Stability of the B Vitamins in Mixed Parenteral Nutrition Solution

The effects of various light conditions such as fluorescent light, and indirect and direct sunlight on the stability of the water-soluble B vitamins in parenteral mixtures were studied. The levels of the B vitamins were determined by microbiologic assays and spectrophotometrically. Most of the B vitamins were found to be stable. However, indirect and direct sunlight destroyed 47 and 100%, respectively, of riboflavin-5-phosphate in eight hours. Direct sunlight destroyed 86% of pyridoxine HCl. There was no loss of folic acid in parenteral nutrition mixtures after storage for 7 wk. The microbiologic assays were found to be reliable to measure the levels of the B vitamins in parenteral nutrition solution.