TABLE E-2Methodologic Problems with Obtaining Food Composition Data for B Vitamins

ThiaminRiboflavinNiacinB6FolateB12Pantothenic AcidBiotinCholine
Are precise, accurate methods available?aSubstantial, acceptable qualitySubstantial, acceptable qualitySubstantial, acceptable qualitySubstantial, acceptable qualityConflicting, variable qualityConflicting, quality mootbConflictingLacking, being improvedSubstantial, acceptable quality
Is there good agreement in results using different methods?Fair when allowance is made for specificity differencesNo, see Gregory (1997), Martin et al. (1992), Pfeiffer et al. (1997), Tamura et al. (1997)cNo, tissue methods poorly developed—Insufficient comparisons to assessYes, but very limited experience
Over time, how have changes in methods affected estimates?None notedAbout the same or slightly lowerNone notedSlightly higher nowNew methods give somewhat higher results for some foods———Old estimates were too high, early assay not specific
a

Ratings for the B vitamins (but not for choline) are taken from Life Sciences Research Office/Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 1995. Third Report on Nutrition Monitoring in the United States. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.

b

Quality of data was rated moot if it was considered unlikely that improved data for that food component would make a difference in the assessment of nutrition-related health status and the assignment of nutrition monitoring priority status (LSRO/FASEB, 1995).

c

Gregory JF 3rd. 1997. Bioavailability of folate. Eur J Clin Nutr 51: S54–S59; Martin DC, Francis J, Protetch J, Huff J. 1992. Time dependency of cognitive recovery with cobalamin replacement: Report of a pilot study. J Am Geriatr Soc 40:168–172; Pfeiffer CM, Rogers LM, Gregory JF 3rd. 1997. Determination of folate in cereal-grain food products using trienzyme extraction and combined affinity and reversed-phase liquid chromatography. J Agric Food Chem 45:407–413; Tamura T, Mizuno Y, Johnston KE, Jacob RA. 1997. Food folate assay with protease, α-amylase, and folate conjugase treatments. J Agric Food Chem 45:135–139.

From: E, Methodological Problems Associated with Laboratory Values and Food Composition Data for B Vitamins

Cover of Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline
Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline.
Institute of Medicine (US) Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes and its Panel on Folate, Other B Vitamins, and Choline.
Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1998.
Copyright © 1998, National Academy of Sciences.

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