5-Methyltetrahydrofolate Content of Cereal-Based Processed Foods

Improving periconceptional folate status reduces the risk of neonatal neural tube defects. Therefore, increased folate intake is recommended before and during the early stages of pregnancy through folic acid supplements or fortified foods. Folates also have a role in prevention of other diseases such as Cardiovascular, Cancers, Alzheimer [1]. Folates exist in a variety of forms related to the parent compound folic acid (pteroylglutamic acid, PGA) and each possesses different biological activity. Folic acid is produced synthetically and is only found in fortified foods and supplements [2]. The most common forms of naturally occurring folates found in foods are 5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid (5-MeTHF), tetrahydrofolic acid (THF) and 5-formyl tetrahydrofolic acid (5CHOTHF). Of these 5-MeTHF is the predominant folate vitamer found naturally in foods [3]. Folic acid, found in fortified foods, lacks coenzyme activity and must be reduced to the metabolically active tetrahydrofolate form with in the cell [1].