Determination Of Ascorbic Acid In Vitamin C Tablets By Titration
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for the growth and repair of tissues in our body. It is also an antioxidant that helps protect the body against free radicals that can cause cell damage. Vitamin C can be obtained from natural sources such as fruits and vegetables or from supplements such as vitamin C tablets. In this article, we will discuss the determination of ascorbic acid in vitamin C tablets by titration.
What is Titration?
Titration is a laboratory technique used to determine the concentration of a substance in a solution by reacting it with a solution of known concentration. The reaction is usually monitored using an indicator that changes color when the reaction is complete. Titration is a common method used in analytical chemistry to determine the concentration of various substances in a sample.
The Principle of Titration
The principle of titration is based on the concept of stoichiometry, which is the study of the quantitative relationships between reactants and products in a chemical reaction. In a titration, a known volume of a solution of known concentration, called the titrant, is slowly added to a solution of unknown concentration, called the analyte. The reaction between the titrant and the analyte is usually a neutralization reaction, where an acid reacts with a base or vice versa.
The Procedure for Determining Ascorbic Acid in Vitamin C Tablets by Titration
The procedure for determining ascorbic acid in vitamin C tablets by titration involves the following steps:
- Prepare a standard solution of potassium iodate by dissolving a known amount of potassium iodate in distilled water.
- Add a known amount of potassium iodide to the standard solution to react with the potassium iodate, forming iodine.
- Add dilute sulfuric acid to the standard solution to liberate iodine, which reacts with the ascorbic acid in the vitamin C tablet, reducing it to iodide.
- Add starch solution to the standard solution as an indicator. The solution will turn blue-black when all the iodine has reacted with the ascorbic acid.
- Repeat the above steps for the vitamin C tablet sample, but first, crush the tablet and dissolve it in distilled water.
- Titrate the vitamin C tablet sample with the standard solution until the blue-black color disappears.
- Calculate the concentration of ascorbic acid in the vitamin C tablet sample using the formula: concentration of ascorbic acid = (volume of standard solution x concentration of standard solution x 1000)/weight of vitamin C tablet sample.
The Importance of Determining Ascorbic Acid in Vitamin C Tablets
The determination of ascorbic acid in vitamin C tablets is important for several reasons:
- To ensure that the vitamin C tablet contains the stated amount of ascorbic acid.
- To assess the quality of the vitamin C tablet.
- To determine the appropriate dosage of the vitamin C tablet.
Conclusion
Titration is a useful laboratory technique used to determine the concentration of a substance in a solution. The determination of ascorbic acid in vitamin C tablets by titration is important to ensure the quality and appropriate dosage of the vitamin C tablet. By following the procedure outlined in this article, one can accurately determine the concentration of ascorbic acid in a vitamin C tablet sample.