Folic acid, also known as folate, is a B vitamin that can be found in a variety of fruits and vegetables.
- Can be chemically synthesized
- Water soluble
- Exhibits metal binding properties
Folic acid (Vitamin B9 and folate) is essential to numerous bodily functions. The human body needs folate to synthesize DNA, repair DNA, and methylate DNA as well as to act as a cofactor in certain biological reactions. It is especially important in aiding rapid cell division and growth, such as in infancy and pregnancy.
Folic acid (FA) and dihydrofolic acid (FAH2) are substrates of dihydrofolate reductase(s) which reduce them to tetrahydrofolate (THF), which in turn supports ‘one carbon’ transfer. Tetrahydrofolates are required for de novo synthesis of purines, thymidylic acid and various amino acids and for post-translational methylation (epigenetics).
Purity: >95.0%
Key Applications: Cofactors, Enzymes, Inhibitors and Substrates, Folic Acid Metabolism
Application Areas: Cell Biology & Analysis
Product Type: Biochemicals
Extinction Coefficient (E1%): 9.12, 25.1, 26.9 (0.1 M NaOH)(Lit.)
UV/Visible Absorbance: 256 ± 3 nm (0.1 N NaOH)
Presentation: Orange Powder
Format: Powder
pH: A suspension of 1 g folic acid in 10 mL water has a pH of 4.0-4.8. Aqueous solutions prepared with sodium bicarbonate have a pH between 6.5 and 6.8.
pKa: 8.26 (Lit)
Loss on Drying: <8.5%
Residue on ignition: <0.3%
Solubility: Very slightly soluble in cold water (0.0016 mg/mL at 25°C), soluble to about 1% in boiling water. Slightly soluble in methanol, appreciably less soluble in ethanol and butanol. Insoluble in acetone, chloroform, ether, benzene. Relatively soluble in acetic acid, phenol, pyridine, solutions of alkali hydroxides and carbonates. Soluble in hot dilute HCl and H2SO4.
Storage & Handling: Store at Room Temperature (15-30°C). Protect from light.