Simultaneous determination of vitamin A and beta-carotene in dietary supplements by liquid chromatography

Several liquid chromatography (LC) methods for analysis of vitamin A in foods and feeds have been previously reported but only a few have been applied in non-food matrixes. A validated LC method is needed for determination of vitamin A and beta-carotene in the various matrixes presented by dietary supplements. The performance of a reversed-phase method with methanol-isopropanol gradient elution was evaluated with standard retinyl derivatives and beta-carotene. The reversed-phase method is capable of separating retinol from other derivatives such as retinyl acetate, retinyl palmitate, and beta-carotene. Two types of extraction were used to extract the analytes from the dietary supplements: a hexane-methylene chloride extraction for soft-gel capsules containing beta-carotene, and a direct solvent extraction for dietary supplements in tablet form. The direct solvent extraction consisted of treatment with ethanol and methylene chloride following addition of hot water (55 degrees C). Results with the reversed-phase method for vitamin A and beta-carotene in the products examined (n = 8) indicated excellent method performance. The main form of vitamin A or beta-carotene in dietary supplements was the all-trans isomer. The reversed-phase method avoids saponification and is rapid, accurate, precise, and suitable for simultaneous determination of retinyl derivatives and beta-carotene in dietary supplements.