Weak measurement-based sensor for the rapid identification of L(+)-ascorbic acid and D(-)-isoascorbic acid.

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Optical Physics

Background:

• Distinguishing L(+)-ascorbic acid from D(-)-isoascorbic acid is crucial for pharmaceutical quality control.
• Current methods may lack the precision or non-destructive capabilities required for certain analyses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a novel optical sensor for the precise identification of L(+)-ascorbic acid and D(-)-isoascorbic acid.
• To assess the sensor's capability in detecting optically inactive impurities in pharmaceutical samples.

Main Methods:

• Utilized frequency domain weak measurement to establish an optical path sensor.
• Quantitatively analyzed spectral central wavelength magnitude and offset for identification.
• Performed comparative experiments with sodium chloride solutions and vitamin C tablets.

Main Results:

• Achieved high sensitivity (34.35 nm/°) and resolution (5.53 × 10⁻⁵°) for optical rotation.
• Demonstrated detection resolutions of 2.00 × 10⁻⁴ mol/mL for L(+)-ascorbic acid and 2.73 × 10⁻⁴ mol/mL for D(-)-isoascorbic acid.
• Successfully applied the sensor to identify components in medicinal vitamin C tablets, verifying its feasibility with water-insoluble, optically inactive impurities.

Conclusions:

• The developed optical sensor accurately identifies and quantifies L(+)-ascorbic acid and D(-)-isoascorbic acid.
• The sensor exhibits high precision, real-time analysis, robustness, and non-destructive capabilities.
• This method holds significant promise for the detection of chiral molecules in pharmaceutical analysis.