Vitamin C: Its Chemistry and BiochemistryVitamin C is the first book to cover the history, chemistry, biochemistry, and medical importance of vitamin C and is the first to provide an in-depth, interdisciplinary study of this essential and fascinating compound. The book provides a comprehensive and systematic account of the vitamin C story, fully surveying the history of scurvy and how its cure led to the suggestion, discovery, and isolation of the vitamin, later named L-ascorbic acid. It describes in detail the vitamin's structure determination, synthesis and manufacture, and its oxidation products, derivatives and related compounds. Its key biochemical roles are fully categorized and explained, and the medical importance of the vitamin, including the recent use of so-called megadoses, is thoroughly discussed. Vitamin C will be of interest to a very wide readership and will provide useful background information and inspiration for students at various levels. It will also be relevant to the interested chemist or lay person, as well as those carrying out research in this area. |
Contents
Chapter 1 Introduction | 1 |
Chapter 2 History of Vitamin C and Its Role in the Prevention and Cure of Scurvy | 7 |
Chapter 3 Discovery and Structure of Vitamin C | 26 |
Chapter 4 Synthesis Manufacture and Further Chemistry of Vitamin C | 48 |
Chapter 5 Biochemistry of Vitamin C | 74 |
Chapter 6 Medical Aspects of Vitamin C | 97 |
Chapter 7 Inorganic and Analytical Aspects of Vitamin C Chemistry | 115 |
Bibliography | 147 |
| 149 | |
Other editions - View all
Vitamin C: Its Chemistry and Biochemistry Michael B. Davies,John Austin,David A. Partridge Limited preview - 1991 |
Common terms and phrases
2,3-diketogulonic acid absorption acid Figure adrenal animals antiscorbutic aqueous solution ascorbic biochemistry Blane carbon catalysed caused cells century CH₂ CH2OH CH₂OH CH₂OH CH₂OH OH chemistry CHOH collagen complex compound COOH copper(II crystal cytochrome D-glucose deficiency dehydroascorbic acid derivative diazomethane diet dietary dioxygen disease doses effect enzyme formation free radical fruit and vegetables glucose guinea-pigs H HO H H OH H Haworth hemiketal HO-C hydroxyl intake involving iron(III James Lind juice known L-ascorbic acid lactone lemons Lind megadose membrane MeO OMe metabolism methyl mg per day molecule OH CH₂OH OH HO OH OH OH OH oxalic oxidation oxidation of L-ascorbic oxidation products oxidised oxygen patients plants potatoes present produced proline properties proton reactions of L-ascorbic redox reducing agent result role scurvy shown in Figure species structure substance suggested superoxide synthesis Szent-Györgyi tissues transition metal transition metal ions treatment vitamin B₁₂ vitamin E