CAS · 134-35-0
Product Overview
5-Methyltetrahydrofolic acid is a high-purity a-api supplied for industrial and specialty chemical applications. Contact our team for specifications, packaging options and lead times.
Product Specifications
| Appearance: | White to yellow powder |
|---|---|
| Purity (HPLC): | 97.5% min |
| Identification (HPLC): | The retention time of the major peak in the chromatogram of the sample preparation corresponds to that of the major peak in the standard preparation. |
| Water (KF): | 12% max |
| Heavy metals: | 20 ppm max |
| Residue on ignition: | 0.2% max |
Applications
1. Nutraceutical and Dietary Supplement
● Primary Active Folate Form:
5-Methyltetrahydrofolic acid丨CAS 134-35-0 is the biologically active form of folate (vitamin B9) found in circulation and involved in numerous metabolic pathways. Unlike synthetic folic acid, it does not require enzymatic conversion via the MTHFR enzyme to become active, making it highly effective, especially for individuals with MTHFR gene mutations.
● Prenatal Supplements:
Often included in prenatal vitamins to support fetal neural development and prevent neural tube defects such as spina bifida and anencephaly.
● General Folate Supplementation:
5-MTHF is used in multivitamins and standalone supplements to address folate deficiency, support homocysteine metabolism, and maintain cardiovascular health.
2. Medical and Pharmaceutical Use
● Treatment of Folate Deficiency:
Prescribed in medical settings for patients with folate deficiency anemia, malabsorption syndromes, or increased folate requirements due to pregnancy, chronic illness, or certain medications.
● Adjunct in Psychiatric Treatments:
5-MTHF has shown promise as an adjunctive therapy in depression and other mood disorders, especially in individuals with low folate levels or impaired folate metabolism. Some clinical trials suggest it enhances the efficacy of antidepressants.
● Cardiovascular Health:
It plays a crucial role in the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine, helping reduce elevated homocysteine levels, a known risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
3. Functional Foods and Fortified Products
● Folate-Enriched Foods:
Used in the fortification of cereals, infant formulas, and other food products, 5-MTHF offers an active and bioavailable form of folate that is readily absorbed and utilized by the body.
● Preferred in Functional Nutrition:
Compared to folic acid, 5-MTHF is more bioavailable, less likely to mask vitamin B12 deficiency, and does not accumulate as unmetabolized folic acid in the bloodstream, which has been associated with adverse effects.
Benefits
1. Bioavailability and Safety
● Highly Bioavailable:
5-MTHF is absorbed efficiently and enters circulation directly, avoiding the metabolic bottleneck faced by folic acid at the MTHFR enzyme step.
● Suitable for Genetic Variants:
Especially beneficial for individuals with MTHFR polymorphisms (such as C677T), which impair the conversion of folic acid to its active form.
● Lower Risk of Overexposure:
Unlike synthetic folic acid, 5-MTHF does not accumulate in the bloodstream, minimizing the risk of masking vitamin B12 deficiency or interfering with immune function.
2. Neurological and Cognitive Health
● Neuroprotection:
Folate plays a crucial role in neurodevelopment, neurotransmitter synthesis, and methylation reactions. Supplementation with 5-MTHF supports cognitive health, especially in elderly individuals and those with psychiatric or neurodegenerative conditions.
● Mood Regulation:
It contributes to the production of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters involved in mood balance, which is why it's explored in treating depression and anxiety.
3. Cardiovascular Support
● Homocysteine Regulation:
By converting homocysteine to methionine, 5-Methyltetrahydrofolic acid丨CAS 134-35-0 helps maintain healthy homocysteine levels, lowering the risk of stroke, heart disease, and blood vessel damage.
● Methylation Support:
Folate is a key player in the methylation cycle, which impacts gene expression, detoxification, and many other biological processes critical to health and longevity.
4. Fetal and Maternal Health
● Neural Tube Development:
Adequate intake of 5-MTHF during pregnancy is vital for proper brain and spinal cord development in the fetus, preventing birth defects and supporting maternal well-being.
● Safe for Supplementation:
5-MTHF is considered safer and more effective than folic acid for pregnant women, especially those with genetic variants or a history of complications.
Conclusion
5-Methyltetrahydrofolic acid丨CAS 134-35-0 is the active form of folate with superior bioavailability, stability, and clinical effectiveness compared to synthetic folic acid. It plays a vital role in DNA synthesis, homocysteine metabolism, neurotransmitter production, and cellular methylation, making it crucial for maternal health, cardiovascular function, and neurological balance. With growing recognition of the limitations of folic acid, especially for individuals with MTHFR mutations, 5-MTHF is emerging as the preferred folate source in supplements, functional foods, and medical applications.
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Conclusion
A concise summary and suitability assessment for this product is available on request. Contact our team to discuss whether it fits your process and quality requirements.