Analysis of Vitamins

Importance of the Topic

Vitamins are vital micronutrients that support cell synthesis, bone and tooth integrity, blood formation, and immune function. Insufficient vitamin intake can lead to serious health disorders, making accurate analysis essential for food safety, dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and animal feed quality control.

Study Overview

This application note from LCTech presents two complementary post-column derivatization systems coupled with HPLC-FLD for efficient vitamin analysis. The UV photochemical derivatization module (UVE) targets vitamin B3 (niacin), while the Pinnacle PCX system enables quantification of vitamins B1, B5, B6, B7, and C.

Methodology and Used Instrumentation

Both approaches rely on high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection after post-column derivatization.

• UVE Photochemical Module: Installed between the HPLC column and detector, this UV reactor generates fluorescent derivatives of niacin without complex hardware modifications.
• Pinnacle PCX System: A professional, pulse-free post-column derivatization unit that adds reagents for the sensitive detection of thiamine, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, and dehydroascorbate.

Main Results and Discussion

Implementation of photochemical and chemical derivatization significantly lowers detection limits and enhances signal specificity. The UVE module offers straightforward operation and minimal upkeep, while the Pinnacle PCX delivers consistent baselines, matrix robustness, and automated rinsing for uninterrupted workflows.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Key advantages include:

• Seamless integration with existing HPLC systems.
• Marked sensitivity improvements for trace vitamin detection.
• Low maintenance and reliable performance suitable for routine analyses.
• Automated cleaning (Pinnacle PCX) and multiple safety features (UVE) reduce downtime.

Future Trends and Potential Applications

Future developments may incorporate enhanced automation, miniaturized reactors, and coupling with mass spectrometry to expand detectable analyte range. The creation of universal derivatization chemistries could further extend applications to other vitamins and bioactive compounds in complex matrices.

Conclusion

The combination of LCTech’s UVE and Pinnacle PCX derivatization modules with HPLC-FLD provides rapid, sensitive, and reliable workflows for vitamin analysis. These systems support diverse sample types, streamline laboratory operations, and ensure high-quality data for research and quality control.

References:

• LCTech GmbH, Photochemical Derivatization with UVE Module, Application Note, 2017.
• LCTech GmbH, Pinnacle PCX Post-Column Derivatization System, Product Information, 2017.