Search for Sources and Production of Ascorbic Acid in the Conditions of the Great Patriotic War (Based on Documents from the State Russian Archive in Samara)

The article, based on the documents permanently stored in the Russian State Archive in Samara, highlights the activities of Soviet research institutes and industrial enterprises during the Great Patriotic War in searching for sources, developing technologies and producing ascorbic acid, one of the most important components of the physiological processes of the human body. The author comes to the conclusion that the widespread introduction into everyday use and the establishment of mass industrial production of vitamin-containing extracts, concentrates, and foodstuffs was achieved thanks to the coordinated work of institutions subordinate to the People’s Commissariat of Food Industry of the USSR. This made it possible to preserve and strengthen the health of the Red Army soldiers in the diffi cult conditions of a protracted war.