Vitamin B9 · Prenatal, Multivitamin & Fortification
Folic acid (vitamin B9, pteroylglutamic acid), the folate source in prenatal and iron-folic acid tablets, multivitamins, fortified flour and rice and feed premixes. Sourced by Chelora Pharmachem, Mumbai, and delivered across India with a batch COA and SDS.
How Buying Works
Send the quantity, grade (IP, BP, USP, EP, FCC or feed), delivery city and target date. Quote CAS 59-30-3 so there is no confusion.
Price, lead time and packing in one reply, with the specification, COA and SDS/MSDS for your QA team to review.
Samples can be arranged for assay checks, blend uniformity trials and vendor qualification before your commercial order.
Packed, labelled and sent with invoice, batch COA and transport documents. Repeat orders are planned with you.
Product Overview
Folic acid (vitamin B9, pteroylglutamic acid, pteroyl-L-glutamic acid; CAS 59-30-3) is the synthetic, fully oxidised form of the B vitamin folate. Its molecule joins three parts: a pteridine ring, 4-aminobenzoic acid and L-glutamic acid. It is a yellow to yellowish-orange crystalline powder that is practically insoluble in water, dissolves in dilute alkali, and is sensitive to light. Pharmacopoeias express its potency on the anhydrous basis, because the powder normally holds several per cent of water.
Folic acid matters because folate is needed for DNA synthesis and red blood cell formation. It is the folate source in prenatal supplements and iron-folic acid (IFA) tablets, which are taken around conception and in early pregnancy to help reduce the risk of neural tube defects, and in multivitamin tablets, capsules and syrups. Food producers add it to wheat flour, rice and other fortified foods, feed makers add it to vitamin premixes, and it is a standard component of cell-culture media.
As a chemical supplier in Mumbai, Chelora Pharmachem supplies pharmacopoeia-grade, food-grade and feed-grade folic acid to formulation, nutraceutical, food-fortification and premix manufacturers across India, with a batch-wise COA, SDS/MSDS and specification. We work with your purchase, QA and R&D teams on grade, assay and packing. Because the dose per tablet is only micrograms to a few milligrams, buyers often order it alongside other vitamins, such as Niacinamide (vitamin B3), for the same multivitamin or premix line.
In Depth
Folic acid is built from three units: a 2-amino-4-oxopteridine ring, a 4-aminobenzoic acid bridge and one L-glutamic acid residue, so it is a monoglutamate with a single chiral centre. It is a weak acid with two carboxylic acid groups, which is why it is practically insoluble in water and ethanol but dissolves readily in dilute sodium hydroxide or carbonate solutions.
Folic acid is not itself the active coenzyme. In the body it is reduced by the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase to dihydrofolate and then tetrahydrofolate, which carries one-carbon units for DNA synthesis, amino-acid metabolism and red blood cell formation. Because it is fully oxidised, it is far more stable on the shelf than the reduced natural folates found in leafy greens and pulses.
Commercial folic acid is made synthetically. In the classic route, 2,4,5-triamino-6-hydroxypyrimidine, a three-carbon reagent such as 1,1,3-trichloroacetone and N-(4-aminobenzoyl)-L-glutamic acid are condensed in water under controlled pH. The crude product is purified by dissolving it in alkali, treating with activated carbon, reprecipitating with acid, then filtering and drying to the required grade. Milling and sieving then set the particle size buyers ask for.
Prenatal, iron-folic acid and multivitamin tablets carry folic acid in microgram to low-milligram amounts per dose, so content uniformity is the main challenge. Formulators often use a fine, consistent particle size or a pre-diluted triturate to spread it evenly through the blend, and protect it from light, moisture and heat to limit loss of potency over the product’s shelf life.
Confirm the grade first (IP, BP, USP, EP, FCC or feed), then compare assay on the anhydrous basis, water content by Karl Fischer, the A256/A365 identification ratio, specific optical rotation, residue on ignition and related substances. Food, feed and nutraceutical users often add microbial limits and particle size. Ask for the COA and SDS of the actual batch you will receive.
Chelora Pharmachem supplies folic acid (CAS 59-30-3) from its centralized sales office in Mumbai to formulation, nutraceutical, flour and rice fortification and animal-feed premix manufacturers across India. Share the grade, quantity, packing and delivery location, and our team replies with price, lead time and documents, from small trial lots for R&D to regular bulk supply for production.
Global Sourcing
Our focus is the Indian market. When local supply is short, or you need a specific origin or pharmacopoeia grade, our international sourcing desk brings folic acid in from trusted producers abroad, and our Mumbai team handles import, documents and delivery to your plant.
Product Profile
The identifiers and properties purchase and QA teams ask for first. Batch values are always confirmed on the COA.
Identity
EC 200-419-0. Also sold as vitamin B9, pteroylglutamic acid or folacin.
Pteridine + 4-aminobenzoic acid + L-glutamic acid in one molecule.
Appearance
Yellow or yellowish-orange crystalline powder, nearly odourless. Sensitive to light.
Solubility
Practically insoluble in water and ethanol at 25 °C. Dissolves in dilute alkali and dilute acids.
Technical Data
Reference data for Folic Acid, useful when writing a specification, checking an SDS or planning storage and transport.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name | (2S)-2-[[4-[(2-Amino-4-oxo-3H-pteridin-6-yl)methylamino]benzoyl]amino]pentanedioic acid |
| Synonyms | Vitamin B9, pteroylglutamic acid, pteroyl-L-glutamic acid, folacin, folic acid hydrate (Ph. Eur.) |
| CAS number | 59-30-3 |
| EC number | 200-419-0 |
| PubChem CID | 135398658 |
| Molecular formula | C19H19N7O6 |
| Molar mass | 441.40 g/mol (anhydrous) |
| Appearance | Yellow or yellowish-orange crystalline powder; nearly odourless; degrades slowly on exposure to light |
| Melting point | About 250 °C, with decomposition |
| Boiling point | Not applicable; decomposes before boiling |
| Density | Not usually specified; bulk density depends on the grade and is reported on the COA where required |
| Water content | Typically 5.0–8.5% (Karl Fischer); potency is calculated on the anhydrous basis |
| Solubility in water | About 1.6 mg per litre at 25 °C (practically insoluble); slightly more soluble in boiling water |
| Other solvents | Practically insoluble in ethanol, acetone and diethyl ether; dissolves in dilute alkali hydroxide and carbonate solutions and in dilute mineral acids |
| pH | About 4.0–4.8 (100 g/L aqueous dispersion) |
| Specific optical rotation | About +18° to +22° (1% in 0.1 M sodium hydroxide, anhydrous basis) |
| HS code | 2936.29 |
| Transport | Generally not regulated as a dangerous good for road, sea or air; confirm with the batch SDS |
Literature values for reference. Supplied material is tested batch-wise and reported on the COA.
Applications
Folic acid is the folate source of choice for tablets, multivitamins, fortified staples and feed premixes, because it is stable, well defined and easy to dose.
The core folate ingredient in prenatal supplements, folic acid tablets and iron-folic acid (IFA) combinations used in maternal health and anaemia programmes. It is recommended around conception and in early pregnancy to help reduce the risk of neural tube defects, so dose accuracy matters.
Pharma API
Added to B-complex and multivitamin tablets, capsules, gummies, syrups and sachets, usually at microgram levels per dose. Formulators often blend it as a fine powder or pre-diluted triturate for content uniformity, and protect it from light and moisture during processing and in the final pack.
Supplement active
Millers fortify wheat flour, atta and maida with folic acid, usually through a vitamin-mineral premix dosed at the mill, so that bread, chapatis and bakery products carry added folate. Levels follow the fortification standards of the market, such as FSSAI standards in India.
Food fortification
Folic acid is one of the micronutrients in fortified rice kernels, which are made by extruding rice flour with a premix and then blended with ordinary rice. FCC or food-grade material with consistent assay and low microbial counts suits these premix and kernel makers.
Staple fortification
Feed-grade folic acid goes into vitamin premixes for poultry, pigs, aquaculture and other livestock, where folate supports growth, feed efficiency and reproduction. Premix makers usually dilute it onto a carrier, so particle size and flowability matter as much as assay.
Feed additive
Quality & Compliance
Every supply is backed by the documents your QA, regulatory and stores teams expect.
COA, batch-wise
Tests, limits and results for the exact batch you receive, shared before dispatch.
SDS / MSDS
Hazards, safe handling, storage, transport and first-aid measures for Folic Acid.
Technical data
Typical properties and the specification we supply against, to match with your in-house spec.
On request
Additional documents for vendor approval and audits can be arranged on request.
Safety & Handling
A short summary for stores, production and EHS teams. It does not replace the Safety Data Sheet supplied with every batch.
Folic acid is not classified as hazardous under GHS in the SDSs of major producers and suppliers, so it carries no pictogram or signal word. A few suppliers list mild irritation warnings. Check the SDS of the batch for the classification that applies.
Wear safety glasses, gloves and a dust mask where dust can form, and use local exhaust ventilation at weighing and blending points. Do not eat, drink or smoke while handling, and wash hands afterwards.
Keep containers tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated store, protected from light, heat and moisture, and away from strong oxidising agents. Do not store in direct sunlight.
Folic acid is generally not regulated as a dangerous good for road, sea or air transport, with no UN number required. Fine dust can form combustible mixtures with air, so avoid dust clouds and ignition sources.
Avoid raising dust, sweep or vacuum spilled material into closed containers for disposal, and keep it out of drains, soil and water courses. Dispose of waste as per local regulations.
PAN India Delivery
From our centralized sales office in Mumbai, we supply Folic Acid to buyers in every major manufacturing cluster.
MumbaiMumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Tarapur, Boisar, Pune and Aurangabad.
AhmedabadAhmedabad, Vadodara, Ankleshwar and Vapi.
HyderabadHyderabad and Visakhapatnam.
BaddiBaddi and Haridwar.
GoaPharma and chemical units across Goa.
BengaluruBengaluru and Chennai.
IndoreIndore, Pithampur and Sikkim.
Specification
A typical specification for pharmacopoeia-grade folic acid (IP / BP / USP / EP), with assay calculated on the anhydrous basis. Share your in-house, FCC or feed specification and we quote against it.
The Chemistry
Made
A triaminopyrimidine, a three-carbon reagent and N-(4-aminobenzoyl)-L-glutamic acid are condensed in water to build the pteridine ring and attach the side chain in one step. The crude acid is purified through alkaline solution, carbon treatment and acid reprecipitation.
Used
Tablets, capsules, fortified flour, rice kernels and feed premixes need only small amounts of folic acid per unit, so it is usually pre-diluted or finely milled and blended carefully for uniformity. In the body it is reduced to tetrahydrofolate, the active coenzyme.
Tested
Each batch is reported on a COA covering appearance, identification, assay on the anhydrous basis, water, optical rotation, residue on ignition and related substances, plus microbial limits where the grade calls for them, so your QC team can release it quickly.
Stored
Light breaks folic acid down into 4-aminobenzoylglutamic acid and pterin fragments, and heat and moisture speed up the loss. Keep drums closed in light-resistant packing, in a cool, dry store, and follow the SDS for handling and dust control.
Glossary
Terms you will meet on quotations, specifications and documents for Folic Acid.
FAQ
Anything else, call +91 98191 11179 or write to source@chelorapharmachem.com.
Request a QuoteFolic acid (CAS 59-30-3) is the folate source in prenatal supplements, iron-folic acid (IFA) tablets and multivitamins. It is also used to fortify wheat flour, rice and other foods, in vitamin premixes for animal feed, and in cell-culture media.
The CAS number is 59-30-3 and the EC number is 200-419-0. Its formula is C19H19N7O6 and its molar mass is 441.40 g/mol. Quoting the CAS number on your enquiry avoids confusion with folinic acid and L-methylfolate salts.
Folic acid is one form of vitamin B9. Vitamin B9 is the wider vitamin group, which also includes the natural folates in food. Folic acid, pteroylglutamic acid and folacin are names for the same substance, CAS 59-30-3.
Folic acid is the synthetic, fully oxidised form, which the body reduces to tetrahydrofolate. Folate refers to the natural reduced forms in food. L-methylfolate (5-MTHF, usually a calcium salt) is the reduced active form, a different substance with its own CAS number, specification and price.
Folic acid powder normally holds about 5–8.5% water, so pharmacopoeias calculate assay on the anhydrous basis. When you calculate the input quantity for a formulation or premix, correct for the water content and assay shown on the batch COA.
We supply pharmacopoeia grades to IP, BP, USP and EP, as well as FCC or food grade for fortification and feed grade for premixes, subject to availability. Tell us the grade and any particle-size or microbial requirement when you enquire.
Keep it in tightly closed, light-resistant containers in a cool, dry and well-ventilated store, away from direct sunlight, heat, moisture and strong oxidising agents. Follow the storage section of the SDS supplied with the batch.
Folic acid is generally classified under HS subheading 2936.29, which covers other vitamins and their derivatives, unmixed. Confirm the full national tariff code with your customs broker before import or export.
Folic acid is not classified as hazardous under GHS in the SDSs of major producers and suppliers, though a few list mild irritation warnings, and fine dust can form combustible mixtures with air. Read the SDS before handling, and use eye protection, gloves and dust control.
Folic acid is generally not regulated as a dangerous good for road, sea or air transport. Always check the transport section of the SDS supplied with the batch.
We provide a batch-wise Certificate of Analysis (COA), SDS/MSDS and specifications. Additional documents for vendor qualification can be arranged on request.
Yes. We handle requirements from samples and trial lots for R&D, formulation and vendor approval up to regular bulk supply for commercial production, subject to product availability.
We supply buyers across India, including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim, from our centralized sales office in Mumbai.
Email source@chelorapharmachem.com or source@cheloragroup.com, call +91 98191 11179, or use the enquiry form on this page. Include the quantity, grade, delivery location and target date.
Request a Quote
Tell us the quantity, grade and delivery location. Our centralized sales team replies with competitive pricing, lead time and documentation.
