Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C, E300) · Antioxidant & Nutritional Fortifier

Key characteristics

• Chemical name: L-ascorbic acid.
• E-number: E300, authorised in many regions as an antioxidant and nutrient.
• Solubility: freely soluble in water; limited solubility in ethanol, practically insoluble in oils and fats.
• Antioxidant action: acts as a reducing agent, scavenging oxygen and free radicals, helping to protect flavours, colours, lipids and vitamins from oxidation.
• Sensitivity: sensitive to oxygen, heat, light and high pH, so formulation and processing conditions strongly impact retention.
• Flour treatment agent: in bread and bakery, ascorbic acid is used at very low levels as a dough improver, enhancing gas retention and loaf volume.

Atlas helps customers choose the appropriate grade, dosage and processing strategy to achieve target nutritional and antioxidant performance in their products.

Indicative specification points

Final specifications are tailored for each project, but typical food grade ascorbic acid parameters include:

• Appearance: white to slightly yellowish crystals or crystalline powder, practically odourless with a slightly acidic taste.
• Assay: generally ≥ 99.0% L-ascorbic acid on a dry basis (USP / FCC / food-grade standards).
• Loss on drying: controlled to ensure good flow and stability.
• Heavy metals and impurities: limited in line with applicable food additive specifications.
• pH (in solution): typically acidic, contributing to overall system pH.
• Particle size: from fine powders to granular and directly compressible grades (for premixes, tablets and capsules), depending on project needs.
• Microbiological profile: suitable for beverage, bakery, meat and nutrition applications.

Each batch is delivered with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and detailed technical data sheet. Additional documentation (GMO, allergens, contaminants, dietary status, certificates) is available on request.

Beverages & liquid products

• Juice drinks, nectars and fruit beverages – for vitamin C fortification and to help protect colour, flavour and natural vitamin content against oxidation.
• Carbonated soft drinks (CSDs) and energy drinks – as part of functional drink concepts where vitamin C content supports on-pack claims.
• Sports drinks and hydration beverages – combined with minerals and other vitamins from the Vitamins & Nutritional Enhancers range.
• Tea drinks and RTD coffee – to improve oxidative stability and colour retention where permitted.

Bakery & flour treatment

• Bread and rolls – ascorbic acid is widely used as a flour treatment agent / dough improver, strengthening the gluten network and improving volume, crumb structure and machinability.
• Frozen dough and part-baked products – helps maintain dough strength through freezing and thawing, supporting consistent results at in-store bakeries.
• Fine bakery & pastries – contributes to dough strength and shelf-life stability in selected recipes.

Meat, poultry & processed products

• Processed meat products (sausages, hams, cured meats) – ascorbic acid or sodium ascorbate can be used in curing systems to support colour development and oxidative stability, as permitted by regulations.
• Injection brines & marinades – contributes to colour stability and oxidation control in chilled and cooked products.

Fruit preparations, snacks & nutrition

• Fruit preps, jams and fillings – supports colour retention and antioxidant protection in fruit systems for yogurts, bakery and desserts.
• Snack seasonings and coatings – combined with other antioxidants from the Antioxidants portfolio to protect fats and flavours in baked or fried snacks.
• Nutrition powders and tablets – used at higher inclusion levels to support vitamin C claims, either as stand-alone vitamin or as part of multivitamin premixes.
• Infant and clinical nutrition (where permitted) – as a key vitamin in tailored premixes following strict regulatory frameworks.

Formulation guidance

• Ascorbic acid is highly reactive; for improved stability in certain systems, coated or DC grades or sodium ascorbate may be preferred.
• Typical usage levels vary from tens of ppm (e.g. in flour or meat curing systems) up to hundreds of mg/serving in fortified beverages and nutrition products, always within regulatory limits.
• To minimise losses, ascorbic acid is often:
  • added late in the process (after heat steps where possible),
  • protected from oxygen through de-aeration and closed mixing systems,
  • combined with other antioxidants (e.g. vitamin E, plant extracts) for synergistic effects.
• Regulatory status, maximum permitted levels and labelling of vitamin C / E300 must be verified for each country, product category and target consumer group.

Quality & documentation

• Supplied as food grade ascorbic acid (E300) meeting relevant FCC/USP/food additive specifications, as agreed.
• Each lot accompanied by a Certificate of Analysis (COA) covering assay, loss on drying, impurities and microbiological parameters.
• Supporting documentation can include GMO-free statements, allergen status, contaminants and heavy metal data, dietary suitability, origin statements and others required by your customers.
• Production sites are typically certified under recognised ISO and food safety management systems; Halal and Kosher certificates are often available for selected producers.
• Customers remain responsible for regulatory compliance, maximum use levels, claims and labelling in each destination market. Atlas provides technical and regulatory data to support internal approval.

Packaging, storage & logistics

• Standard packaging: usually 25 kg cartons or drums with inner moisture-protective bags; smaller packaging formats may be available through repacking partners.
• Suitable for full-container and mixed-container loads together with other vitamins, sweeteners, acidulants and functional ingredients.
• Store in a cool, dry place, protected from light, heat and moisture to maintain vitamin potency and flowability.
• Shipments coordinated under FOB, CFR, CIF or other agreed Incoterms, with export, customs and quality documentation managed from Ankara, Türkiye.

To receive a tailored offer, please share your target applications (beverages, bakery, meat, nutrition, etc.), target vitamin C level per serving, annual volume, preferred form (powder, granular, coated/DC), packaging needs, documentation requirements and destination markets.