Effect of ascorbic acid on the serum folic acid estimation.

Ascorbic acid added to the basal medium increased the growth response of Lactobacillus casei in folic acid standards. The effect in the serum extracts was not marked, resulting in lowered serum folic acid estimations. However, results obtained on prolonged incubation were similar whether ascorbic acid was added or not. The presence or absence of ascorbic acid and variation of the incubation period may account for differences in reported normal ranges of serum folic acid levels.