**3.2 Ascorbic acid's biochemical actions**

There are two categories of ascorbic acid's physiological effects on organisms:

It functions as a redox cofactor, making it easier for numerous enzymes to carry out their functions. These enzymes mostly participate in oxidative processes that lead to the introduction of hydroxyl into organic macromolecules. Additionally, due to the reversibility of the ascorbic/dehydroascorbic acid redox system, the oxidized form of ascorbic acid, dehydroascorbate acid, has virtually the same metabolic action as that of ascorbic acid [19].

It functions as an antioxidant with low molecular weight. It takes part in the body's oxidative homeostasis, working with other antioxidant chemicals to eliminate any potentially harmful excess of reactive oxygen particles.

Ascorbic acid has a number of functions, including the following:

