Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic) Test

Method description

This is a microbiological method employing the organism Lactobacillus plantarum to determine calcium pantothenate or other free forms of pantothenic acid in vitamin concentrates and food products.

The ground, homogenized sample is dissolved or dispersed in double-distilled water. The pH is adjusted to 5.65 and the mixture is autoclaved at 121 – 123°C to extract pantothenate or other free forms of pantothenic acid. The extract is diluted with a basal medium containing all required growth nutrients for Lactobacillus plantarum except pantothenate. The mixture is then inoculated with the microorganism and incubated at 37°C for 22 hours. The growth response of the microorganism is compared quantitatively to that of known standard solutions of calcium pantothenate. The method is semi-automated, utilizing an automated pipettor system and an automated plate reader system.

Acceptable matrices

This method is applicable to cereal, fruit juices, nutritional supplements, and meal replacement beverages containing added calcium pantothenate and/or other free forms of pantothenic acid.

Unacceptable matrices

This method is not recommended for use on milk-based infant formulas and is not designed for use on vitamin concentrates.

Limit of quantitation

0.02 – 40,000 mg/100g

Equipment

Automated pipettor system
Automated plate reader system

Method reference

AOAC 945.74, AOAC 960.46, AOAC 992.07

Reportable unit

mg/100g

Sample size requirements

10 grams

Information required by submitter

Please supply an estimate with your sample.

Additional information

This test is ISO/IEC 17025 accredited through A2LA, Certificate # 2769.01.

This method is not designed for use on vitamin concentrates.