A quick method for the simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid and sorbic acid in fruit juices by capillary zone electrophoresis

A method of quickly determining ascorbic acid and sorbic acid by capillary zone electrophoresis with ultraviolet detection was developed. The choice of background electrolyte, wavelength, injection time and applied voltage were discussed. Ascorbic acid and sorbic acid were well separated in 80 mmol L-1 boric acid-5 mmol L(-1)borax (pH = 8.0) in 5 min at the detecting wavelength of 270 nm. Under the optimum condition, the method has linear ranges of 2.54-352.00 mg L-1 for ascorbic acid and 1.08-336.39 mg L-1 for sorbic acid with the detection limit of 1.70 mg L-1 for ascorbic acid and 0.54 mg L-1 for sorbic acid, respectively. Other organic acids in fruit juices have no effect on the detection. This method is very feasible and simple and can be used to detect ascorbic acid and sorbic acid in fruit juices. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.