ATMOSPHERIC OXIDATION OF VITAMIN C AND E IN THE SURFACTANT SYSTEM

Abstract

The association of ascorbic acid (H₂A, AA) with α-tocopherol (α-T) enhances the antioxidant capability of the two vitamins in a microemulsion formed by water, pentanol and sodium dodecyl sulphate. The comparison of vitamin C oxidation kinetics in the presence and absence of α-T in the system shows that there are no tangible differences in the time of the ascorbic acid decomposition. The main effect is the enhancement of the H₂A oxidation with increased pentanol concentration in the system. Ascorbic anion interacts with surfactant association structures, changing W/O microemulsion towards O/W system. The polar part of H₂A is exposed to aqueous solution and subjected to oxidation.

For the vitamin C to vitamin E weight ratio equal 0.13, ascorbic acid stimulates α-T decomposition as long, as it does in the non-oxidised form. When not all amounts of both vitamins are decomposed their activity is similar to each other in the anionic surfactant system. It means they are both good antioxidants in W/O microemulsions. After some time, when vitamin C is completely decomposed, all these micellar systems become more stable with regard to vitamin E. Vitamin E occurs to be a better antioxidant in O/W microemulsion.