One vitamin, several raw materials
On a specification sheet, vitamin C appears as ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate, magnesium ascorbate or potassium ascorbate. All of them supply vitamin C, but they are not interchangeable. The salt you choose changes the acidity of the product, the mineral it adds to the label and the way the powder behaves in a blend.
Our range includes vitamin C and magnesium ascorbate. Each lot ships with a certificate of analysis that states the form, the assay and the batch number.
Ascorbic acid
Ascorbic acid is the free acid. It is the most common form and the simplest to label, because the only nutrient it supplies is vitamin C. The trade-off is acidity. In a chewable, a gummy or a powder drink, it can taste sharp and can affect the texture of some bases, so the formula often needs a buffer or a sweetener.
Check on the specification:
- Assay: typically stated as a minimum percentage of ascorbic acid on the dry basis.
- Appearance and colour: white to slightly off-white powder. Yellowing can point to oxidation.
- Particle size: matters for flow in capsule filling and for dissolution in liquids.
Sodium and calcium ascorbate
The salts are buffered, so they are less acidic. Sodium ascorbate adds sodium to the label, which matters for low-sodium products and for some markets. Calcium ascorbate adds calcium and is often chosen for a buffered vitamin C that also contributes calcium. Read the label claims before you pick one: the mineral content must be declared, and the nutrition panel changes with the form.
Magnesium ascorbate
Magnesium ascorbate combines vitamin C with magnesium in one ingredient, which some brands use for a buffered, mineral-containing product. Compare the vitamin C content per gram and the magnesium content as separate figures. A higher ascorbate content does not mean a higher magnesium content, and the two must be checked against the same reference.
A simple comparison method
1. Convert each offer to vitamin C per 100 g of product, not per gram of salt. 2. Note the mineral added by the salt and check it against your label and your target market. 3. Ask for the assay method and the batch range, not only a single result. 4. Test the powder in your blend before committing: acidity and taste often decide the form, not the price.
What to send us
Tell us the form you need, the target vitamin C per dose and the format, for example capsules, tablets or a powder blend. We reply with prices and documents within one hour on business days. You can also solicitar una muestra and test the form in your own formula.