Oral administration of different formulations of ascorbic acid to the horse

The absorption of crystalline ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, ascorbyl stearate and a formulation of ascorbic acid was investigated in six mature Thoroughbred horses following oral administration. It was found that ascorbyl palmitate gave both highest plasma concentrations and greatest area under the curve (AUC) for ascorbic acid. Least variation between animals also occured for this preparation. No apparent absorption was seen in some animals given ascorbic acid or ascorbyl stearate.