary sporogenous layers, sporogenous cells and pollen grains. The connective of young anther showed remarkably high concentration of ascorbic acid. The high peaks of ascorbic acid and RNA concentration correlated with the growth phases of anther. The connective and anther wall layers act as reservoirs of energy needed for developing sporogenous cells.

Variations in Ascorbic Acid Concentrations in the Liver, Gonads, Kidney, and Blood Serum of Feral Blue Rock Pigeon (Columba livia gmelin) During the Breeding and Nonbreeding Seasons

To elucidate the possible involvement of ascorbic acid in gonadal steroidogenesis and role of gonadal steroids on the vitamin's turnover, ascorbic acid levels were quantified in the liver, gonads, kidney, and blood serum in both sexes of the Indian feral blue rock pigeon (Columba livia gmelin) during the breeding (March to April) and nonbreeding (June to July) seasons. Low concentrations were observed during the breeding season and significantly higher cencentrations during the nonbreeding season. These changes are discussed in relation to the synthesis and distribution of ascorbic acid, gonadal steroidogenesis, and probable influence of gonadal function on ascorbic acid levels.

Distribution of ascorbic acid and ascorbic acid oxidase activity in the developing cashew apple (Anacardium occidentaleL.)

SummaryThe ascorbic acid level rose steadily from 25 days to 55 days after fertilization and then a slight fall was observed. A decrease in enzyme activity was associated with an increase in the ascorbic acid level. The maximum ascorbic acid content was seen when the enzyme activity was lowest in the 55-day-old apple.

Detailed mapping of ascorbate distribution in rat brain

Since only limited data were available on the distribution of ascorbic acid in rat brain, a detailed mapping was undertaken using a slice and semi-micro punching technique. The study provides new data on a number of rat brain regions; the most significant finding is that there are very marked gradients of ascorbate concentrations throughout the various nuclei. The possible correlation of the ascorbate levels with the various neurotransmitter systems is discussed.

Detailed mapping of ascorbate distribution in rat brain

Since only limited data were available on the distribution of ascorbic acid in rat brain, a detailed mapping was undertaken using a slice and semi-micro punching technique. The study provides new data on a number of rat brain regions; the most significant finding is that there are very marked gradients of ascorbate concentrations throughout the various nuclei. The possible correlation of the ascorbate levels with the various neurotransmitter system is discussed.

Effect of barbiturate on the distribution of ascorbic acid in the gastrointestinal tract

Ascorbic acid levels in the gastrointestinal tract were highest in the mucosal layer of the duodenum. Barbiturate anaesthesia accentuated a difference between mucosal and serosal layers, whereas cervical dislocation decreased this difference, mainly by increasing the serosal concentration. Prolonged barbiturate dosage also increased the serosal concentration to a greater extent than the mucosal whether the animals were anaesthetized before the experiment or killed by cervical dislocation.