Vitamin C: Vital Functions and Emerging Detection Technologies

Vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is a vital nutrient known for its essential roles in human health, including antioxidant activity, collagen synthesis, and immune function. Accurate measurement of vitamin C in various matrices—such as food, supplements, and biological fluids-is crucial for nutritional assessment and clinical diagnostics. Traditional methods for vitamin C detection, such as titrations and spectrophotometry, have been largely supplanted by more sophisticated techniques due to their limitations in sensitivity and specificity. Recent advances include high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), mass spectrometry (MS), and capillary electrophoresis (CE), which offer enhanced analytical performance. Additionally, the development of biosensors that utilize nanomaterials has revolutionized vitamin C detection, providing portable, rapid, and real-time measurement capabilities. This review summarizes the evolution of vitamin C detection methodologies, highlighting traditional and contemporary techniques, and discussing their respective advantages and limitations. The implications of these advancements for food quality control, clinical research, and public health are also explored. Future directions in the field of vitamin C detection will focus on improving assay sensitivity, specificity, and the integration of novel technologies for widespread application in both laboratory and field settings.