Ascorbic Acid Tablets

General Notices

Action and use

Vitamin C.

Definition

Ascorbic Acid Tablets contain Ascorbic Acid.

The tablets comply with the requirements stated under Tablets and with the following requirements.

Content of ascorbic acid, C6H8O6

95.0 to 107.5% of the stated amount.

Identification

A. Carry out the method for thin-layer chromatography, Appendix III A, using the following solutions.
(1) Shake a quantity of the powdered tablets containing 50 mg of Ascorbic Acid with 10 mL of water for 15 minutes and filter.
(2) 0.5% w/v of ascorbic acid BPCRS in water.
chromatographic conditions
(a) Use silica gel F254 precoated plate (Merck silica gel 60 F254 plates are suitable).
(b) Use the mobile phase as described below.
(c) Apply 2 µL of each solution.
(d) Develop the plate to 15 cm.
(e) After removal of the plate, allow it to dry in air and examine under ultraviolet light (254 nm).
mobile phase

20 volumes of water and 120 volumes of ethanol (96%).

confirmation

The principal spot in the chromatogram obtained with solution (1) corresponds in position and colour to that in the chromatogram obtained with solution (2).

B. Shake a quantity of the powdered tablets with water and filter. The filtrate is acidic to litmus solution, decolourises 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol solution and reduces silver nitrate solution immediately at room temperature producing a black precipitate.

Assay

Weigh and powder 20 tablets. Dissolve a quantity of the powder containing 0.15 g of Ascorbic Acid as completely as possible in a mixture of 30 mL of water and 20 mL of 1m sulfuric acid and titrate with 0.1m ammonium cerium(iv) sulfate VS using ferroin solution as indicator. Each mL of 0.1m ammonium cerium(iv) sulfate VS is equivalent to 8.806 mg of C6H8O6.

Storage

Ascorbic Acid Tablets should be kept free from contact with metal and protected from light and moisture.

When vitamin C tablets are prescribed or demanded, Ascorbic Acid Tablets shall be dispensed or supplied.