Abstract
Photochemical decomposition of L-ascorbic acid (AsA), D-araboascorbic acid (D-AsA) dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) and 2.3-diketo-L-gulonic acid (2.3-DKG) in aqueous solution, was studied, and also the effects of gas phase, thiourea and EDTA, as stabilizer, and riboflavin, eosine, and fluorescein, as sensitizer, on the photodecomposition of AsA in aqueous solution were examined.
AsA and D-AsA were remarkably decomposed by the light illumination and the extent of the latter's decomposition was greater than that of the former.
DHA and 2.3-DKG were more stable than AsA against the light illumination.
This decomposition of AsA was protected by the presence of N2 gas, and increased by the presence of oxygen.
Thiourea and EDTA could protect this decomposition of AsA. Riboflavin, eosine and fluoresein promoted the photodecomposition of AsA.
DHA and 2.3-DKG were detected in the photodecomposition products of AsA by paper chromatography.
