Rapid and Visual Detection of Vitamin C Based on Sodium Citrate-Stabilized Silver Nanoparticles

Ensuring the vitamin C requirements are met through dietary intake or supplements is essential for health. In this study, a simple and rapid visual detection method for semi-quantitative analysis of vitamin C was proposed based on sodium citrate-stabilized silver nanoparticles (SC-AgNPs). As a validation of SC-AgNPs as a colorimetric sensor for vitamin C, color changes were observed gradually, shifting from transparent yellow to deep brown after the addition of vitamin C at various concentrations. That is also supported by an increase in absorption intensity at the peak wavelength of 417 nm, which was analyzed using a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Based on the spectral approach method, the linear relationship between absorbance values and vitamin C is in the range of 0-4.2 mM, with a coefficient correlation of 0.99 and sensitivity of 0.95/mM. Furthermore, the feasibility of the SC-AgNPs for vitamin C detection in healthy beverages and tablet pharmaceuticals has been investigated.