EXPERIMENT 5 :Determination of Ascorbic Acid Content in Sample by Titration Method.

Objective: To determine the ascorbic acid content in fruit juice.

Introduction
This method determines the vitamin C concentration in a solution by a redox titration with
potassium iodate in the presence of potassium iodide. Vitamin C, more properly called ascorbic acid,
is an essential antioxidant needed by the human body. When iodate ions (IO 3−) are added to an acidic
solution containing iodide ions (I −), an oxidation-reduction reaction occurs;- the iodate ions are
reduced to form iodine

IO3− + 6 H+ + 5 e− → ½ I2 + 3 H2O

- while the iodide ions are oxidised to form iodine.

2 I− → I2 + 2 e−

Combining these half-equations demonstrates the reaction between iodate and iodide

IO3− + 5 I− + 6 H+ → 3 I2 + 3 H2O

It is the iodine formed by this reaction that oxidises the ascorbic acid to dehydroascorbic acid as the
iodine is reduced to iodide ions.

ascorbic acid + I2→ 2 I− + dehydroascorbic acid

Due to this reaction the iodine formed is immediately reduced to iodide as long as there is
any ascorbic acid present. Once all the ascorbic acid has been oxidised, the excess iodine is free to
react with the starch indicator, forming the blue-black starch-iodine complex. This is the endpoint of
the titration. The method is suitable for use with Vitamin C tablets, fresh or packaged fruit juices and
solid fruits and vegetables.

Preparation for Ascorbic Acid Analysis

Ascorbic Acid analysis is carried out to determine the amount of vitamin C in sample. Prepare
reagent for ascorbic acid analysis: starch indicator solution, Iodine solution, vitamin C standard
solution, and standardizing solution. Prepare also the sample for titration.

1. Add 0.5 g of soluble starch to 50 ml near-boiling distilled water. Mix well the solution and
allow to cool before used.

2. Dissolve 5 g of potassium iodide (KI) and 0.268 g potassium iodate (KIO 3) in 200 ml of
distilled water. Then add 30 ml of 2 M sulfuric acid. Pour the solution into a 500 ml graduted
cylinder and diluted to a final volume of 500 ml with distilled water. Mix and transfer the
solution to a 600 ml beaker. Label the beaker as iodine solution.
3. Dissolve 0.25 g of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in 100 ml distilled water. Dilute the solution to
250 ml with distilled water in a volumetric flask. Label the flask as Vitamin C standard
solution.

4. For standardizing solution, add 25 ml of vitamin C standard solution to a 125 ml Erlenmeyer

flask. Add 10 drops of 1% starch solution. Rinse the burette with a small volume of the
iodine solution and then fills.

5. Record initial volume. Titrate the solution until the endpoint is reached. Swirl the solution.
The first sign of blue color is seen, it persists for a few seconds.

6. Record the final volume of iodine solution. Minus the final volume from the initial volume.
Record the volume as your required volume.

7. For sample titration, add 25 ml of sample to a 125 ml Erlenmeyer flask. Titrate the solution
until the endpoint is reached. Add iodine solution until blue color persists for few seconds.
The amount of Vitamin C content in samples is calculated as follows;

0.25 g vitamin C = x g vitamin c of sample

a ml iodine solution b ml iodine solution

a = volume used for vitamin C standard solution

b = Volume used for sample titration
0.25 g vitamin C = x g vitamin c of sample
a ml iodine solution b ml iodine solution