Quantification of riboflavin, flavin mononucleotide, and flavin adenine dinucleotide in human plasma by capillary electrophoresis and laser-induced fluorescence detection.
BACKGROUND
Riboflavin is the precursor of flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and FAD, which serve as cofactors for several redox enzymes. We have developed a capillary electrophoresis method for the determination of riboflavin and its two coenzyme forms in human plasma.


METHODS
Trichloroacetic acid-treated plasma was subjected to solid-phase extraction on reversed-phase columns. The analytes were separated by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography in uncoated fused- silica capillaries filled with borate buffer containing 50 mmol/L sodium dodecyl sulfate, methanol, and N-methylformamide. Native fluorescence was monitored at 530 nm, using an argon laser operating at 488 nm as excitation source.


RESULTS
The assay was linear over a concentration range of two orders of magnitude, and the limit of detection was far below physiological concentrations for all vitamers. The within-day and between-day coefficients of variation were 4-9% and 6-12%, respectively. The reference values (median, 5-95 percentiles) obtained by analyzing plasma from 63 healthy subjects were 8.6 nmol/L (2.7-42.5 nmol/L) for riboflavin, 7.0 nmol/L (3.5-13.3 nmol/L) for FMN, and 57.9 nmol/L (44.5-78.1 nmol/L) for FAD.


CONCLUSIONS
Capillary electrophoresis with laser-induced fluorescence detection allows determination of all riboflavin vitamers far below physiological concentrations. The method may become a useful tool for the assessment of riboflavin status in humans.
Hustad
S
S
Department of Pharmacology, University of Bergen, Armauer Hansens Hus, 5021 Bergen, Norway. steinar.hustad@farm.uib.no
Ueland
P M
PM
Schneede
J
J
D000328:Adult; D020374:Chromatography, Micellar Electrokinetic Capillary; D004355:Drug Stability; D005260:Female; D005486:Flavin Mononucleotide / Q000097:blood*; D005182:Flavin-Adenine Dinucleotide / Q000097:blood*; D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D007834:Lasers; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012256:Riboflavin / Q000097:blood*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D005182:Flavin-Adenine Dinucleotide; D005486:Flavin Mononucleotide; D012256:Riboflavin