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Science 8 June 1945:
Vol. 101. no. 2632, pp. 587 - 589
DOI: 10.1126/science.101.2632.587
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Articles

THE MECHANISM OF THE VIRUCIDAL ACTION OF ASCORBIC ACID

MORTON KLEIN 1

1 SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, PHILADELPHIA 4, PA.

The theoretical yield of H2O2 formed during the oxidation of a virucidal solution of ascorbic acid approximates the virucidal action of an equivalent amount of H2O2. Both the action of ascorbic acid and H2O2 are completely neutralized by catalase. The action of ascorbic acid against influence A virus may therefore be explained as being due to the H2O2 formed during the Cu catalyzed oxidation of ascorbic acid.

The observed in vitro virucidal activity of ascorbic acid obviously can not be utilized therapeutically because of the presence of catalase in body tissues.

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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)