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Send EmailFolic Acid, Vitamin B9, Folate, Acidum Folicum, Pteroylglutamic Acid, 59-30-3
FOLIC ACID (VITAMIN B9)
1. CHEMICAL IDENTITY AND DEFINITION
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Folic Acid |
| Other Names | Vitamin B9, Folate, Acidum Folicum, Pteroylglutamic Acid |
| CAS Number | 59-30-3 |
| EC Number (EINECS) | 200-419-0 |
| Chemical Formula | C₁₉H₁₉N₇O₆ |
| Molecular Weight | 441.40 g/mol |
| Appearance | Yellowish-orange crystalline powder |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water; soluble in alkalis |
| Vitamin Class | Water-soluble B vitamin |
2. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Yellowish-orange crystalline powder |
| Chemical Formula | C₁₉H₁₉N₇O₆ |
| Molecular Weight | 441.40 g/mol |
| CAS Number | 59-30-3 |
| Melting Point | ~250 °C (decomposes) |
| Solubility in Water (20°C) | ~1.6 mg/L (slightly soluble) |
| Solubility in Alkalis | Soluble |
| Solubility in Ethanol | Slightly soluble |
| Solubility in Acetone, Chloroform, Ether | Insoluble |
| pH (Aqueous Suspension) | ~4.0 – 6.0 |
| Color | Yellowish-orange |
| Heat Resistance | Darkens slowly when heated |
| Light Sensitivity | Sensitive to UV light |
| Stability | Stable in acidic and neutral conditions; degrades in alkaline conditions |
3. CHEMICAL STRUCTURE
Chemical Structure:
Folic acid consists of three chemical subunits:
-
Pteridine ring (2-amino-4-hydroxypteridine)
-
Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA)
-
Glutamic acid
IUPAC Name: (2S)-2-[[4-[(2-amino-4-oxo-1H-pteridin-6-yl)methylamino]benzoyl]amino]pentanedioic acid
SMILES: NC1=NC(=O)C2=NC(CNC3=CC=C(C=C3)C(=O)NC(CCC(=O)O)C(=O)O)=CN=C2N1
O
||
HN C NH₂
\ | /
\ | /
C — N
/ \
/ \
N C — CH₂ — NH — C₆H₄ — CO — NH — CH — (CH₂)₂ — COOH
| |
C COOH
/ \
N OH
4. FOLATE vs FOLIC ACID
| Property | Folate | Folic Acid |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Natural form | Synthetic form |
| Source | Found in foods | Supplements and fortified foods |
| Bioavailability | Lower (~50%) | Higher (~85-100%) |
| Absorption | Requires intestinal enzyme | Directly absorbed |
| Terminology | Natural B9 derivatives | Synthetic B9 form |
| Usage | Dietary intake | Supplements, pharmaceuticals, fortification |
5. FUNCTIONS IN THE BODY
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
| DNA and RNA Synthesis | Essential for cell division and genetic material synthesis |
| Amino Acid Metabolism | Converts homocysteine to methionine |
| Blood Cell Formation | Production of red blood cells |
| Cell Division | Especially for rapidly dividing cells (bone marrow, fetal tissues) |
| Immune System | Supports immune function |
| Neural Tube Development | Critical for fetal nervous system development |
6. HEALTH BENEFITS
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Amino Acid Synthesis | Contributes to blood formation and protein synthesis |
| Cell Division | Essential for cell division |
| Energy Metabolism | Reduces fatigue and exhaustion |
| Immune System | Supports normal immune function |
| Pregnancy Support | Contributes to healthy fetal development |
| Neural Tube Defect Prevention | Reduces risk of neural tube defects in babies |
| Heart Health | Supports cardiovascular health by regulating homocysteine levels |
| Anemia Prevention | Used in treatment of megaloblastic anemia |
7. FOLIC ACID DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Anemia | Megaloblastic anemia (fatigue, weakness, pale skin) |
| Mouth and Tongue | Swollen tongue (glossitis), mouth ulcers |
| Digestive | Diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss |
| Neurological | Depression, irritability, memory problems |
| Pregnancy | Risk of neural tube defects (spina bifida, anencephaly) |
| Immune | Reduced immune function |
8. FOOD SOURCES
8.1. Vegetables
| Source | Content |
|---|---|
| Spinach | High |
| Cabbage | High |
| Brussels Sprouts | High |
| Broccoli | High |
| Peas | High |
| Beans | High |
| Parsley | High |
| Mint | Moderate |
8.2. Fruits
| Source | Content |
|---|---|
| Orange | Moderate |
| Banana | Low-Moderate |
8.3. Animal Sources
| Source | Content |
|---|---|
| Liver | Very High |
| Kidney | High |
| Chicken | Moderate |
| Shellfish | Moderate |
| Eggs | Moderate |
8.4. Other Sources
| Source | Content |
|---|---|
| Yeast | High |
| Soybeans | High |
| Chickpeas | Moderate |
| Nuts | Moderate |
| Sesame Seeds | Moderate |
| Fortified Breakfast Cereals | High |
Cooking Note: Folate is water-soluble and heat-sensitive. Steaming or microwaving is preferable to boiling to preserve nutritional value.
9. RISK GROUPS
| Group | Reason |
|---|---|
| Pregnant Women | Increased folate need; neural tube defect risk |
| Breastfeeding Women | Increased requirement |
| Alcohol Dependents | Impaired absorption and storage |
| Malabsorption Patients | Celiac disease, Crohn's disease |
| Elderly Individuals | Reduced dietary intake and absorption |
| Dialysis Patients | Vitamin loss |
| Metformin Users | Drug reduces folate absorption |
| Anticonvulsant Users | Drugs affect folate metabolism |
10. DAILY REQUIREMENT
| Age Group | Daily Requirement (mcg DFE) |
|---|---|
| 0-6 months | 65 mcg |
| 7-12 months | 80 mcg |
| 1-3 years | 150 mcg |
| 4-8 years | 200 mcg |
| 9-13 years | 300 mcg |
| 14-18 years | 400 mcg |
| 19+ years | 400 mcg |
| Pregnancy | 600 mcg |
| Breastfeeding | 500 mcg |
(DFE = Dietary Folate Equivalents)
11. SAFETY AND TOXICITY
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Toxicity | Very low; excess excreted in urine |
| Oral LD50 (Rat) | > 5,000 mg/kg |
| Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) | Adult: 1,000 mcg/day |
| Side Effects | High doses may cause stomach upset, nausea, loss of appetite |
| B12 Interaction | High folate can mask B12 deficiency |
| Allergy | Rare |
12. GRADES OF PURITY
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| Food Grade | For dietary supplements and fortification |
| Pharma Grade | For pharmaceutical production (high purity) |
| Assay Values | 10%, 80%, 97.0 – 102.0% |
13. APPLICATIONS
| Sector | Application |
|---|---|
| Food Industry | Dietary supplements, vitamin complexes, food fortification |
| Pharmaceutical Industry | Tablet, capsule, and injection formulations |
| Animal Nutrition | Feed additive |
| Clinical | Anemia treatment, pregnancy supplementation |
14. STORAGE AND STABILITY
| Parameter | Information |
|---|---|
| Storage Conditions | Cool (15-25°C), dry, protected from light |
| Container Requirements | Tightly closed, light-proof |
| Protect From | Light, moisture, high temperature, oxidizing agents |
| Shelf Life | 24-36 months (with proper storage) |
15. REGULATORY STATUS
| Region / Authority | Status |
|---|---|
| EFSA | Daily reference intake established |
| FDA | Daily Value (DV) 400 mcg |
| Turkey | Approved as food supplement |
| Codex | Approved for food supplements and fortification |
16. OTHER NAMES AND SYNONYMS
| Type | Name |
|---|---|
| Turkish Names | Folik Asit, Vitamin B9, Folat, Pteroilglutamik Asit |
| English Names | Folic Acid, Vitamin B9, Folate, Pteroylglutamic Acid |
| CAS Number | 59-30-3 |
17. SUMMARY AND CRITICAL WARNINGS
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Product | Folic Acid (Vitamin B9) |
| CAS Number | 59-30-3 |
| Formula | C₁₉H₁₉N₇O₆ |
| Molecular Weight | 441.40 g/mol |
| Appearance | Yellowish-orange crystalline powder |
| Primary Function | DNA synthesis, cell division, pregnancy support |
CRITICAL WARNINGS
1. PREGNANCY: Folic acid supplementation is critical for healthy fetal development and significantly reduces the risk of neural tube defects. Recommended before conception and during early pregnancy.
2. B12 DEFICIENCY MASKING: High doses of folic acid can mask vitamin B12 deficiency. B12 levels should be monitored during long-term high-dose use.
3. COOKING: Folate is water-soluble and heat-sensitive. Steaming or microwaving is preferred to preserve nutritional value.
4. LIGHT SENSITIVITY: Folic acid is sensitive to UV light. Store in dark-colored containers, protected from light.
5. DRUG INTERACTIONS: Metformin, anticonvulsants, and methotrexate can affect folate metabolism. Patients on these medications should take supplements under medical supervision.
6. DAILY REQUIREMENT: Pregnant women require 600 mcg/day. High doses should not be taken without medical advice.
7. STORAGE: Store in a cool, dry, light-protected environment. Heat and moisture can cause degradation.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This Technical Data Sheet (TDS) is for informational purposes only and is prepared based on available technical data. This document is not a substitute for medical advice. For any health condition or suspected deficiency, consult a healthcare professional. For complete safety, storage, use, and regulatory compliance information, refer to the official documentation provided by the manufacturer/supplier.
