Ask A Scientist Chemistry Archive

name         Tricishanna H.
status       student
age          16

Question -   My mother always tells me to drink the orange juice 
as soon as possible after opening because it loses its vitamin C. Is this 
true, and why?
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Tricshanna,

Vitamin C is sometimes referred to as "the fragile vitamin" because it is 
very sensitive to oxidation. When orange juice (or any vitamin C 
containing fruit or juice) is exposed to air, the vitamin C it may contain 
declines. Under most conditions, orange juice stays fresh a day or two if 
its kept chilled to slow the oxidation rate.

Regards,
ProfHoff 616
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