DETERMINATION OF PANTOTHENIC-ACID IN INFANT MILK FORMULAS BY HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY

A reverse-phase liquid chromatographic method was adapted for the assa y of pantothenic acid in infant milk formulas. Sample preparation cons isted of deproteination with acetic acid and sodium acetate solutions, followed by centrifugation and filtration. The chromatographic system included a C-18 column and a mobile phase consisting of a sodium phos phate buffer and acetonitrile (97:3, vol/vol). The column effluent was monitored by UV detection at 197 nm. The system was linear from 50 to 800 ng. The recoveries of pantothenic acid from augmented samples ran ged from 89 to 98%, and the coefficients of variation ranged from 1.17 to 3.20%. The results obtained with the HPLC and a microbiological me thod were highly correlated for starting infant formula, followup infa nt formula, and formula for infants of low birth weight from four diff erent manufacturers. All formulas analyzed contained pantothenic acid at concentrations higher than those declared on their nutritional labe ls and were in compliance with international recommendations.