Abstract
The antiscorbutic activity of various lauroyl ascorbic acid (Lau-AsA) has been compared with that of ascorbic acid (AsA) by the oral administration of 1.0mg and 0.5mg AsA equivalent to guinea pigs. It has been shown that 2-mono-Lau-AsA, 6-mono-Lau-AsA, 2,6-di-Lau-AsA, 2,5,6-tri-Lau-AsA, and 2,3,5,6-tetra-Lau-AsA are effective in turn, that 2-mono-Lau-AsA and 6-mono-Lau-AsA have almost the same activity as that of AsA, and that 2,3,5,6-tetra-Lau-AsA has also some activity, though it is the lowest among the samples. These results showed a good coincidence with those of enzymatic hydrolysis of Lau-AsA by pancreas and liver homogenates. It appears that the esterification of 6-, or 5- and 6-hydroxy group rather than that of 2-hydroxy group of AsA results in a decrease of the antiscorbutic activity.
