Validation and application of an ascorbate oxidase biosensor for the rapid analysis of vitamin C in food and pharmaceutical samples.

L-ascorbic acid occurs naturally in many foods and is frequently added to processed foods as an antioxidant. As the ascorbic acid content in food materials is an indicator of its freshness and nutritive value, rapid and accurate analysis of ascorbic acid is important. Conventional methods of ascorbic acid analysis have several disadvantages and a biosensor is a reliable alternative for rapid analysis of vitamin C in food and pharmaceutical samples. This paper deals with the use of a biosensor technique to analyse the ascorbic acid content in food and pharmaceutical samples and to compare it with the conventional methods of analysis such as high pressure liquid chromatography, titrimetry and spectrophotometric methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]