Abstract: Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is an essential micronutrient with antioxidant properties known for its sensitivity to heat, light and is usually destroyed by oxygen in the air. In this study, Moringa oleifera leaves harvested were analysed for their ascorbic acid content. An aqueous extract was prepared and ascorbic acid content was quantified using iodometric titration, yielding 0.79 mg/g with 56.88% degradation. The functional groups in the isolated sample were identified using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, revealing hydroxyl groups (3000–3500 cm⁻¹), a C=C double bond (1654 cm⁻¹), enol-hydroxyl (1315 cm⁻¹), and an O-H in-plane bending bond (1274 cm⁻¹). Prominent peaks included the carbonyl group (C=O) at 1755 cm⁻¹ and ester (C-O) at 1021–1110 cm⁻¹, consistent with theoretical ranges for hydroxyl (3212–3526 cm⁻¹) and carbonyl (1654–1755 cm⁻¹) groups. Specific O-H bands were assigned as C₁-OH (3526 cm⁻¹, free hydroxyl, alcohol), C₂-OH (3406 cm⁻¹, H-bonded alcohol), C₃-OH (3309 cm⁻¹, H-bonded alcohol), and C₄-OH (3212 cm⁻¹, carboxylic acid), alongside a lactone C=O (1755 cm⁻¹) and C=C (1654 cm⁻¹). Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy (220–340 nm) showed maximum absorption at 241 nm, aligning with standard ascorbic acid. These findings suggest that Moringa oleifera leaves are a rich source of ascorbic acid, potentially contributing to their nutritional and medicinal properties.
Keywords: Ascorbic acid, Moringa oleifera, FTIR, UV-Vis, Iodometric titration.