Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)

Folic acid, pteroyl-L-glutamic acid or vitamin B9, is the fully oxidised synthetic folate used in supplements and in mandatory flour and cereal fortification programmes worldwide. CAS 59-30-3, molecular formula C19H19N7O6, molecular weight 441.40. Thovek supplies it as a yellow to yellowish-orange crystalline powder assaying 97.0-102.0% on the anhydrous basis to USP, 96.0-102.0% on the anhydrous substance to Ph. Eur./BP and 95.0-102.0% to FCC. Water content by Karl Fischer runs 5.0-8.5%, sulphated ash is limited to 0.2% under Ph. Eur. and residue on ignition to 0.3% under USP and FCC, with lead not more than 2 mg/kg on food-grade material. Folate acts as the carrier of one-carbon units in nucleotide synthesis and amino acid metabolism, which places it in prenatal blends, B-complex and general multivitamin formulations, and in cereal, flour, rice and beverage fortification premixes. The powder is practically insoluble in water and in most organic solvents; it dissolves in dilute acids and in dilute alkali hydroxide and carbonate solutions, so liquid dosage forms and fortificant solutions are normally built from an alkaline pre-solution. Folic acid is sensitive to light, to oxidation and to acidic conditions, so drums are kept closed and light-protected and formulators commonly allow a processing overage where heat, extrusion or long shelf life is involved. Since inclusion sits at microgram level, milled or pre-diluted grades are specified for blend uniformity. Material is released against a certificate of analysis covering identification, assay, water, residue on ignition, related substances, lead and heavy metals, and microbiological limits, with residual solvents and elemental impurities available on request. Export files include MSDS, non-GMO and allergen statements, BSE/TSE declaration and halal or kosher certification where the site is certified. The correct Indian export classification is ITC-HS 29362910, the specific folic acid (vitamin B9) line under subheading 2936.29.