A spectrophotometric method for determining the amount of folic acid in fortified salt

Optimization of chromatographic conditions via Box‒Behnken design in RP-HPLC-PDA method development for the estimation of folic acid and methotrexate in bulk and tablets

Simultaneous estimation of folic acid and methotrexate in bulk and tablet dosage form by RP-HPLC-PDA was conducted via Box‒Behnken design application. Three-factor numerical values were finalized from the graphical and numerical optimization with built-in ANOVA in BBD. Sharp and symmetric peaks were observed at 4.138 and 6.929 min for folic acid and methotrexate, respectively. The mobile phase composition was methanol and 0.1% formic acid in water with a ratio of 31:69 and a flow rate of 1.1 ml/min. Both drugs were detected at a wavelength of 291 nm. The developed method was validated according to ICH guidelines. The results of the validation parameters were within acceptable limits. Stress stability studies have been performed under acidic, alkali, oxidation, neutral and photolytic conditions. Three different brand-marketed tablets were assessed with the developed method (MGXT, FOLTNAX and TRUXOFOL). In the tablet formulations, chromatogram percentages of folic acid and methotrexate were calculated at 99.13% and 99.50 in MGXT, 99.17% and 99.47 in FOLTNAX, and 99.91 and 100.05 in TRUXOFOL.

Sensitive and Stable Electrochemical Sensor for Folic Acid Determination Using a ZIF-67/AgNWs Nanocomposite

An electrochemical sensor using silver nanowires (AgNWs)-doped with a zeolite-like metal-organic framework (ZIF-67) was developed for highly sensitive and stable determination of folic acid (FA). The ZIF-67/AgNWs nanocomposite was prepared by a one-step reaction via a template method and drop-coated onto the surface of a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE) to form a ZIF-67/AgNWs@SPCE electrochemical sensing platform. The electrochemical square wave voltammetry (SWV) curve for this sensing platform was measured in an electrolyte solution containing FA under the optimum experimental conditions. The redox peak current of FA (I_FA) increased with increases in the FA concentration (C_FA). There was a linear relationship between I_FA and C_FA in the range of 0.1 μM to 10 μM, and the determination limit was 30 nM. The ZIF-67/AgNWs@SPCE was used as an electrochemical sensor for FA which maintained a good stability over 7 days and showed good determination performance in real samples with a high recovery rate (100.9-102.1%, n = 6).

Folic acid fortification of double fortified salt

The addition of folic acid to Double Fortified Salt (with iron and iodine) aims to simultaneously ameliorate three major micronutrient deficiencies in vulnerable populations. To make Triple Fortified Salt, we added folic acid to the iodine solution (first method) and the iron premix (second method) that are used to fortify salt with iron and iodine. When added through the solution, sodium carbonate was needed to dissolve folic acid and to adjust pH. Alternately, folic acid was added either to the iron core or sandwiched between the core and TiO₂ layer of the iron premix. Folic acid and iodine were stable in all cases, retaining more than 70% of the added micronutrients after six months at 45 °C/60-70% relative hu. Adding folic acid to the premix's iron core is preferred as folic acid retention was slightly higher, and the added folic acid did not impact the salt's colour. The additional cost for adding the micronutrients to salt is about 27¢/person per year. Folic acid in the fortified salt made with the preferred method was stable in cooking and did not affect selected cooked foods' sensory properties. The technology is a cost-effective approach for simultaneously combating iron, iodine, and folic acid deficiencies.

Quadruple fortification of salt for the delivery of iron, iodine, folic acid, and vitamin B12 to vulnerable populations

A process for simultaneous delivery of iron, iodine, folic acid, and vitamin B₁₂ through salt as a potential and holistic approach to ameliorate anaemia and reduce maternal and infant mortality is presented. Two approaches for adding folic acid and B₁₂ to salt during double fortification with iron and iodine were investigated. Attempts to add both micronutrients through the iodine spray solution were unsuccessful. Hence, folic acid was added through a stabilized iodine solution, and B₁₂ was added through the iron premix. Four approaches used to incorporate B₁₂ into the iron premix were investigated: (1) co-extruding B₁₂ with iron, (2) spraying B₁₂ on the surface of the iron extrudate, (3) adding B₁₂ to the colour masking agent, and (4) adding B₁₂ to the outer coating. Of these approaches, coextrusion (1) was the best, based on the ease of production and stability of fortificants. The salt formulated with the solid iron-B₁₂ premix and sprayed iodine and folic acid solution contained 1000 ppm iron, 50 ppm iodine, 25 ppm folic acid, and 0.25 ppm B₁₂. Over 98% of B₁₂, 93% folic acid, and 94% iodine were retained after 6-month storage in the best formulation. This technology can simultaneously deliver iron, iodine, folic acid, and vitamin B₁₂ in a safe and stable salt enabling public health measures for improved health at a minimal additional cost.

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The process developed simultaneously delivers iron, iodine, folic acid, and vitamin B₁₂ through salt.

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The chemistry of interaction among the micronutrients guided the process development.

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Iron and vitamin B₁₂ were added as encapsulated particles (premix), while iodine and folic acid were added as a solution.

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Vitamin B₁₂ and folic acid had different pH range requirements; hence, they were incompatible in solution.

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Of the four iron-B₁₂ premix designs evaluated, the coextrusion of iron and vitamin B₁₂ was the best design for the process.

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The additional cost of adding these micronutrients to salt is about $0.30 per year per person; hence, very cost effective.

Microparticles and microplastics contamination in African table salts

The presence of micro/plastic particles has been reported in various seafood products. However, information on microplastics contamination in salts from African continent is very limited. This study analysed 23 brands of table salts from 8 African countries for microplastics using microscopic/spectroscopic techniques. South Africa showed the highest microplastics concentration (0-1.33 ± 0.32 particles/kg), Nigeria, Cameroun, and Ghana (0-0.33 ± 0.38 particles/kg each); characterized as polyvinyl acetate, polypropylene, and polyethylene. Other countries have no detectable microplastics at 0.3 μm filter pore size. To our best knowledge, this is the first study to characterize micro-fibres/plastics in table salts across African countries, confirming that it is an emission source of micro-fibres/plastics into the human food chain, highlighting the overarching need to understand their effects on human health.