Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)
Vitamins
Nutritional Enhancers
Colorants
83-88-5
E101
C₁₇H₂₀N₄O₆
$37.04 ~ $55.56
Food
Free sample from 100g(NF)
One unit of:20kg/carton
One unit of:20kg/carton
20kg/carton
Product Info
What is Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)?
Riboflavin is an essential water-soluble B vitamin used primarily as a nutritional supplement to fortify foods and beverages and as a natural yellow/orange food coloring agent (E101).
How is Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) made?
| Step No. | Production Stage | Key Action | Control Point & Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inoculum & Medium Preparation | Prepare a sterile fermentation medium (with sugars, nitrogen sources, etc.). Cultivate a pure seed culture of a high-yield microorganism (e.g., Ashbya gossypii, Bacillus subtilis). | Absolute sterility is critical to prevent contamination and ensure process efficiency. The medium composition is precisely controlled to maximize riboflavin yield. |
| 2 | Fermentation | Introduce the seed culture into a large-scale, sterilized fermenter. Allow the microorganism to grow and produce riboflavin over several days. | Continuously monitor and control pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and agitation. The broth will develop a characteristic intense yellow-orange color as riboflavin concentration increases. |
| 3 | Harvest & Cell Lysis | Once peak concentration is reached, the fermentation is stopped. The entire broth is heat-treated to kill the microorganisms and lyse the cells, releasing the riboflavin. | Harvest time is determined by regular sampling and analysis (e.g., HPLC). Heat treatment temperature and duration must be sufficient for cell lysis without degrading the vitamin. |
| 4 | Crystallization | The hot broth is cooled under controlled conditions. Due to its low solubility in cool water, the riboflavin crystallizes out of the solution. | The cooling rate is a key parameter that influences crystal size, purity, and yield. Slower cooling typically produces larger, purer crystals. |
| 5 | Separation & Washing | The solid riboflavin crystals are separated from the liquid using centrifugation or filtration. The collected crude crystals are washed with purified water. | Washing steps are crucial to remove residual fermentation media and other impurities. Purity is checked after washing cycles. |
| 6 | Drying | The purified, wet riboflavin crystals are dried into a fine powder, typically using a vacuum or spray dryer. | Drying temperature must be strictly controlled to prevent thermal degradation. Final moisture content must be below a specified limit (e.g., < 1.5%) for stability. |
| 7 | Milling & Sieving | The dried riboflavin is milled and sieved to achieve a uniform, specified particle size required for its final application. | Particle size distribution is a critical quality attribute affecting handling, flowability, and dissolution. |
| 8 | Quality Control & Packaging | The final product is tested against pharmacopeial standards (e.g., USP/EP) for purity, identity, heavy metals, and microbial contamination. It is then packaged in light-proof, airtight containers. | Final purity must be >98%. Packaging must protect the sensitive product from light, moisture, and oxygen to ensure shelf life and stability. |
Technical Specifications
| CAS Number | 83-88-5 |
| Chemical Formula | C₁₇H₂₀N₄O₆ |
| Solubility | Very slightly soluble in water; soluble in alkaline and sodium chloride solutions; slightly soluble in alcohol; insoluble in ether/chloroform |
| Storage Conditions | Cool, dry, dark, protect from light |
| Shelf Life | 24 Months |
Applications & Usage
Common Applications:
Fortification of cereals
breads
infant formula
animal feed
nutritional supplements
precursor of FMN/FAD coenzymes
Mechanism of action:
| Parameter | Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) |
|---|---|
| Functional Category | Colorant (E101); Nutrient Fortification Agent |
| Key Ingredients | Riboflavin (7,8-dimethyl-10-ribityl-isoalloxazine) |
| Mechanism of Action | The conjugated double bond system of the isoalloxazine ring structure inherently absorbs light in the blue-violet region of the visible spectrum (approx. 445 nm), causing it to appear yellow-orange. This chromophoric property imparts color without requiring a chemical reaction within the food matrix. As a nutrient, it is a precursor for the coenzymes FAD and FMN, which are essential for various redox reactions in cellular metabolism. |
| Application Effect in Product | Imparts a stable, bright yellow to orange-yellow color to products such as cereals, sauces, custards, beverages, and pasta. Increases the nutritional value by fortifying the food with an essential B vitamin. Its color is generally stable to heat and pH changes but is highly sensitive to degradation by light (photolysis). |
Comparison:
| Product Name | Category/Type | Key Features | Strengths (vs peers) | Weaknesses (vs peers) | Best Use Cases | Why Choose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) | Water-Soluble B Vitamin | Coenzyme in FAD and FMN; essential for energy production, cell function, and metabolism of fats and steroids. Antioxidant role. | Key for activating other B vitamins (B6, folate). Crucial for red blood cell production and iron metabolism. Less toxic in high doses than some B vitamins. | Easily destroyed by UV light. Deficiency is uncommon but can manifest as skin disorders, sore throat, and anemia. | Migraine prevention; treatment of ariboflavinosis (B2 deficiency); supporting energy metabolism and vision. | For specific use in migraine prophylaxis or to address deficiency symptoms like mouth sores, cracked lips, and anemia when other causes are ruled out. |
| Thiamine (Vitamin B1) | Water-Soluble B Vitamin | Coenzyme in carbohydrate metabolism; vital for nerve, muscle, and heart function. | Central and direct role in converting carbohydrates into energy. Deficiency (beriberi) has severe and distinct neurological and cardiac symptoms. | Body stores are minimal, requiring constant dietary intake. Deficiency can develop relatively quickly. | Treatment of beriberi and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, often associated with alcoholism or severe malnutrition. | Essential for conditions related to impaired carbohydrate metabolism or in high-risk populations for deficiency. |
| Niacin (Vitamin B3) | Water-Soluble B Vitamin | Component of NAD and NADP coenzymes, involved in over 400 enzymatic reactions including energy metabolism and DNA repair. | At pharmacological doses, can effectively lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides while raising HDL cholesterol. | High doses can cause uncomfortable skin flushing, stomach upset, and potential liver damage. | Treatment of pellagra (niacin deficiency); management of high cholesterol under medical supervision. | Chosen specifically for its lipid-modifying properties in a clinical setting or to treat a confirmed niacin deficiency. |
| Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) | Water-Soluble B Vitamin | Coenzyme in protein and amino acid metabolism, neurotransmitter synthesis, and red blood cell formation. | Crucial role in creating neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Widely used for nausea during pregnancy. | Excessively high, long-term intake can lead to severe nerve damage (sensory neuropathy). | Managing nausea and vomiting in pregnancy; treating B6 deficiency; supporting nervous system health and immune function. | To support protein metabolism, neurotransmitter function, or for managing specific conditions like pregnancy-related nausea. |
| Cobalamin (Vitamin B12) | Water-Soluble B Vitamin | Essential for neurological function, red blood cell formation, and DNA synthesis. Requires intrinsic factor for gut absorption. | The body can store it for years, so deficiency develops slowly. Critical for preventing irreversible nerve damage. | Absorption is complex and often impaired in older adults or those with GI disorders. Not present in plant foods, making deficiency a risk for vegans. | Treating pernicious anemia and B12 deficiency, especially in vegans, older adults, and individuals with malabsorption disorders. | Crucial for individuals on strict plant-based diets or with diagnosed absorption issues to prevent severe neurological and hematological disorders. |
Technical Documents
Available Documentation
Spec sheet & COA
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
MSDS available
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Quality assurance documentation
Technical Data Sheet
Detailed technical specifications