Full text PDF files should be viewed and printed using Adobe® Acrobat® Reader version 3.01 or higher (Download here). Further details about PDF and Adobe® Acrobat® Reader can be found on our "PDF FAQ" page.

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, Vol. 29 (3) (2001) pp. 110-114
© 2001 IUBMB. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
PII: S1470-8175(01)00039-X

Laboratory exercises

Using a classical method of vitamin C quantification as a tool for discussion of its role in the body

Pietro Ciancaglini a * pietro@ffclrp.usp.br, Hérica L. Santos a, Katia R.P. Daghastanli a and Geraldo Thedei Jr. b

a Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e, Letras de Ribeirão Preto, FFCLRP - USP 14040-901 Ribeirão, Preto, SP, Brazil
b Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade de Uberaba, MG, Brazil

Abstract

The main objective of this experiment is to determine the amount of vitamin C present in fruits, beverages or vitamin C tablets, by performing titrations and the necessary calculations.

Different methods are available for this determination but the titration method is proposed as the simplest and low cost experimental procedure that gives an approximate result to the student and allows calculation of the vitamin C amount.

Once the vitamin C in foodstuffs is quantified, students are guided to compare their results to the recommended daily allowance. This leads to discussion about fruits and fresh green vegetables consumption in the human daily diet needs, not only of vitamin C, but also beta-carotene and others.

Keywords: Vitamin C; Oxidation-reduction titration; Iodine

*Corresponding author. Fax: +55-16-633-8151

[Full text] (PDF 124.7 Kb)

© Copyright 2008, Elsevier Science, All rights reserved.