Vitamin B9 Folic Acid

Folic acid (CAS 59-30-3), also known as PteGlu, is a synthetic form of vitamin B9.

Where is Vitamin B9 Folic Acid used?

• Food and beverage: fortification of staple products such as flour, cereals and dairy alternatives to meet regulatory enrichment standards
• Supplements and nutraceuticals: tablet, capsule and powder blends for prenatal markets
• Pharmaceuticals: active ingredient in prescription and OTC formulations, including standalone B9 products and B-complex combinations
• Personal care: scalp and hair care formulations in the nutricosmetics segment
• It supplies the B9 activity required in finished dietary and therapeutic formulations.
• Contributes to homocysteine metabolism together with vitamins B6 and B12 and is included in B-complex formulations for high homocysteine conditions.
• Used to treat folic acid deficiency in conditions such as megaloblastic anemia, alcoholism, and malabsorption syndromes.

Good to know: Pharmaceutical grades (USP, BP, Ph. Eur.) are the most commonly specified for regulated applications; food-grade FCC is also standard.

Formulation notes

• May enhance the toxicity of fluorouracil (5-FU).
• Sulfasalazine decreases the absorption of folic acid, and dose adjustment may be necessary.
• Chloramphenicol inhibits the effect of folic acid, and dose adjustment may be necessary.
• Stable and economical folic acid is preferred for fortification and general supplements, while 5-MTHF (methylfolate) raises plasma folate more effectively in people with MTHFR polymorphism.

Typical specification

• Purity specification is 97.0% to 102.0%.
• Moisture content is ≤5.0%.
• Appearance is a yellow-orange powder.
• Very slightly soluble in cold water and hot water.

Regulatory status

• Permitted folate sources for fortification and supplements are pteroylmonoglutamic acid (folic acid), calcium-L-methylfolate and L-methylfolate glucosamine salt under EU 1925/2006 and the Turkish Supplement Foods Communiqué annexes.
• The Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) for folic acid is 200 µg under EU 1169/2011 Annex XIII.
• EFSA has authorized a health claim that additional folic acid intake increases maternal folate status and that low maternal folate status is a risk factor in the development of neural tube defects.
• The Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for synthetic folic acid is 1000 µg/day for adults (US FNB); this limit applies only to synthetic folic acid in fortified foods/supplements, not to food folate.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Should be stored at a temperature not exceeding 25 °C and kept in the original packaging.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.