Determination of ascorbic acid and its related compounds in foods and beverages by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography

A new hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography method for the simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid (AA), erythorbic acid (EA), 2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2G) and 2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2betaG) was developed using a diol column with an isocratic solution of acetonitrile-66.7 mM ammonium acetate solution (85:15, v/v) at a detection wavelength of 260 nm. The calibration curves were found to be linear in the range of 1-50 microg/ml for AA and EA and in the range of 2.5-100 microg/ml for AA-2G and AA-2betaG. Detection limits of AA, EA, AA-2G and AA-2betaG were 0.3, 0.3, 0.03 and 0.03 microg/ml, respectively. This method was satisfactorily applied to the determination of AA, EA, AA-2G and AA-2betaG in a fruit, a food and beverages. The results show that the procedure is simple and sensitive and that it can be employed for the simultaneous determination of AA and its related compounds in foods and beverages.     

Vitamin C activity in guinea pigs of 6-O-acyl-2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L- ascorbic acids with a branched-acyl chain

A series of novel acylated ascorbic acid derivatives, 6-O-acyl-2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acids with a branched-acyl chain (6-bAcyl-AA-2G) were recently developed in our laboratory as stable and lipophilic ascorbate derivatives. In this study, the bioavailability of 6-bAcyl-AA-2G was investigated in guinea pigs. Various tissue homogenates from guinea pigs hydrolyzed 6-bAcyl-AA-2G to give ascorbic acid (AA), 2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2G), and 6-O-acyl AA. The releasing pattern of the three hydrolysates suggested that 6-bAcyl-AA-2G was hydrolyzed via 6-O-acyl AA to AA as a main pathway and via AA-2G to AA as a minor pathway. The former pathway seems to be of advantage, because 6-O-acyl AA, as well as AA, can have vitamin C activity. In addition, we found that a derivative with an acyl chain of C(12), 6-bDode-AA-2G, had a pronounced therapeutic effect in scorbutic guinea pigs by its repeated oral administrations. These results indicate that 6-bAcyl-AA-2G is a readily available source of AA in vivo, and may be a promising antioxidant for skin care and treatment of diseases associated with oxidative stress.     

Inhibition of free radical-induced erythrocyte hemolysis by 2-O-substituted ascorbic acid derivatives

Inhibitory effects of 2-O-substituted ascorbic acid derivatives, ascorbic acid 2-glucoside (AA-2G), ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (AA-2P), and ascorbic acid 2-sulfate (AA-2S), on 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidative hemolysis of sheep erythrocytes were studied and were compared with those of ascorbic acid (AA) and other antioxidants. The order of the inhibition efficiency was AA-2S> or =Trolox=uric acid> or =AA-2P> or =AA-2G=AA>glutathione. Although the reactivity of the AA derivatives against AAPH-derived peroxyl radical (ROO(*)) was much lower than that of AA, the derivatives exerted equal or more potent protective effects on AAPH-induced hemolysis and membrane protein oxidation. In addition, the AA derivatives were found to react per se with ROO(*), not via AA as an intermediate. These findings suggest that secondary reactions between the AA derivative radical and ROO(*) play a part in hemolysis inhibition. Delayed addition of the AA derivatives after AAPH-induced oxidation of erythrocytes had already proceeded showed weaker inhibition of hemolysis compared to that of AA. These results suggest that the AA derivatives per se act as biologically effective antioxidants under moderate oxidative stress and that AA-2G and AA-2P may be able to act under severe oxidative stress after enzymatic conversion to AA in vivo.     

Intramolecular acyl migration and enzymatic hydrolysis of a novel monoacylated ascorbic acid derivative, 6-O-dodecanoyl-2-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid

A stable ascorbic acid derivative, 2-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid (AA-2G), exhibits vitamin C activity in vitro and in vivo after enzymatic hydrolysis to ascorbic acid. AA-2G has been approved by the Japanese Government as a quasi-drug principal ingredient in skin care and as a food additive. In order to achieve efficient action as an ascorbic acid source, a pro-vitamin C agent, on a variety of cells or tissues, we have synthesized a series of monoacyl AA-2G derivatives. Our previous studies indicate that a series of the derivatives is a readily available source of AA activity in vitro and in vivo, and suggested that intramolecular acyl migration of the derivatives might have occurred in a neutral aqueous solution. In this study, intramolecular acyl migration and enzymatic hydrolysis of a monoacyl AA-2G derivative, 6-O-dodecanoyl-2-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid (6-sDode-AA-2G), were investigated. 6-sDode-AA-2G underwent an intramolecular acyl migration to yield ca. 10% of an isomer in neutral aqueous solutions, and the acyl-migrated isomer was isolated and characterized as 5-O-dodecanoyl-2-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid (5-sDode-AA-2G). In some tissue homogenates from guinea pigs as well as in neutral aqueous solutions, 6-sDode-AA-2G underwent partial acyl migration to give 5-sDode-AA-2G. 6-sDode-AA-2G and the resulting 5-sDode-AA-2G were predominantly hydrolyzed with esterase to AA-2G and then with α-glucosidase to ascorbic acid in the tissue homogenates. The results will provide a further basis for its use as an ingredient in skin care, as an effective pharmacological agent and as a promising food additive.     

Bioavailability of a series of novel acylated ascorbic acid derivatives, 6-O-acyl-2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acids,as an ascorbic acid supplement in rats and guinea pigs

The bioavailability of a series of novel acylated ascorbic acid derivatives, 6-O-acyl-2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acids (6-Acyl-AA-2G), as an ascorbic acid (AA) supplement was investigated in rats and guinea pigs. Oral administration of 6-Acyl-AA-2G to rats resulted in an increase in the plasma AA level. However, the intact form was not detectable in the plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography, indicating its hydrolysis through the process of absorption. After an intravenous injection to rats of 6-Octa-AA-2G as a representative derivative, the intact form rapidly disappeared from the plasma, being followed by a prolonged and marked elevation of the plasma AA level. Various tissue homogenates from guinea pigs were examined for their releasing activity of AA, 2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2G) and 6-O-acyl-AA from 6-Acyl-AA-2G. High activity was observed in the small intestine. These hydrolytic activities to AA and 6-O-acyl-AA were completely inhibited by castanospermine, an alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, and AA-2G was observed as the only resulting hydrolysate, suggesting the participation of alpha-glucosidase and esterase in the in vivo hydrolysis of 6-Acyl-AA-2G. 6-Octa-AA-2G was found to exhibit an obvious therapeutic effect in scorbutic guinea pigs from its repeated oral administration. These results indicate that 6-Acyl-AA-2G is a readily available source of AA activity in vivo, and may be useful as an effective pharmacological agent and as a promising food additive.     

Antioxidant properties of 2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid

The antioxidant activity of a provitamin C agent, 2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2betaG), was compared to that of 2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2G) and ascorbic acid (AA) using four in vitro methods, 1,1-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay, 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS(*+))-scavenging assay, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, and 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced erythrocyte hemolysis inhibition assay. AA-2betaG slowly and continuously scavenged DPPH radicals and ABTS(*+) in roughly the same reaction profiles as AA-2G, whereas AA quenched these radicals immediately. In the ORAC assay and the hemolysis inhibition assay, AA-2betaG showed similar overall activities to AA-2G and to AA, although the reactivity of AA-2betaG against the peroxyl radical generated in both assays was lower than that of AA-2G and AA. These data indicate that AA-2betaG had roughly the same radical-scavenging properties as AA-2G, and a comprehensive in vitro antioxidant activity of AA-2betaG appeared to be comparable not only to that of AA-2G but also to that of AA.     

Permeation and metabolism of a series of novel lipophilic ascorbic acid derivatives, 6-O-acyl-2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acids with a branched-acyl chain, in a human living skin equivalent model

A series of novel lipophilic vitamin C derivatives, 6-O-acyl-2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acids possessing a branched-acyl chain of varying length from C(8) to C(16) (6-bAcyl-AA-2G), were evaluated as topical prodrugs of ascorbic acid (AA) with transdermal activity in a human living skin equivalent model. The permeability of 6-bAcyl-AA-2G was compared with those of the derivatives having a straight-acyl chain (6-sAcyl-AA-2G). Out of 10 derivatives of 6-sAcyl-AA-2G and 6-bAcyl-AA-2G, 6-sDode-AA-2G and 6-bDode-AA-2G exhibited most excellent permeability in this model. Measurement of the metabolites permeated from the skin model suggested that 6-bDode-AA-2G was mainly hydrolyzed via 6-O-acyl AA to AA by tissue enzymes, while 6-sDode-AA-2G was hydrolyzed via 2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid to AA. The former metabolic pathway seems to be advantageous for a readily available source of AA, because 6-O-acyl AA, as well as AA, is able to show vitamin C activity.     

Antioxidant Properties of 2-O-β-D-Glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic Acid

The antioxidant activity of a provitamin C agent, 2-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2βG), was compared to that of 2-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2G) and ascorbic acid (AA) using four in vitro methods, 1,1-diphenyl-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay, 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical cation (ABTS^?+)-scavenging assay, oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, and 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced erythrocyte hemolysis inhibition assay. AA-2βG slowly and continuously scavenged DPPH radicals and ABTS^?+ in roughly the same reaction profiles as AA-2G, whereas AA quenched these radicals immediately. In the ORAC assay and the hemolysis inhibition assay, AA-2βG showed similar overall activities to AA-2G and to AA, although the reactivity of AA-2βG against the peroxyl radical generated in both assays was lower than that of AA-2G and AA. These data indicate that AA-2βG had roughly the same radical-scavenging properties as AA-2G, and a comprehensive in vitro antioxidant activity of AA-2βG appeared to be comparable not only to that of AA-2G but also to that of AA.     

2-O-α-D-Glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid as an antitumor agent for infusion therapy

Ascorbic acid (AA) has been reported as a treatment for cancer patients. Intravenous (iv) administration of high-dose AA increases plasma AA levels to pharmacologic concentrations and generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) to exert anti-tumor activity via enhancement of oxidative stress. However, AA is very unstable in aqueous solutions and it is impossible to preserve AA for a long period in a solution. 2-O-α-D-Glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid (AA-2G), which is a glucoside derivative of AA, has been found to exhibit much higher stability than AA in aqueous solutions and it shows vitamin C activity after enzymatic hydrolysis to AA. To evaluate the effectiveness of AA-2G for cancer treatment, we examined the antitumor activity of AA-2G to murine colon carcinoma (colon-26) cells and in tumor-bearing mice. AA-2G did not show cytotoxicity to colon-26 cells, whereas AA exhibited a significant cytotoxic effect in a concentration-dependent manner. In colon-26 tumor-bearing mice, iv administration of high-dose AA-2G as well as that of AA significantly inhibited tumor growth. Experiments on the biodistribution and clearance of AA-2G in tumor-bearing mice showed that AA-2G was rapidly hydrolyzed to AA and exhibited significant antitumor activity. Treatment of tumor-bearing mice with AA-2G tended to increase plasma malondialdehyde level. These results indicated that the antitumor activity of AA-2G was caused by ROS generated by AA released by rapid hydrolysis of AA-2G.     

Enhancement of developmental competence after in vitro fertilization of porcine oocytes by treatment with ascorbic acid 2-O-alpha-glucoside during in vitro maturation.

The present study was conducted to examine the effect of ascorbic acid 2-O-alpha-glucoside (AA-2G), a stable ascorbate derivative, on the sustenance of cytoplasmic maturation responsible for subsequent developmental competence after in vitro fertilization of porcine oocytes. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were cultured for 44 h in North Carolina State University 37 medium supplemented with cysteine, gonadotropins, 10% (v:v) porcine follicular fluid, and 0-750 microM AA-2G. When oocytes were matured in the presence of 250 microM AA-2G, their ability to promote transformation of the sperm nucleus into the male pronucleus (MPN) was strongly enhanced after in vitro fertilization. Similarly, the presence of 25 microM beta-mercaptoethanol (ME) enhanced the degree of progression to MPN of penetrated sperm by associating with the increase in intracellular glutathione (GSH) content. Although the AA-2G treatment during oocyte maturation showed no influence on the GSH concentration, significantly higher levels of ascorbic acid (AsA) were detected in these oocytes than in those oocytes cultured without AA-2G (P < 0.05). The length of DNA migration encompassed by reactive oxygen species (ROS), generated by the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system, was not increased in the oocytes treated with AA-2G, whereas ME treatment could not block the DNA damage by ROS. These findings indicate that AA-2G in maturation medium can potentiate the cellular protection of oocytes against oxidative stress by continuously supplying AsA. The proportion of development to the blastocyst stage after in vitro insemination was significantly increased in oocytes matured with AA-2G (P < 0.05), and this proportion showed no difference in comparison with that of oocytes treated with ME. These findings suggest that a critical concentration of intracellular AsA, supplied by AA-2G during in vitro maturation, plays an important role in supporting the cytoplasmic maturation responsible for developmental competence after fertilization by prevention of oxidative stress against porcine oocytes.     

Characterization of Bacillus stearothermophilus cyclodextrin glucanotransferase in ascorbic acid 2-O-alpha-glucoside formation

In this study, we characterized cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) from Bacillus stearothermophilus in L-ascorbic acid-2-O-alpha-D-glucoside (AA-2G) formation and compared its enzymological properties with those of rat intestinal and rice seed alpha-glucosidases which had the ability to form AA-2G. CGTase formed AA-2G efficiently using alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) as a substrate and ascorbic acid (AA) as an acceptor. Several AA-2-oligoglucosides were also formed in this reaction mixture, and they could be converted to AA-2G by the additional treatment of glucoamylase. The optimum temperature for AA-2G formation was 70 degrees C and its optimum pH was around 5.0. CGTase also utilized beta- and gamma-CDs, maltooligosaccharides, dextrin, amylose, glycogen and starch as substrates, but not any disaccharides except maltose. CGTase showed the same acceptor specificity as two alpha-glucosidases, whereas its hydrolyzing activity towards AA-2G was very low compared with those of alpha-glucosidases. Cleavage profiles of AA-2-oligoglucosides by CGTase present a possible mechanism for AA-2G formation that CGTase transfers a glucose-hexamer to an acceptor at the first step and then a glucose is stepwisely removed from the non-reducing end of the product through glucoamylase-like action of this enzyme. These results indicate that CGTase is able to synthesize AA-2G more efficiently than rat and rice alpha-glucosidases and utilization of this enzyme makes the mass production of AA-2G possible.     

Behavior of 2-O-α-D-Glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic Acid in a Flour-water Suspension and Its Effectiveness as a Dough Improver

The behavior of 2-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2G) in a whole wheat flour suspension was investigated. AA-2G was hydrolyzed by a non-dialyzable and heat-labile component in flour and liberated L-ascorbic acid (AA). The pH profile for the hydrolysis is similar to that of rice α-glucosidase. However, the hydrolysis of AA-2G was inhibited completely by endogenous sugars, mainly maltose, which were produced rapidly during the hydration of flours. In the presence of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain with a strong maltose-utilizing capability, the hydrolysis of AA-2G proceeded in a flour suspension, and was followed by the formation of dehydro-L-ascorbic acid. The hydrolysis of AA-2G also proceeded in yeasted dough, concomitant with increases in the resistance on an extensigram and in the loaf volume of the bread. These effects of AA-2G on dough were less than those of equimolar AA because of the imperfect liberation of AA. The results show that AA-2G could be useful as a highly stable dough improver.     

Suppressive effects of ascorbate derivatives on ultraviolet-B-induced injury in HaCaT human keratinocytes

The aging of skin, including sunburning, is caused by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Here, we examined the inhibitory effect of ascorbic acid (AsA) and its derivatives AsA 2-phosphate (AA-2P) and AsA 2-glucoside (AA-2G) on UV-B- induced cytotoxicity in HaCaT keratinocytes. Results show that cell viability significantly decreased when exposed to UV-B at 0.1-0.4 J/cm2 in a dose-dependent manner. In this study, AsA could not inhibit cytotoxicity, but AA-2P and AA-2G was able to cancel the harmful effect of UV-B when treated at high levels of 0.5-5 mM. These results indicate that the masking of the C-2 OH group may be an effective modification for AsA to inhibit UV-B-induced cytotoxicity in human keratinocytes.     

Imbalanced dietary ascorbic acid alters molecular pathways involved in skeletogenesis of developing European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

The influence of dietary ascorbic acid (AA) on growth and morphogenesis during the larval development of European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) was evaluated until 45days post hatching. Diets incorporated 0, 5, 15, 30, 50 or 400mg AA per kg diet to give AA-0, AA-5, AA-15, AA-30, AA-50 and AA-400 dietary treatments, respectively. Dietary AA levels lower than 15mg/kg reduced larval growth and survival was affected in specimens fed diets devoid of AA. Globally, disruption of the expression of genes involved in AA and calcium absorption in the intestine (SVCT-1, TRPV-6), skeletogenesis (BMP-4, IGF-1, RARγ) and bone mineralization (VDRβ, osteocalcin) were observed in groups fed doses lower and higher than 50mg AA/kg diet. Such disturbances detected at molecular level were associated with disruptions of the ossification process and the appearance of skeletal abnormalities.     

Enzymatic transformation of 2-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid (AA-2G) by immobilized α-cyclodextrin glucanotransferase from recombinant Escherichia coli

This work aims to produce 2-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid (AA-2G) from ascorbic acid and β-cyclodextrin with immobilized α-cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (α-CGTase) from recombinant Escherichia coli. Molecular sieve (SBA-15) was used as an adsorbent, and sodium alginate was used as a carrier, and glutaraldehyde (GA) was used as a cross-linker. The effects of several key variables on α-CGTase immobilization were examined, and optimal immobilization conditions were determined as the following: glutaraldehyde (GA, cross-linker) 0.01% (v/v), SBA-15 (adsorbent) 2 g/L, CaCl₂ 3 g/L, sodium alginate 20 g/L, adsorption time 3 h, and immobilization time 1 h. In comparison with free α-CGTase, immobilized α-CGTase had a similar optimal pH (5.5) and a higher optimal temperature (45 °C). The continuous production of AA-2G from ascorbic acid and β-cyclodextrin in the presence of immobilized α-CGTase was carried out, and the highest AA-2G production reached 21 g/L, which was 2-fold of that with free α-CGTase. The immobilization procedure developed here was efficient for α-CGTase immobilization, which was proved to be a prospective approach for the enzymatic production of AA-2G.     

Stability studies of ascorbic acid 2-glucoside in cosmetic lotion using surface response methodology

Ascorbic acid 2-glucoside (AA-2G) has been widely used in cream and lotion types of cosmetic products. Thus, the degradation of AA-2G caused by the temperature change and pH variation was very critical for determining the bio-functionality of cosmetics. Response surface methodology (RSM) was introduced to study the influence of temperature and pH on the stability of AA-2G. The optimal condition of retaining AA-2G with the highest stability was determined to be 55.3 °C and pH 6.4. The antioxidative activities of AA-2G including DPPH and ABTS free radical scavenging activities, metal chelating activity, and reducing ability were also determined. AA-2G was a good ascorbic acid derivative which could be used in cosmetic products as an active ingredient.     

Enzymatic transformation of 2-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid by α-cyclodextrin glucanotransferase from recombinant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>

The study aimed to produce 2-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2G) via the transglycosylation reaction by α-cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (α- CGTase) from recombinant Escherichia coli with L-ascorbic acid (AA) and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as the substrates. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis was conducted for AA-2G identification, and the glucoamylase treatment was carried out to produce AA-2G from AA-2-oilgosaccharides. The optimal temperature and pH for the enzymatic AA-2G production were 37°C and 5.5, respectively, and the optimal α-CGTase concentration and substrate mass ratio (AA:β-CD) for AA-2G synthesis were 160 U/mL and 1:1, respectively. At these optimal process conditions, maximal AA-2G production reached 13 g/L. This is the first report regarding the process optimization of enzymatic AA-2G production by α-CGTase from recombinant E. coli. The results may be useful for the industrial scale production of AA-2G.     

Monoacylation of 2-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid by protease in N,N-dimethylformamide with low water content

2-O-α-d-Glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid (AA-2G) laurate was synthesized from AA-2G and vinyl laurate with a protease from Bacillus subtilis in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) with low water content. Addition of water to DMF dramatically enhanced monoacyl AA-2G synthesis. Maximum synthetic activity was observed when 3% (v/v) water was added to the reaction medium. Under the optimal reaction conditions, 5-O-dodecanoyl-2-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid, 2-O-(6′-O-dodecanoyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl)-l-ascorbic acid, and 6-O-dodecanoyl-2-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid were synthesized in yields of 5.5%, 3.2%, and 20.4%, respectively.     

Functions, applications and production of 2-O-d-glucopyranosyl-l-ascorbic acid

Vitamin C (VC) is an essential nutrient that cannot be synthesized by the human body. Due to its extreme instability, various VC derivatives have been developed in an attempt to improve stability while retaining the same biological activity. One of the most important VC derivatives, 2-O-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2G), has attracted increasing attention in recent years with a wide range of applications in cosmetics, food, and medicine. In this mini-review, we first introduce the types and properties of different VC glycosyl derivatives. Next, we provide an overview of the functions and applications of AA-2G. Finally, we discuss in-depth the current status and future prospects of AA-2G production by biotransformation.     

The crystal structure and physicochemical properties of L-ascorbic acid 2-glucoside.

The stable L-ascorbic acid glucoside produced by the action of the cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase, EC 2.4.1.19) from Bacillus stearothermophilus was crystallized from an aqueous solution. Determination of the molecular structure by single crystal X-ray analysis showed the compound to be 2-O-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (AA-2G). The crystals are orthorhombic, space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell dimensions a = 11.929 A, b = 24.351 A, and c = 4.864 A. The D-glucopyranose residue has the 4C1 conformation. These conclusions are in good agreement with those based on the 13C-NMR spectrum. The general physicochemical properties of crystalline AA-2G are reported.