Optimization of a colorimetric method to determine ascorbic acids in fruit jelly

The AOAC standard methodology for determination of vitamin C in juices and preparations employs a titration with the indicator 2,6-di-chlorophenol-indophenol. This technique presents difficulties when samples with intense coloration are analyzed. Considering the need for a more adequate methodology to deal with these samples, adaptations of the traditional method were performed and their efficacy was verified. Comparative tests were performed on the standard methodology, the modified methodology and the chromatography method. Six different jelly fruits were analyzed and the proposed modifications were considered satisfactory, because these results were closest to the chromatographic results. The system proved to be linear, repeatable (standard deviation of 2.50%), with high recovery (102.10%) and an economy of 92.88% of reagents was achieved. Concentrations were between 0 to 6.08 mg of ascorbic acid per 100 g of sample.