Quantification of biotin in feed, food, tablets, and premixes using HPLC-MS/MS.

Two sensitive and specific methods for quantification of biotin in feed, food, tablets, and premixes based on HPLC-MS/MS have been developed and validated. Depending on sample matrix and biotin content different extraction procedures and HPLC conditions were applied. Key steps in sample preparation were an alkaline extraction or a hydrolysis with sulphuric acid followed by enzymatic digest with papain. For many samples with low biotin content the latter combination of extraction steps was shown to be necessary for an optimal release of biotin from the matrix. The first time synthesis of deuterated biotin for use as internal standard allowed the compensation of losses during sample work-up and ion suppression during HPLC-MS/MS analysis. The new methods are faster than the commonly used microbiological assay using Lactobacillus plantarum. Additionally, they have a higher specificity as results for biotin are based on determination of a chemically defined compound, and not of a biological activity. Quantification is applicable to samples with a biotin content >100 microg/kg. Results obtained with the new methods have been compared with those of the microbiological assay, and were in good agreement.

Method for the determination of beta-carotene in supplements and raw materials by reversed-phase liquid chromatography: single laboratory validation.

A single laboratory validation (SLV) study was conducted for a liquid chromatography (LC) method for the determination of total and all-trans-beta-carotene in a variety of dietary supplements, including multivitamin tablets, softgels, capsules, and beadlet raw materials. Extraction variants were developed for the different types of supplements tested based upon the supplement type and level of beta-carotene. Water dispersible formulations such as powders, emulsions, tablets, and capsules were enzymatically digested with protease and extracted with dichloromethane-ethanol. Oily suspensions were directly dissolved in dichloromethane-ethanol. After appropriate dilution or concentration, the extracts were chromatographed by using either a reversed-phase C18 column or, in products containing high amounts of alpha-carotene, a reversed-phase C30 column. The LC systems provided linear responses in the range of 0.1-50 microg beta-carotene/mL. The main geometrical isomers of beta-carotene (all-trans, 9-cis, 13-cis, and 15-cis) were well separated from each other and from other carotenoids such as a-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene, and zeaxanthin. Duplicate determinations of total beta-carotene performed by 2 technicians in 8 different test materials on 5 different days resulted in relative standard deviations of 1.2-4.4%. Recoveries determined for supplements and beadlet raw material spiked with beta-carotene levels of 10 microg to 100 mg/test portion and 0.2-40%, respectively, ranged from 97.5 to 102.1%. On the basis of the accuracy, precision, and recovery results from the SLV study, the method is suggested for a collaborative study on the determination of total and all-trans-beta-carotene in dietary supplements.