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Water-Soluble Vitamin Analysis

Vitamin C and B vitamins (B₁–B₁₂) by VitaFast® assay and HPLC / LC-MS/MS under ISO/IEC 17025 – covering total activity and vitamer-specific quantification.

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Vitamin C & B Vitamins – Where the Method Defines the Measurand

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Water-soluble vitamins support energy metabolism, one-carbon pathways, neurotransmitter synthesis and immune function. Because they cannot be stored, they must be supplied continuously through diet or supplementation. A key analytical distinction exists: microbiological assays measure total biologically active content, whereas HPLC / LC-MS/MS quantifies individual vitamer forms. These approaches may produce different results, especially in native, non-fortified products with protein-bound or matrix-associated vitamers.

We offer both methods in-house, enabling method comparison, cross-validation and matrix-appropriate method selection.

Parameter Portfolio

Complete coverage of water-soluble vitamins with primary analytical methods and key matrices.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)

Water-soluble antioxidant essential for immune function and collagen synthesis. Occurs in juices, fruits and fortified foods.

Methods: HPLC.

Common analytes: L-Ascorbic acid.

Vitamin B Complex (B₁, B₂, B₃, B₅, B₆, B₇, B₉, B₁₂)

Essential cofactors in energy metabolism and one-carbon pathways. Vitamers differ chemically and require form-specific detection.

Methods: VitaFast® (total biological activity), HPLC-FLD, LC-MS/MS.

Common analytes: B₁ (Thiamine), B₂ (Riboflavin), B₃ (Nicotinic acid + Niacinamide), B₅ (Pantothenic acid), B₆ (Pyridoxine, Pyridoxal, Pyridoxamine), B₇ (Biotin), B₉ (Folic acid), B₁₂ (Cobalamin).

Analytical Methods

Method selection is determined by analyte, matrix and required sensitivity.
Total Activity

VitaFast® Microbiological Assay

Microbiological determination of total biologically active vitamin content, including bound, entrapped and protein-associated vitamers. Method of choice for native, non-fortified products where physiologically active content is the relevant measurand.

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Vitamin C Forms & Select B-Vitamins

HPLC-DAD & HPLC-FLD

HPLC-DAD enables reliable UV-based identification and quantification, while HPLC-FLD provides enhanced sensitivity for fluorescent or derivatised compounds. Method selection depends on analyte properties to ensure accurate and robust results.

Vitamer-Specific

LC-MS/MS

High-selectivity mass spectrometry for vitamer-specific quantification (e.g., B₃ forms, B₅, B₆ vitamers, biotin, folate forms, cobalamin).

Analytical Interpretation

Key analytical considerations that influence how water-soluble vitamin results are evaluated and interpreted across different matrices.
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Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid & DHAA)

Essential antioxidant for collagen synthesis and immune defence. Analysis distinguishes ascorbic acid from DHAA, the oxidised form – relevant in processed and heat-treated products.

Typical applications: Stability studies, juices & fortified foods, shelf-life monitoring.

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Vitamins B₁–B₃ (Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin)

Key cofactors in energy metabolism. Detection depends on vitamer.

Typical applications: Fortified cereals, dairy, supplements, feed premixes.

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Vitamins B₅–B₇ (Pantothenic Acid, Pyridoxine, Biotin)

Metabolism-critical vitamers requiring LC-MS/MS due to polarity and low native levels.

Typical applications: Supplements, meat & fish products, nutritional declaration.

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Vitamins B₉–B₁₂ (Folic Acid, Cobalamin)

Analytically demanding vitamers requiring MS-based quantification; crucial in pregnancy nutrition, fortified foods and plant-based alternatives.

Typical applications: Infant formula, fortified flour, vegan products, potency testing.

Related Analytics

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Fat-Soluble Vitamin Analysis

Vitamins A, D₃, E and K by HPLC-FLD, HPLC-DAD and LC-MS/MS. Combine with water-soluble testing for complete vitamin profiling.

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Preservatives & Antioxidants

Ascorbic acid (E 300) serves dual functions as antioxidant additive and vitamin C. Where both roles apply, testing can be combined to reduce turnaround time.

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