Folic Acid Microtiter Plate Assay
Folic Acid Microtiter Plate Assay manufactured in Germany by Immundiagnostik
Size: 1×96 wells
Sensitivity: 0.04 µg/L
Dynamic Range: 0.04 – 0.32 µg/L
Incubation Time: 48 hours
Sample Type: Serum
Sample Size: 100 µL
Controls Included
Assay Background
Folic acid, a water-soluble, light and temperature sensitive vitamin of the B complex (vitamin B9), is involved in all growth and development processes of the body. Folic acid is essential for the formation of red blood cells, for optimal functioning of the bone marrow and for healthy nerve activity. Moreover, folic acid is essential for cell division, therefore it is important in fetus development.
Although most plant and animal-based foods contain folic acid, a deficiency of folic acid is the most widespread vitamin deficiency in Europe and North America. According to information from the German Nutritional Society (Deutschen Gesellschaft für Ernährung) only one in four patients absorb sufficient folic acid – the result of one-sided nutritional habits with little fresh fruit and vegetables. But also age, disease and the influence of specific medications, e.g. Cotrimoxazol, may lead to resorption disturbances and to an associated deficiency.
Lowered folic acid levels occur because of:
• a decreased supply (e.g.through alcoholism or folic acid antagonists),
• a disrupted resorption (e.g.in celiac disease, CED),
• an increased requirement (e.g.during pregnancy,in anaemic or cancerous diseases).
Symptoms of Deficiency
The first symptoms of deficiency are weariness, irritability, concentration problems and loss of appetite; further consequences are inflammation of the mucous membranes, anaemia and grievous neurological damage. During pregnancy – when the folic acid requirement sare doubled – a deficiency in folic acid may lead to premature birth and severe abnormalities.An optimal supplementation of folic acid during the pregnancy can reduce the risk of neural tube defects in the foetus by 85%. Because a deficiency of either vitamin B12 or folic acid may lead to megalobastic anaemia,the determination of both vitamins is important for the clinical picture so that the correct vitamin may be supplemented.Otherwise,in the case of vitamin B12 deficiency,treatment of megaloblastic anaemia with folic acid may lead to irreversible damage of the central nervous system.
Related Products
Biotin Microtiter Plate Assay
Vitamin B12 Microtiter Plate Kit
Pantothenic Acid Microtiter Plate Assay
