Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

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!

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