Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

Niacin, also traded as nicotinic acid or pyridine-3-carboxylic acid, is the free-acid form of vitamin B3. It is a white to off-white crystalline powder of molecular formula C6H5NO2 (molecular weight 123.11, CAS 59-67-6, EC 200-441-0) melting in the range 234-240 °C. Being a weak carboxylic acid with a pKa of 4.85, it is only sparingly soluble in cold water at approximately 18 g/L at 25 °C, but dissolves readily in boiling water and in dilute solutions of alkali hydroxides and carbonates; a saturated aqueous solution is distinctly acidic at around pH 2.7. In nutrition, niacin serves as a precursor of the coenzymes nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), which mediate hydrogen transfer in the metabolism of carbohydrate, fat and protein. Thovek supplies niacin against USP, Ph. Eur./BP, IP and FCC food-grade specifications. Typical limits are an assay of 98.0-102.0 % on the dried basis under USP and 99.5-100.5 % on the dried substance under Ph. Eur./BP, loss on drying not more than 1.0 % (105 °C, 1 h), residue on ignition or sulphated ash not more than 0.1 %, chlorides not more than 200 ppm and heavy metals not more than 10 ppm expressed as lead. Identity is established by infrared and ultraviolet absorption together with melting range, and assay by titration or HPLC. Fine milled powder is the standard offer; granular and direct-compression grades are available where flow and compressibility govern tabletting. Each batch is released against a certificate of analysis covering physico-chemical parameters, residual solvents and microbiological counts, with third-party verification arranged on request. The material is used in wheat flour, rice and salt fortification programmes, in vitamin and mineral premixes, in tablets, capsules and effervescent formats, in beverage and dairy fortification, and in poultry, livestock and aquaculture feed premixes. Because the free acid is poorly soluble and contributes acidity, formulators generally reserve it for dry blends and solid dosage forms and select nicotinamide where a neutral, freely water-soluble form of vitamin B3 is required. Consignments are prepared for export from India with certificate of analysis, MSDS, packing list and certificate of origin, and with halal, kosher, non-GMO, allergen and BSE/TSE-free declarations issued on request.