Saccharides, a class of organic materials, are potential candidates for nonlinear optical applications. Ascorbic acid is a sugar acid and is classified as a monosaccharide. The molecule of ascorbic acid has two chiral centers and, therefore, four stereoisomers. Among them, two are naturally occurring compounds; L-ascorbic acid and D-isoascorbic acid. From these two acids various salts and other derivatives could be synthesized. In this thesis, four compounds of the ascorbic acid family were selected for detailed study based on their nonlinearity, chemical and physical stability and their crystallization characteristics. The thesis is organized into seven chapters. The first chapter covers the theoretical background of nonlinear optics, especially, second harmonic generation. Second chapter details the experimental techniques and methodology adopted. Chapter 3 discusses the crystal structure, growth, physical and nonlinear optical properties of Lithium Disoascorbate monohydrate (LDAM). Detailed analysis of refractive index measurements employing Brewsters angle method and determination of phase matching curves, effective nonlinear coefficient, walk off angle etc are given. In Chapter 4, investigations on Sodium D-isoascorbate monohydrate (NDAM) are presented. Detailed characterization of the crystals including thermal, optical, dielectric properties are carried out. Analyses of dielectric dispersion based on Cole-Cole equation are discussed. Comprehensive studies on laser damage of the crystals are discussed. Chapter 5 discusses the nonlinear optical properties of the monoclinic D-isoascorbic acid (DIA). Chapter 6 presents studies on the triclinic Lithium L-ascorbate dihydrate (LLA) crystals. The crystals exhibit intense non-collinear second harmonic rings as they possesses large birefringence coupled with high second order nonlinear coefficients. The SHG conversion efficiency of these crystals is 15 times that of KDP. In the final chapter, a comprehensive summary of the work carried out is presented along with scope for further investigations.