Effects of formulation variables and storage conditions on light protected vitamin B12 mixed parenteral formulations

A simple and rapid RP-HPLC method for the assessment of cobalamin (vitamin B12) in tilapia and snoek fishes

This study developed a rapid reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) method equipped with a UV-Vis detector. The aquaponics system›s tilapia and marine snoek fishes were extracted using an autoclaving process and enzymatic treatment. The technique enabled the separation and quantification of cobalamin present in these fishes extracts. Phenomenex Luna® 5 μm C18 (2) 100 A LC-column (150 × 4.6 mm) was used as a stationary phase, while the mobile phase consisted of methanol and phosphoric acid in a ratio of 35:65 (v/v), respectively. The developed method was revealed to be rapid (a retention time of less than 5.0 min), linear (R2 = 0.9988), sensitive (limits of detection and quantification showed to be 0.0004 and 0.0011 μg/mL, respectively), precise (percentage relative standard deviation of 0.14% to 0.76%), and accurate (percentage mean recovery of 87.44 ± 0.33% to 97.08 ± 0.74%). The quantified concentrations of this vitamin in extracts of tilapia and snoek fishes were found to be 08.95 ± 0.35 and 14.97 ± 0.04 μg/mL, respectively. Therefore, we suggested that the developed RP-HPLC technique could be applicable for quality control evaluation in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Besides, the method could be vital for diagnostic analysis in clinical laboratories.

The efficiency of ultrasonic-assisted extraction of cyanocobalamin is greater than heat extraction

Cyanocobalamin, like other water-soluble vitamins, is susceptible to degradation due to exposure to heat, UV, oxygen and pH. Built on our previous finding, this study aimed to assess the extraction efficiency of cyanocobalamin from dietary supplements. Particularly, cyanocobalamin extraction in a 100 °C water bath was compared with ultrasonic-assisted extraction, with and without the addition of 1 mg/L sorbitol, xylitol and erythritol. Ground defatted samples of supplement tablets were initially treated for 15 min, centrifuged and filtered before quantitative HPLC analysis. Addition of sorbitol and xylitol significantly minimised the thermal degradation during extraction in a 100 °C water bath, as shown in measured cyanocobalamin (~145 μg/tablet) that was higher than the control (100 μg/tablet, p < 0.05). Despite the addition of sugar alcohols, mean cyanocobalamin in ultrasonic extracted samples (~170 μg/tablet) was not significantly different from those without (p > 0.05). Overall, mean cyanocobalamin in sonicated samples was higher than heat-extracted counterparts, suggesting that extraction in a 100 °C water bath was likely to cause thermal degradation. It was possible that ultrasonic-assisted extraction had no effect on cyanocobalamin stability and would lead to a higher extraction efficiency. Therefore, 15 min extraction in an ultrasonic bath can be suggested to be adequate to release cyanocobalamin before its quantitative determination.

Comprehensive and quantitative profiling of B vitamins and related compounds in the mammalian liver

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A validated method for quantification of 13 B vitamins and four related compounds in sheep liver.

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Limits of detection for the majority of analytes were within the range of 0.4–3.2 pmol/g.

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Simple sample extraction procedure with high throughput.

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Successfully applied to profile 1C major forms in 266 sheep liver samples.

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Potential for dietary and genetic studies in metabolic health and epigenetic gene regulation.

A method for the simultaneous quantification of B vitamins and related amines in one-carbon (1C) metabolism would benefit the study of diet and genetic/epigenetic regulation of mammalian development and health. We present a validated method for the simultaneous quantitative analysis of 13 B vitamers and four related 1C-pathway amine intermediates in liver using hydrophilic interaction chromatography (HILIC) coupled to electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Frozen sheep liver samples (50 mg) were homogenized in cold 50% acetonitrile containing 1% acetic acid with the addition of two isotope labelled internal standards. Hot acid hydrolysis was applied to release the protein-bound forms. The separation of 17 analytes was achieved using a pHILIC column with a total run time of 13 min. Detection was achieved in electrospray positive ionisation mode. Limits of detection for the majority of analytes were within the range of 0.4–3.2 pmol/g. The method was applied to 266 sheep liver samples and revealed that adenosylcobalamin, methylcobalamin, pyridoxic acid, flavin adenine dinucleotide and thiamine were the major forms of the B vitamers present with pyridoxal 5′-phosphate and thiamine pyrophosphate being detected at lower concentrations. Trimethylglycine and methylglycine were the predominant 1C-related amines measured. As anticipated, the B vitamin status of individuals varied considerably, reflecting dietary and genetic variation in our chosen outbred model species. This method offers a simple sample extraction procedure and provides comprehensive coverage of B vitamins coupled with good sensitivity and reliability.

Vitamins in cell culture media: Stability and stabilization strategies

Nowadays, chemically defined cell culture media (CCM) have replaced serum- and hydrolysate-based media that rely on complex ingredients, such as yeast extracts or peptones. Benefits include a significantly lower lot-to-lot variability, more efficient manufacturing by reduction to essential components, and the ability to exclude components that may negatively influence growth, viability, or productivity. Even though current chemically defined CCMs provide an excellent basis for various mammalian biotechnological processes, vitamin instabilities are known to be a key factor contributing to the variabilities still present in liquid CCM as well as to short storage times. In this review, the chemical degradation pathways and products for the most relevant vitamins for CCM will be discussed, with a focus on the effects of light, oxygen, heat, and other CCM compounds. Different approaches to stabilize vitamins in solution, such as replacement with analogs, encapsulation, or the addition of stabilizing compounds will also be reviewed. While these vitamins and vitamin stabilization approaches are presented here as particular for CCM, the application of these concepts can also be considered relevant for pharmaceutical, medical, and food supplement purposes. More precise knowledge regarding vitamin instabilities will contribute to stabilize future formulations and thus decrease residual lot-to-lot variability.

Analytical Investigation of the Possible Chemical Interaction of Methyldopa with Some Reducing Carbohydrates Used as Pharmaceutical Excipients

Purpose: Assessment of drug substance and excipients compatibility is an important issue during pre-formulation studies as well as the quality control of pharmaceutical dosage forms. In this study, potential incompatibility between methyldopa and reducing excipients was evaluated using physicochemical methods.

Methods: Dextrose and lactose (anhydrous & monohydrate) were selected as reducing carbohydrates. The initial incompatibility was studied with DSC and FTIR on binary mixtures with 1:1 mass ratio. Results were confirmed using HPLC studies coupled with mass spectrometry.

Results: The DSC curves indicated the elimination of the melting endotherm of methyldopa in the binary mixtures. A new peak at 1719 cm-1 was observed in the FTIR spectra that can be attributed to the loss of type one amine functionality. The m/z of the proposed compound was observed in the mass spectra.

Conclusion: The potential incompatibility of Methyldopa with reducing carbohydrates was established using physicochemical methods.

Influence of Moderate High-Pressure Homogenization on Quality of Bioactive Compounds of Functional Food Supplements

Current interest in health has led to an increase in demand for functional food supplements as well as in industry concern for maintaining the bioactive compounds of such foods via the application of new technologies. In this study, we evaluated the effect of moderate high-pressure homogenization (HPH) treatments (80 and 120 MPa) versus thermal treatment (80°C, atmospheric pressure) on the functional bioactive compounds from four different functional supplements stored under accelerated conditions (40°C  ±  2°C and 75%  ±  5% relative humidity) for 6 months. HPH proved to be a better alternative than thermal treatment for functional supplements containing heat-sensitive compounds such as vitamin C, vitamin A, and unsaturated fatty acids (10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid). The proanthocyanidin, cynarin, chlorogenic, and iron contents, however, were not initially affected by HPH treatments. The storage time caused important reductions in the majority of the compounds studied (mainly in vitamins C, B12, and A), although the lowest decrease was found in the HPH samples. The food matrix had an important effect on the final functional composition and required the optimization of HPH treatments for each functional food supplement. HPH is a recommended alternative to thermal treatment for functional food supplements, in particular when they are rich in thermolabile bioactive compounds.

Efficacy and Physicochemical Evaluation of an Optimized Semisolid Formulation of Povidone Iodine Proposed by Extreme Vertices Statistical Design; a Practical Approach

One of the most significant issues in pharmaceutical industries, prior to commercialization of a pharmaceutical preparation is the "preformulation" stage. However, far too attention has been paid to verification of the software assisted statistical designs in preformulation studies. The main aim of this study was to report a step by step preformulation approach for a semisolid preparation based on a statistical mixture design and to verify the predictions made by the software with an in-vitro efficacy bioassay test. Extreme vertices mixture design (4 factors, 4 levels) was applied for preformulation of a semisolid Povidone Iodine preparation as Water removable ointment using different PolyEthylenGlycoles. Software Assisted (Minitab) analysis was then performed using four practically assessed response values including; Available iodine, viscosity (N index and yield value) and water absorption capacity. Subsequently mixture analysis was performed and finally, an optimized formulation was proposed. The efficacy of this formulation was bio-assayed using microbial tests in-vitro and MIC values were calculated for Escherichia coli, pseudomonaaeruginosa, staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans. Results indicated the acceptable conformity of the measured responses. Thus, it can be concluded that the proposed design had an adequate power to predict the responses in practice. Stability studies, proved no significant change during the one year study for the optimized formulation. Efficacy was eligible on all tested species and in the case of staphylococcus aureus; the prepared semisolid formulation was even more effective.