Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a vital nutrient for primates (humans and non-humans.) It prevents and cures scurvy. It is also a water-soluble cellular antioxidant that reacts with free radicals in the water compartment of cells and in intercellular fluids and can "recycle" vitamin E by chemically regenerating it after it has been spent in terminating a free radical reaction.
Many fruits contain vitamin C. However to ensure an adequate amount in the daily diet, it is recommended that supplemental vitamin C be provided.
The stability (or lack of) has always been a major concern. Upon storage, exposure to light, oxygen, moisture and/or high temperature results in rapid degradation of vitamin C. Vitamin C also reacts with certain minerals, such as copper, which makes it degrade more rapidly.
Research conducted by MAZURI® nutritionists has determined that l-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate (stabilized vitamin C) is a source of vitamin C which is highly stable. Trials were conducted in which MAZURI® Primate Diets containing stabilized vitamin C were stored under different environmental temperatures for up to 180 days.
As shown in the graph, the stabilized vitamin C remained 90%+ of the original level, even after 180 days.
