L-Ascorbic acid

L-Ascorbic acid biosynthetic pathway varies in plants, animals and fungi. It is synthesized from L-gulono-1,4-lactone by the action of enzyme L-gulono-1,4-lactone oxidase (GLO).

L-Ascorbic acid has been used:

• as a chondrogenic medium component for culturing bone-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)(149)
• as a reference standard in high-performance liquid chromatography system (HPLC)(150)
• to test its effect on human gastric cancer GES-1 and AGS cells(151)

Ascorbic Acid, also known as Vitamin C, is a six-carbon lactone produced by plants and some animal species but not by humans and other primates. Ascorbic acid functions as an enzymatic cofactor for multiple enzymes, serving as an electron donor for monooxygenases and dioxygenases. Ascorbic acid also functions as a powerful antioxidant, particularly in regards to reactive oxygen species.

L-Ascorbic acid deficiency is associated with lack of L-gulono-1,4-lactone oxidase (GLO) enzyme. It elicits antioxidant functionality and gets oxidized to dehydroascorbate via ascorbyl radical intermediate. L-Ascorbic acid is essential for maintaining the redox balance. It is a cofactor for dopamine-β-hydroxylase and favors T cell proliferation, protects immune system and provides relief in common cold.