Chemical Aspects of the Mutagenic Activity of the Ascorbic Acid Autoxidation System

Abstract

It has been proposed that the mutagenic activity associated with the ascorbic acid autoxidation system may involve hydrogen peroxide and peroxide radicals. We report here that the system may involve hydrogen peroxide and peroxide radicals. We report there that the mutagenic effect may also partially reside in as yet unknown secondary products. The observed mutagenicity of 2,3-diketogulonic acid, one of the main oxidation products, reflects its ability to form hydrogen peroxide.