SYNTHETIC MANUFACTURING: How is synthetic vitamin C or ascorbic acid made?
Ascorbic acid or calcium ascorbate, the most common and accepted sources of vitamin C in regular USP vitamin C, is nothing more than a chemical substance derived from refined sugar taken from corn which is usually genetically modified. To create ascorbic acid or calcium ascorbate, it first must be cultured. As it ferments, the sugar turns into sorbitol. The sorbitol is then hydrogenated into sorbose. Acetone is then added to the sorbose to break the molecular bonds and create ascorbic acid. To create calcium ascorbate, a source of calcium ascorbate is added with the acetone. Now are these forms of vitamin C truly nutritious? Ascorbic acid is synthesized from corn starch (often genetically modified) that is then transformed into glucose through treatment with enzymes. The glucose is then changed into sorbitol that is fermented. It is then oxidized with sodium hydroxide and a catalyst. The next step is to acidify it which involves rinsing, drying and treating with alcohol and hydrochlori
