Miniaturized HPTLC of Vitamin B12 Compounds in Foods

Separation of some vitamins in reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography and pressurized planar electrochromatography with eluent containing surfactant

The separation of some water- and fat-soluble vitamins via micellar systems of reversed-phase high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) and pressurized planar electrochromatography (PPEC) was subjected to research. Hence, the influence of the mobile phase composition (surfactant and acetonitrile concentration, eluent buffer pH) on the migration distances and zone separation of some vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pyridoxine, cyanocobalamin, folic acid, ergocalciferol and α-tocopherol) was investigated. Our results indicated that the applied technique has an impact on the solute order. Comparing the system capacity of HPLC and PPEC (measured as height of the theoretical plate) for the mobile phase systems with and without surfactant shows differences, especially for fat-soluble vitamin. The variances and reproducibilities (% RDS) values of the vitamin are less in PPEC than in TLC. Moreover, the migration distances of water-soluble vitamins are longer than fat-soluble ones. Overall, eluent consisting of 50% acetonitrile, 18.75 mM SDS, the buffer of pH 6.99 via the PPEC technique was most appropriate for determining the investigated vitamins in the artificial mixture and the two commercially available vitamin combinations.

What is the cobalamin status among vegetarians and vegans in Australia?

Water-soluble vitamin B12 (cobalamin) plays a vital role in normal blood function and neurological functioning. Clinical and subclinical B12 deficiency has been notably reported in vegans, vegetarians, the elderly and metformin-treated diabetics. Currently, the prevalence of cobalamin deficiency among vegans and vegetarians in Australia is lacking; data on dietary intake including supplements and nutritional status are also limited. The increasing multiculturalism of Australia has seen an influx of imported foods, of which some may contain considerable vitamin B12. However, values for such foods are not included in the food composition databases. This review highlights the need to update the food composition database with culturally diverse foods containing vitamin B12. Moreover, the need for assessing dietary intakes and status using the most current best evidence and best practice on nutritional indicators (biochemical and functional biomarkers) to estimate the risk of deficiency and/or depletion is discussed.