Solid-phase iodine as an oxidant in flow injection analysis: determination of ascorbic acid in pharmaceuticals and foods by background correction

A flow injection analysis (FIA)-background correction method comprising two solid-phase reactors and spectrophotometry for determination of ascorbic acid (AsA) is proposed. A polyethylene mini-column filled with solid iodine (30% m/m suspended on silica gel beads), reactor 1, and other column filled only with silica gel, reactor 2, which are then incorporated in a flow system so that solid iodine reagent in reactor 1 is affected as the sample passes through the column. The sample blank is produced by the oxidation of the AsA by iodine to form dehydroascorbic acid, insensitive to ultraviolet at 267 nm. AsA in samples is determined after injected in reactor 2; the difference in two analytical signal observed is related to amount of AsA. The linear range of the system is up to 50 μg ml⁻¹ with a detection limit of 0.08 μg ml⁻¹, R.S.D. of better than 1.0% and sampling frequency of 110 sample h⁻¹. The method is successfully applied to the determination of AsA in pharmaceuticals and foods.