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It is naturally present in fruit and vegetables and is widely used in food and food supplements. Accurate determination is essential to ensure product quality, regulatory compliance and consumer protection.

Vitamin C (L(+)-ascorbic acid) is one of the most in-demand compounds in the global food and supplements market. Its ability to support the immune system, provide antioxidant protection and promote general wellbeing has led to a steady increase in the consumption of fortified products, including functional drinks, capsules and nutritional supplements. In this context, it is essential to ensure that the amount of vitamin C stated on food and supplement labels is accurate in order to protect consumers and guarantee the quality of products on the market. However, vitamin C is a chemically unstable compound. Factors such as heat, light, oxygen and storage time can significantly reduce its concentration. Consequently, the actual vitamin C content of a food or supplement can differ markedly from the theoretical value or the amount initially added during manufacturing. In the case of food supplements, where doses are typically high and consumption is regular, analytical accuracy is of even greater importance. However, vitamin C is a chemically unstable compound. Factors such as heat, light, exposure to oxygen and storage time can significantly reduce its concentration. Consequently, the actual vitamin C content of a food or dietary supplement can differ considerably from the theoretical value or the amount originally added during manufacturing. In the case of dietary supplements, where doses are often high and products are consumed regularly, analytical accuracy is of the utmost importance. Quantifying vitamin C is not a straightforward procedure. Its instability requires robust and carefully validated analytical methods to be used. In this regard, ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation for testing laboratories plays a crucial role.

Our laboratory, AGROLAB Ibérica in Burgos, has obtained this accreditation for determining vitamin C content using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode Array Detection (UHPLC-DAD). This accreditation confirms the technical robustness of this analysis. Accreditation demonstrates the laboratory's technical competence and ensures the reliability of results generated under internationally recognised quality standards. In a world where nutrition and health are becoming increasingly important, specialised laboratories such as AGROLAB Ibérica play a pivotal role in the food supply chain. Their ability to provide accredited testing using advanced technologies such as UHPLC-DAD helps to ensure the safety, quality and transparency of foods and dietary supplements on the market.

YOUR PLUS: Our laboratories offer ISO/IEC 17025-accredited vitamin C analysis for all types of food and dietary supplements.

Authors: Dr Vanessa del Río & Dr Isabel Gómez, AGROLAB Ibérica