Probl Hig Epidemiol 2013, 94(2): 336-338pl

Assessment of concentration vitamin C in Frugo fruit drinks and dietary supplements

Anna Lebiedzińska ^1/, Marcin Marszałł ^2/, Katarzyna Borzuchowska ^1/, Piotr Szefer ^1/

1/ Katedra i Zakład Bromatologii, Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny
2/ Katedra i Zakład Toksykologii, Gdański Uniwersytet Medyczny

Summary
Introduction. Vitamin C is one of the important vitamins for human health particularly popular for its role in prevention of scurvy. In addition, vitamin C is important for the enhancement of the immune system, absorption of iron, prevention of some cancers and cardiovascular disease. Diet supplementation has become a popular method for consumers to prevent and/or treat chronic health conditions. The frequency of dietary supplement use has increased in recent years, especially among older adults.
Aim. To determine the content of vitamin C in fruit drinks and dietary supplements.
Material & methods. The contents of the L-ascorbic acid has been determined by using the HPLC method with coulometric detection in fruit drinks and dietary supplements.
Results. The present study provides information about the concentration of vitamin C in fruit drinks and dietary supplements. This work concerns the comparison of vitamin C as declared on the label with the quantity estimated analytically in dietary supplements. The differences between vitamin C quantity estimated and that on the label were found.
Conclusion. The proposed separation and detection procedures were successfully applied for evaluation of the vitamin C in fruit drinks and dietary supplements. The results of our investigations have demonstrated that there are differences in the determined vitamin C content and the one declared by the dietary supplement producers.

Key words:  vitamin C, HPLC, dietary supplements, fruit drinks