Screening for folic acid content in vitamin-fortified beverages

A method based on solid phase extraction (SPE), and followed by liquid chromatographic separation with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD), is presented as a useful analytical tool in quality control departments in the beverage industry for the determination of folic acid in fortified beverages such as milks, fruit nectars, isotonic drinks and yoghurts. These fortified beverages are recommended for pregnant women who need a higher consumption of this vitamin to avoid neural tube defects in the babies to be born. The results obtained with 11 commercial fortified beverages generally agreed well with those reported on the labels, what is key when there is a need to satisfy folic acid daily recommendations.