Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) Induced Hydroxyl Radical Formation in Copper Contaminated Household Drinking Water: Role of Bicarbonate Concentration

• Published in: Free radical research 2003-08, Vol.37 (8), p.901-905
• Main Authors: Jansson, Patric J., Asplund, Klara U.M., Mäkelä, Johanna C., Lindqvist, Christer, Nordström, Tommy
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anions; Ascorbic Acid - chemistry; Ascorbic Acid - pharmacology; Bicarbonates - chemistry; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; Copper - chemistry; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; Hydroxyl Radical; Oxidation-Reduction; Vitamin C; Water - chemistry; Water Pollution, Chemical; Water Supply
• ISSN: 1071-5762; 1029-2470
• DOI: 10.1080/1071576031000136568

We have previously shown that Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) can trigger hydroxyl radical formation in copper contaminated household drinking water. We report here that the capacity of ascorbic acid to catalyze hydroxyl radical generation in the drinking water samples is strongly dependent on the bicarbonate concentration (buffer capacity and pH) of the samples. We found that at least 50 mg/l bicarbonate was required in the water samples to maintain the pH over 5.0 after ascorbic acid addition. At this pH, that is higher than the pKa1 4.25 of ascorbic acid, a hydroxyl radical generating redox cycling reaction involving the mono-anion of vitamin C and copper could take place. The ascorbic acid induced hydroxyl radical generating reaction could easily be mimicked in Milli-Q water by supplementing the water with copper and bicarbonate. Our results demonstrate that ascorbic acid can induce a pH dependent hydroxyl radical generating reaction in copper contaminated household tap water that is buffered with bicarbonate. The impact of consuming ascorbic acid together with copper and bicarbonate containing drinking water on human health is discussed.