What happens when Vitamin C is Oxidized?

[deleted-185519]

I have a question for my science fair project (about Vitamin C levels over time and effects of temperature on Vitamin C). My Question is (for the background research) what exactly happens when Vitamin C is in contact with oxygen and goes through a process called oxidation (does it lose electrons, or something else?) and how do these changes (from being oxidized) affect the properties of Vitamin C.

Thanks for your help!

[kgudger]

Hello and welcome to the forums

I found some information here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascorbic_acid#Reactions

The ascorbate ion is the predominant species at typical biological pH values. It is a mild reducing agent and antioxidant. It is oxidized with loss of one electron to form a radical anion and then with loss of a second electron to form dehydroascorbic acid. It typically reacts with oxidants of the reactive oxygen species

Best, Keith