Erythorbic Acid

SRP: Criteria for land treatment or burial (sanitary landfill) disposal practices are subject to significant revision. Prior to implementing land disposal of waste residue (including waste sludge), consult with environmental regulatory agencies for guidance on acceptable disposal practices.

The modifying effects of 3 antioxidants, sodium L-ascorbate (SA), ascorbic acid (AA) and sodium erythorbate (SE) on two-stage gastric carcinogenesis in F344 rats initiated with N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) were investigated. Administration of 5% SE in the diet significantly decreased the incidence of dysplasia of the pylorus and, more marginally the incidence of papilloma of the forestomach, whereas administration of 5% and 1% SA and 5% AA in the diet was not associated with effect. These results suggest that SE exerts a weak inhibitory effect on gastric carcinogenesis. /Sodium erythorbate/

The marked azotemia & other evidence of renal damage induced in rats & dogs by rapid iv admin of tetracycline-HCl (50 mg/kg) was prevented by concomitant admin of ascorbic acid (125 mg/kg or more). D-isoascorbic acid had a similar effect when tested in rats.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 10(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that erythorbic acid is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of erythorbic acid from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 4.07X10-8 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(3). Erythorbic acid is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 1.54X10-10 mm Hg at 25 °C(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(4). Utilizing the OECD-screening test, 52% of dissolved organic content was eliminated after a 28 day incubation of erythorbic acid(5), suggesting that biodegradation may be an important fate process in soils(SRC).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 10(SRC), determined from a structure estimation method(2), indicates that erythorbic acid is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected(3) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 4.07X10-8 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), developed using a fragment constant estimation method(4). According to a classification scheme(5), an estimated BCF of 3.2(SRC), from an estimated log Kow of -1.88(6) and a regression-derived equation(2), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). This compound contains a cyclic ester functional group which is likely to hydrolyze under alkaline conditions(7). Utilizing the OECD-screening test, 52% of dissolved organic content was eliminated after a 28 day incubation of erythorbic acid(8), suggesting that biodegradation may be an important fate process in water(SRC).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), erythorbic acid, which has an estimated vapor pressure of 1.54X10-10 mm Hg at 25 °C(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(2), is expected to exist solely in the particulate phase in the ambient atmosphere. Particulate-phase erythorbic acid may be removed from the air by wet or dry deposition(SRC). Erythorbic acid does not contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(4), and therefore is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

Using a structure estimation method based on molecular connectivity indices(1), the Koc of erythorbic acid can be estimated to be 10(SRC). According to a classification scheme(2), this estimated Koc value suggests that erythorbic acid is expected to have very high mobility in soil.

/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ The influence of erythorbic acid on ascorbic acid metabolism and status was investigated in 11 healthy, non-pregnant women volunteers. The volunteers were maintained in a metabolic unit and fed a formula diet devoid of vitamin C for 54 days. After depletion of 24 days, the subjects received increasing supplements of ascorbic acid (30 mg/d, 60 mg/d and 90 mg/d for successive periods of 10 days) in the presence or absence of 600 mg/d of erythorbic acid. The depletion resulted in a marked decrease in ascorbic acid in all blood indices and during the study some subjects developed signs of scurvy. Ascorbic acid supplements of 30 mg/d for 10 days failed to increase plasma ascorbate concentrations; 60 mg for 10 days caused a small increase and 90 mg/d resulted in a mean ascorbic acid concentration of 29 mmol/L. Erythorbic acid did not cause any adverse effects but rather had a small ascorbic acid-sparing effect.

/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ Adult male volunteers received a constant mixed diet which contained 200 g processed meat for 51 days. The processed meats used were uncured sausage, sausage cured with nitrite (156 mg/kg meat) and sausage cured with a mixture of nitrite (156 mg/kg meat) and erythorbic acid (550 mg/kg meat). The dietary treatments had no significant effects on apparent absorption of iron, zinc or copper, nor on serum zinc or copper levels, plasma ferritin, transferrin or ceruloplasmin levels. The authors concluded that commercial curing processes do not adversely affect the bioavailability of zinc or copper in meat.

/GENOTOXICITY/ Sodium erythorbate did not cause chromosomal aberrations or sister chromatid exchanges in cultured human embryo fibroblasts. /Sodium erythorbate/

AEROBIC: Utilizing the OECD-screening test, 52% of dissolved organic content was eliminated after a 28 day incubation of erythorbic acid; further degradation may be possible, as a plateau was not visible in the degradation curve(1). These data suggest that biodegradation may be an important environmental fate process(SRC).

An estimated BCF of 3.2 was calculated in fish for erythorbic acid(SRC), using an estimated log Kow of -1.88(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC).

The Henry's Law constant for erythorbic acid is estimated as 4.07X10-8 atm-cu m/mole(SRC) using a fragment constant estimation method(1). This Henry's Law constant indicates that erythorbic acid is expected to be essentially nonvolatile from water surfaces(2). Erythorbic acid is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon a an estimated vapor pressure of 1.5X10-10 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(3).

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Sodium erythorbate powder was applied to the intact and abraded skin of six rabbits as a single 2 g/kg dose. A substantial amount of residual compound was observed 24 hours after dosing. No erythema, edema, or other signs of dermal irritation were observed at five of six test sites. One rabbit (abraded skin) had slight (1+) erythema at 24 hours that cleared by 48 hours.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Sodium erythorbate powder (100 mg) was instilled into the conjunctival sac of albino rabbits (10 male and 2 female). The eyes of half of the treated rabbits were rinsed after 5 seconds. Reactions were comparable in rinsed and unrinsed eyes, and were slight and transient in nature. One hour after dosing, two of six unrinsed eyes had congestion of the iris, but the iris reacted normally to light. Varying degrees of redness were observed in the lids of all unrinsed eyes. Slight redness of the nictitating membrane or palpebral conjunctiva at the medial canthus was observed in two unrinsed eyes. At one hour, 1+ iritis was observed in one rinsed eye. Five of six rinsed eyes had slight redness that was limited to only the nictitating membrane in three cases. At 24 hours, all eyes were normal, with the exception of one that had slight reddening of the conjunctiva at the medial canthus. All eyes, rinsed and unrinsed, were normal at 48 hours. The mean ocular irritation scores were 0.33/110 (unrinsed eyes) and 0.17/110 (rinsed eyes). /Sodium erythorbate/

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Sodium erythorbate and ascorbic acid at low concentrations caused NADPH oxidase-induced lipid peroxidation and lysosome labilization. Their actions were additive and occurred via a `cofactor" action. At concentrations greater than 1 mM, the acids inhibited lipid peroxidation and lysosome labilization.

/LABORATORY ANIMALS: Acute Exposure/ Erythorbic acid decreased the viscosity of calf thymus DNA solutions when Cu +2 (as CuSO4) was added. Erythorbic acid, with or without the cupric ion, caused single-and double-strand scissions of DNA that were determined by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The enediol group has an essential role in nucleic acid degradation.

For more Non-Human Toxicity Excerpts (Complete) data for Erythorbic acid (38 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

Erythorbic acid contains a cyclic ester functional group which is likely to hydrolyze under alkaline conditions(1). Erythorbic acid does not contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(2), and therefore is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

According to the 2006 TSCA Inventory Update Report, the number of persons reasonably likely to be exposed in industrial manufacturing, processing, and use of erythorbic acid is 1 to 99; the data may be greatly underestimated(1).

NIOSH (NOES Survey 1981-1983) has statistically estimated that 10,270 workers (2,087 of these were female) were potentially exposed to erythorbic acid in the US(1). Occupational exposure to erythorbic acid may occur through inhalation and dermal contact with this compound at workplaces where erythorbic acid is produced or used. The general population may be exposed to erythorbic acid primarily via ingestion of food and beverages containing erythorbic acid, and dermal contact with this compound(SRC).

Erythorbic acid used as a chemical preservative in food for human consumption is generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing practice.

Erythorbic acid used as a chemical preservative in animal drugs, feeds, and related products is generally recognized as safe when used in accordance with good manufacturing or feeding practice.