Vitamins in health supplements

Vitamins are organic molecules important for human growth and health. Specifically, the human body requires 13 vitamins to stay healthy, each with a different biochemical function. Vitamins are divided into two groups, based on the way they break down once ingested. Water-soluble vitamins are not easily stored as they break down quickly upon ingestion. Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body for longer periods and on some occasions even for months. Only a few vitamins are synthesized in the body and in most cases, not in sufficient quantities. Therefore, regular intake is essential, especially of water-soluble vitamins, whether it is through a balanced diet or health supplements. At present, it is estimated that the global dietary supplement industry is growing by around 10 % and is worth $164 billion!

As consumers develop a greater interest in adopting healthy habits, pharmaceutical products are being fortified with vitamins on a more frequent level. Accurate measurement of vitamin levels in nutritional supplements and other foods is critical to ensure compliance with labelling requirements. In 2011, new information on vitamins was included in legislation. The vitamin contents declared on the label of food supplements must correspond to the end of the minimum durability date in the product. According to recommendations of the society of German chemist (GDCh), the tolerance for group 3 vitamins (A, D, E, folic acid, B12 and biotin) may be up to 30 % of the declared content while for group 2 vitamins (B1, B2, B6, pantothenic acid, niacin and C) it is up to 20 % of the declared content. Hence, it is necessary that manufacturers as well as Regulatory Authorities control vitamin contents.

R-Biopharm Rhône is the only supplier of an immunoaffinity column which allows multi-vitamin analysis in nutritional samples from a single extraction. Multi-analysis allows laboratories to process more samples, increasing turnover without increasing resources. The novel multi-vitamin immunoaffinity column, EASI-EXTRACT® MULTI-VIT B (LGE), eliminates sample matrix from reaching the detection system, reducing matrix effects and improving accuracy of results. The unique format immunoaffinity column has a 9 ml reservoir with no top frit which allows the sample to mix directly with the antibody gel within the column resulting in excellent recoveries and repeatability that meet strict laboratory performance criteria.

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