Flow Injection Analysis Determination of Ascorbic Acid with Spectrofluorimetric Detection

Abstract

A flow injection system for the fluorescence determination of low level of ascorbic acid is proposed. The method is based on the rapid oxidation of ascorbic acid by thallium(I). The fluorescence signal at 419 nm is proportional to the amount of ascorbic acid in the range of (1.4–28.0) × 10⁻⁷ mole. The relative standard deviations for ten replicate measurements of 1.4 × 10⁻⁶ mole of ascorbic acid was 1.3%. The sample rate of 45 ± 5 sample per hour was achieved. The usefulness of the method was tested in the determination of ascorbic acid in fruit juices and vitamin C tablets.

Key Words:

• Ascorbic acid
• Thallium
• Spectrofluorimetry