Comparing E300 - Ascorbic acid vs E301 - Sodium ascorbate
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 3,523 products
Found in 214 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 4 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
Is ascorbic acid bad for you?
No—ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is considered safe at typical food levels and is essential for health; it’s GRAS in the U.S. and approved in the EU. Very high supplemental doses can cause gastrointestinal upset and, in susceptible people, increase kidney stone risk.
Can dogs have ascorbic acid?
Yes, small amounts in foods are safe, but dogs synthesize their own vitamin C and usually don’t need supplements. High doses may cause diarrhea, so consult a veterinarian before supplementing.
What is ascorbic acid made from?
Commercial ascorbic acid is typically made from glucose (often derived from corn, wheat, or cassava) that’s converted via microbial fermentation and chemical steps into L‑ascorbic acid.
How is ascorbic acid made?
Industrially, D‑glucose is converted to 2‑keto‑L‑gulonic acid by fermentation (or via the older Reichstein process: glucose → sorbitol → L‑sorbose → 2‑KGA) and then chemically cyclized to ascorbic acid. Modern methods use two-step fermentation to improve efficiency.
Is ascorbic acid the same as citric acid?
No—ascorbic acid (E300) is vitamin C and an antioxidant, while citric acid (E330) is a different compound mainly used as an acidulant and does not provide vitamin C.
Is sodium ascorbate vitamin c?
Yes—sodium ascorbate is the sodium salt of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and provides vitamin C, with no proven bioavailability advantage over other forms; it also contributes some sodium.
What is sodium ascorbate used for?
As a food additive (E301) it acts as an antioxidant and acidity regulator, helping prevent oxidation and maintain color (e.g., in meats and beverages), and it’s also used to fortify foods or as a vitamin C supplement.
How to make sodium ascorbate?
It’s produced by neutralizing L-ascorbic acid with a sodium base (commonly sodium bicarbonate or sodium carbonate) and then drying; food-grade production is controlled for purity and is not recommended to replicate at home.
How to take sodium ascorbate?
Follow the product label, typically taken with water or food; don’t exceed about 2,000 mg/day of vitamin C from all sources unless advised, and account for the added sodium.
Is sodium ascorbate safe?
Yes—E301 is approved in the EU, USA, and Australia/New Zealand and is generally recognized as safe at typical food and supplement levels; high intakes may cause gastrointestinal upset, increase sodium intake, and may not suit people prone to kidney stones or on sodium-restricted diets.