Composition and quality study of liposomal vitamin C supplements found in Lithuanian market

Abstract

Introduction Vitamin C is one of the most popular and used food supplement all around the world. During evolution humans have lost the ability to synthesize this vitamin and must acquire vitamin C from a diet that supplies 100 to 200 mg of vitamin C per day. It is well known that vitamin C is important for humans’ immune system. Additionally, the vitamin is necessary for healthy bone growth and wound healing, both of which are connected to ascorbic acid's function in the synthesis of collagen [1]. Liposomal food supplements draw more attention in pharmaceutical field every day due to its technology. Liposomal vitamin C supplements are no exception. Liposomes are a very efficient way to distribute drugs and supplements because a lipid bilayer makes up the small, hollow, spherical vesicles that has a great bioavailability. When consumed, the pharmacokinetic characteristics of liposome absorption take precedence over the supplement’s typical absorption pattern. That instance, when a medicine or supplement is enclosed inside a liposome, its delivery can be sped up even though it normally has a slower or controlled pattern of absorption, like vitamin C [2]. Studies have shown that taking liposomal vitamin C orally increased this vitamin levels in the blood more than taking a traditional form of oral vitamin C [3]. Following this interesting information we decided to perform quality and quantity study of liposomal vitamin C supplements in Lithuania market, to determine the quality of these products. [...]. Conclusion In conclusion, qualitative analysis of the studied liposomal vitamin C food supplements showed a reaction with silver nitrate and the formation of a gray precipitate, indicating the presence of researched substance in the preparations. The amount of liposomal vitamin C in the titrimetric method ranged from 43.6 % deficiency to 10.4 % excess. The results determined by the spectrophotometric method were slightly different and the amount of liposomal vitamin C in food supplements and varied from 33.3 % deficiency to 24.4 % excess. These findings demonstrated that the amount of liposomal vitamin C present in food supplements sold on the Lithuanian market differs from the amount stated on the label, resulting in a lower-quality product.