Folate (Folic acid) is one of the vitamin B complex, the equivalent of pteroylglutamic acid (pteroylglutamic acid, PGA). Mitchell (H.K.M itchell, 1941) extraction and purification from spinach leaves, so named folic acid. Have promote bone marrow cells mature, if the lack of folic acid can cause anemia of abnormal increase of immature cells and red blood cells and white blood cells. This is because the pyrimidine and purine folic acid involved in nucleic acid synthesis. In addition also as Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus casei) promote effective multiplication factor and other microorganisms. With vitamin M is the same material. Known in the derivatives of the PGA has played the same as the PGA, promote hematopoietic growth factor of substances, including folic acid polyglutamic acid, formyl derivatives, four hydrogen folic acid. Have led to the activity type folic acid found cheese factor and vitamin Bc complex, lactic acid bacteria in animals with folic acid to break down to form them Bc in combination with enzyme, is folic acid and ready-made equally effective.
Rhizopus poison factor (SLR) is considered to be leucovorin breakdown products, invalid to animals.
Quantitative completely folic acid with microbial methods [lactobacillus casei, Streptococcus faecalis R (Streptococcus faecalisR)]. Calculated from the animal test requirement for 0.1 0.2 mg a day.
Of huge red gemmule anemia and sprue has curative effect (1, 5 mg, with normal vitamin B12 and cast with).
Water, sulfanilamide, sunshine, estrogen, food processing (especially the boiling), high temperature. Ultraviolet ray can make folic acid solution is inactive, alkaline solution easy to oxidation, in acid solution on the thermal instability, reason should be shading, sealing preservation.