Modelling the degradation kinetics of vitamin C in fruit juice in relation to the initial headspace oxygen concentration

► Influence of initial headspace [O2] on the oxidation of AA and the subsequent formation and breakdown of DHA is studied. ► A linear relationship was found between the first order AA degradation constants and initial headspace O2 concentrations. ► The results were validated using a commercial fruit juice. ► A tool is provided to predict the AA content in fruit juices at different stages during storage.