Determination of folic acid in food supplements by spectrophotometry

Purpose: To evaluate folic acid quantity by spectrophotometrical method, in food supplements sold in Lithuania. Objectives: 1. Conduct a review on supply of notified folic acid supplements and registered medicaments in Lithuania. 2. Choose the conditions of spectrophotometric methodology for determintion of folic acid quantity in food supplements. 3. Compare the spectrograms of folic acid in food supplements. 4. Compare the quantities of folic acid in food supplements. Methods: Method of the research –spectrophotometric analysis. The spectrograms of six folic acid food supplements are analyzed. Three of these supplements are used to determine quantity of folic acid, the absorbance is measured at 283 nm wavelength. Data analysis was performed using microsoft office excel 2010. Results and conclusions: 1. According to SMCA and SFVS lists of products, review of folic acid preparations showed that majority of these preparations are made in European Union, most of these preparations are multicomplex and in tablet or capsule dosage unit, with Vit. B12 (78,38 % ), Vit. B6 (64,84 % ), Vit. C (43,24 % ) and iron (40,54 % ). Majority of folic acid preparations in market are sold as tablets or capsules, most common dosage in unit is 400 μg folic acid 2. A qualitative analysis of folic acid in food supplements has showed that spectrograms of three samples(no. 1, no. 2, no. 3 ) corresponds to spectrogram of folic acid standart. The spectrograms of other 3 samples (no. 4, no. 5, no. 6 ) did not correspond to spectrogram of folic acid standart, evaluation of these samples with Vit. B6 and potato starch showed that these substances in food supplement influence the quantity determination of folic acid 3. The Spectrophotometrical method is suitable for quantity determination of folic acid in single active component food supplements without starch 4. Quantitative spectrophotometrical analysis of food supplements with folic acid has been performed. The results shows: closest to declared quantity was in Sample no.1 – 97,06 % . and Sample no. 2 -95,47 %. Only Sample no. 3 , exceeded declared quantity by 13,16 %. Samples are in the range of tolerance and meets the requirements of European commision