High-performance liquid chromatography determination of potential content of vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) in resins, oils, dry concentrates and multivitamin formulations.

The determination of potential vitamin D concentrations in raw materials and in multivitamin formulations by high-performance liquid chromatography is reported. Simple experimental conditions allow the rapid separation of the vitamins from their respective pro- and pre-vitamins, from their irradiation side-products and from some of their overirradiation products. Vitamin extraction is performed directly from dry concentrates, tablets and capsules, without saponification; all procedures are carried out at room temperature so as to preserve the ratio of vitamin D and pre-vitamin D present in the prepatation. The relative standard deviation is less than 1.5%.