Utilization of ascorbate-2-sulfate in fish.

Although most vertebrate animals synthesize L-ascorbic acid (C1), some animal species lack the ability to produce L-gulonolactone oxidase and are thus dependent upon a dietary source of vitamin C. Fish are unique among this latter group in that they store a chemically stable form of vitamin C and appear to metabolize this compound differently from other vitamin C-requiring organisms. Ascorbate-2-sulfate (C2) contributes to total body stores of ascorbate, but the commonly used assays for ascorbate concentrations in tissues and body fluids do not generally measure C2. An HPLC assay distinguishes between and measures both C1 and C2. Modification of the less exact but commonly used DNPH method can provide adequate data to estimate total vitamers C, C1, and (by difference) C2. Since vitamin C is a required component of feed for salmonids, catfish, eels, shrimp and carp, use of C2 in feed formulation would provide a bioavailable form of ascorbate which is heat and water stable at pH 4-13.