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## Supramolecular Aggregates from Vitamin C Derivatives: Structure and Properties ### Pierandrea Lo Nostro University of Florence - Department of Chemistry via Gino Capponi, 9 50121 Firenze (Italy) E-mail: LONOSTRO@HOTMAIL.COM voice: + 39 55 275-7575 FAX: + 39 55 24.08.65 Received:15 June 1997 Received in revised form: 18 July 1997 Accepted: 18 July 1997 Published: 18 July 1997 Copyright © 1997 Internet Journal of Science - Biological Chemistry ## Contents ### Summary Chemical and Biological Properties of Vitamin C Aggregation of Vitamin C derivatives in water solution Vitamin C derivatives as antioxidant agents Conclusions References Summary L-ascorbic acid, or Vitamin C, is a strong and powerful water-soluble antioxidant, that efficiently protects important organic and biological molecules against oxidative degradation. It works even better in conjunction with other antioxidants, such as vitamin E (tocopherols) and carotenoids, by establishing a peculiar recycling system with a synergic effect, that will be discussed later on. However, due to its very poor solubility in non-aqueous media, ascorbic acid cannot be used to protect hydrophobic systems such as fats, biomembrane lipids, or other vitamins. It is therefore essential to synthesize lipophilic derivatives that are soluble in hydrophobic phases, produce supramolecular aggregates in water, and hold the same antioxidant properties. A relevant part of this review is devoted to the explanation of the mechanism involved in the peroxidation of membrane lipids, and to the possible applications of ascorbic acid derivatives as antioxidant for the prevention and therapy of several diseases. ## Acknowledgments Thanks are due to the Italian Ministry of the University, to the "Consorzio per lo Studio dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase" (CSGI, Florence), and to the European Union for partial financial support.