Biochemical Role of Vitamin C

THE interesting communication by Kalnenas 1 on the amounts of ascorbic acid in the plasmas of antarctic birds and mammals contains a statement that ought not to go unchallenged. He says, “Ascorbic acid is an indispensable hydrogen carrier in the metabolism of animals”. Contrast this with the more realistic statement of Harris 2 , “It has to be admitted … that the exact biochemical role of vitamin C is still obscure, although there is probably significance in the recent findings that in animal tissues it can catalyse the oxidation of the side chain of the … tyrosine”.