“See stunning images of Vitamin C crystals under a microscope”

To start your working week well, every Monday a great scientific or technical image on our site. This time: vitamin C under the microscope.

L-ascorbic acid, or vitamin C, is a water-soluble nutrient involved in many bodily processes, such as the formation of connective tissue. The substance also plays an important role in the immune system and the healing process of the body. Unlike most animals, humans cannot make their own vitamin C – nor can we excel at everything. That is why we depend on food to get our daily dose of this vitamin. But did you ever expect this important chemical to look like this under the microscope?

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In the photo you can see vitamin C crystals under a microscope. To make those crystals, vitamin C is first dissolved in water and ethanol (alcohol). After drying on a glass plate for a while, large, beautiful crystals often form that you can see with a polarizing microscope. The sample is irradiated with polarized light. This is often used when viewing crystals and minerals. In any case, it produces beautiful images.

Image: Robert Berdan