Chemical reactions induced by ultrasound and γ-rays in aqueous solutions of L-ascorbic acid

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/0008-6215(92)80061-5

The degradation of L-ascorbic acid in aqueous solutions by ultrasound and ionising radiation was more extensive in the presence than in the absence of air.The primary products were L-erythro-2,3-hexodiulosonic acid, cis- and trans-L-glycero-4-hexulos-2-enonic acid; the secondary products were 2-pentulosonic acid, 4-pentulos-2-enonic acid, tetronic acid, and glyceric acid; and the tertiary product was tetraric acid.The formation of products with less than six carbon atoms was especially effective during irradiation in the presence of air.A mechanism for the degradation of L-ascorbic acid by sonolysis and radiolysis is proposed.