Erythorbic Acid

Erythorbic acid occurs as a white or slightly yellow-colored crystals or powder. It gradually darkens in color upon exposure to light.Erythorbic Acid is a food preservative that is a strong reducing agent (oxygen accepting) which functions similarly to antioxidants. In the dry crystalline state it is nonreactive, but in water solutions it reacts readily with atmospheric oxygen and other oxidizing agents, making it valuable as an antioxidant. During preparation, dissolving and mixing should incorporate a minimum amount of air, and storage should be at cool temperatures. It has a solubility of 43 g/100 ml of water at 25°c. One part is equivalent to one part ascorbic acid and equivalent to one part sodium erythorbate. It is used to control oxidative color and flavor deterioration in fruits at 150–200 ppm. It is used in meat curing to speed and control the nitrite curing reaction and prolong the color of cured meat at levels of 0.05%.