Folic acid (vitamin B9) is an essential water-soluble vitamin required for numerous biological processes, including DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation, bone marrow function, and healthy nerve activity. Because it plays a central role in cell division, folic acid is especially critical during periods of rapid growth such as fetal development. Despite being present in many foods, folic acid deficiency is widespread due to poor dietary intake, malabsorption conditions, increased physiological demand, or the use of medications that impair absorption. Deficiency can lead to fatigue, mucosal inflammation, anemia, neurological complications, and—in pregnancy—an increased risk of neural tube defects.
Clinically, measuring folic acid levels is important for diagnosing nutritional deficiencies, differentiating the cause of macrocytic anemia, assessing coronary artery disease risk through its relationship with homocysteine, and managing conditions such as chronic liver disease, dialysis dependency, alcohol abuse, and long-term antiepileptic therapy. Adequate folic acid status is also essential before and during pregnancy to prevent severe fetal abnormalities. Because folic acid deficiency and vitamin B12 deficiency can present similarly, evaluating both biomarkers together is recommended to avoid misdiagnosis and prevent irreversible neurological damage.
The Folic Acid test kit uses a microbiological assay to quantify total folic acid in serum. Lactobacillus rhamnosus, immobilized on the microtiter plate, exhibits folic-acid–dependent growth that is measured turbidimetrically after incubation. The resulting turbidity correlates directly with folic acid concentration, providing a reliable and sensitive tool for clinical diagnostics and research applications in human and veterinary medicine.
This product is manufactured in USA by Immundiagnostik AG.
