Effect of Intralipid, amino acids, container, temperature, and duration of storage on vitamin stability in total parenteral nutrition admixtures.

This study was designed to determine the stability of certain vitamins added to total parenteral nutrition (TPN) admixtures with or without Intralipid iv fat emulsion and with each of four amino acid solutions stored in either glass bottles or plastic bags at either ambient room (25 degrees C) or refrigerator (5 degrees C) temperature for a 48-hr period. Riboflavin and folacin were not affected by the experimental conditions. The presence of Intralipid resulted in higher levels of vitamin E due to Intralipid's inherent vitamin E content; no other experimental conditions affected vitamin E. Thiamin levels decreased in admixtures containing the amino acid solution C and stored at 25 degrees C. Vitamin A levels were lower in admixtures stored in plastic but were maintained in admixtures containing Intralipid and stored in glass bottles at either temperature. Vitamin C levels were maintained in admixtures stored at 5 degrees C for all experimental conditions. The greatest vitamin C losses occurred in admixtures containing amino acid solutions C or D stored in plastic bags, or containing D stored in glass bottles at 25 degrees C.