Advances and challenges in sample preparation and analytical methods for water-soluble vitamins: Application in food, clinical, pharmaceutical samples

Abstract

This review provides a comprehensive analysis of advances and challenges in the sample preparation and analytical methods for determining water-soluble vitamins (WSVs) in foods, clinical, and pharmaceutical samples. WSVs, including vitamin C and B-complex vitamins, are essential for various physiological functions such as energy metabolism, immune response, and neurological health. The accurate analysis of these vitamins is crucial for ensuring nutritional adequacy and preventing deficiencies. The paper explores the different separation and extraction techniques, such as acid and enzymatic hydrolysis, solid-phase extraction (SPE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and Soxhlet extraction, highlighting their strengths and limitations. Analytical techniques like spectrophotometry, fluorometry, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and electrochemical methods are reviewed for their applicability in quantifying the WSVs. The review also addresses the challenges in WSV analysis in complex sample matrices, including vitamin stability, matrix effects, and method standardization, which impact the reliability of results. Furthermore, the revolutionary role of nanomaterials, particularly nanoparticles and quantum dots, in enhancing sensitivity for vitamin detection through colorimetric and fluorometric methods is discussed. Finally, different sample preparation and analytical techniques are employed for quantitative measurement of WSVs in foods (vegetables, fruits, and grains) clinical (urine, plasma, tears), pharmaceuticals (syrups, drugs) and metabolic studies. The review concludes by emphasizing the significance of these methodologies in improving the accuracy of WSV analysis, contributing valuable knowledge to the fields of nutrition, clinical and analytical chemistry and supporting public health strategies for preventing vitamin deficiencies.