Retinol (Vitamin A1) — Reference Materials for Accurate Quantification

Retinol High-Purity Reference Materials for Confident Quantification

Ensure accuracy from sample to certificate with HPC Standards high-purity Retinol reference materials. Designed for reliable determination across food, feed, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and environmental matrices, our Retinol standards support robust HPLCLC-MSMS workflows, isomer integrity, and ISO-ready validation. Benefit from traceable certificates, defined uncertainty, and application-driven formats neat, ready-to-use solutions, esters, and isotope-labelled options. Rely on proven stability guidance and expert technical support to meet regulatory demands, verify label claims, and safeguard your quality system.

Product		Catalog No./ CAS No.	Quantity	Price
Retinol		677602 68-26-8	1X50MG	Please log in.

HPC Standards GmbH supplies high-purity reference materials for Retinol to support precise quantification in food, feed, dietary supplements, cosmetics, and environmental samples. Our materials are manufactured and tested according to international quality requirements to meet the highest industrial standards.

Overview

Retinol (vitamin A1) is a fat-soluble compound essential for vision, epithelial integrity, immune function, and development. In analytical contexts, Retinol occurs as all-trans and multiple cis isomers and is frequently present as esters (e.g., retinyl palmitate/acetate) in fortified foods and supplements.

Due to light/oxygen sensitivity and matrix interferences, high-quality reference materials are critical for accurate determination and method validation.

Chemical Identity and Properties

Synonyms: Vitamin A1; all-trans-Retinol

CAS: 68-26-8 | Molecular formula: C20H30O | Molar mass: 286.46 g/mol

Physical data: mp 62–64 °C; very low water solubility; highly sensitive to oxidation, light, and heat; multiple geometric isomers possible.

Biological Roles

Precursor to retinal (vision; 11-cis-retinal chromophore) and retinoic acid (nuclear receptor-mediated gene regulation). Functions in vision (rhodopsin cycle), epithelial maintenance, immune competence, reproduction, embryonic development, and red blood cell formation.

Uses and Applications

- Fortification of foods and feeds (often as retinyl esters).
- Dietary supplements for preventing or correcting vitamin A deficiency.
- Pharmaceutical uses in deficiency and measles adjunct therapy.
- Cosmetic ingredient (INCI: Retinol) in anti-aging formulations.

Regulatory

- Nutritional reference values (typical): RDA adults ~900 μg RAE/day (men), ~700 μg RAE/day (women); tolerable upper intake level (UL) commonly cited at 3,000 μg RAE/day for adults (region-specific).
- Labeling often expressed as Retinol Activity Equivalents (RAE) and/or IU (1 IU retinol ≈ 0.3 μg).
- Food fortification and supplement maximum levels are jurisdiction-dependent (consult EFSA, FDA, Codex, or local regulations).
- Cosmetics: subject to INCI labeling; permissible concentrations and warnings vary by market—verify current local legislation.

Monitoring

Target matrices: foods (dairy, infant formula, fortified products), feeds, dietary supplements, biological samples, and cosmetics. Routine monitoring verifies fortification levels, label claims, stability, and compliance with intake limits.

Health Impact

Human toxicity: Retinol is well tolerated at nutritional doses. Excess intake of preformed vitamin A can cause acute or chronic toxicity (e.g., hepatic effects, dry skin, headache, visual disturbances). Excess during early pregnancy is associated with teratogenic risk; avoid over-supplementation and follow medical guidance. Vitamin A deficiency leads to night blindness and xerophthalmia and increases infection risk.

Environmental Impact

Low water solubility and susceptibility to photodegradation/oxidation limit environmental persistence. Not a typical environmental priority pollutant; nonetheless, proper disposal of concentrates and formulations is advised to prevent localized impacts.

Safety Measures and Handling

Handle under reduced light and inert atmosphere where possible. Store cold and oxygen-protected to limit degradation and isomerization. Use amber glassware and antioxidant-stabilized solutions when appropriate. Follow standard laboratory PPE and chemical hygiene practices.

Analytical Methods

- HPLC-UV/Vis or FLD for routine quantification of all-trans-Retinol and retinyl esters (often at 325–350 nm).
- LC-MS/MS for enhanced selectivity/sensitivity and isomer/speciation analysis.
- Sample preparation may include saponification (for total vitamin A), extraction into nonpolar solvents, and addition of antioxidants (e.g., BHT) to minimize oxidation.
- Isomer stability: minimize light/heat exposure during prep and analysis to reduce trans–cis isomerization.

Method Validation Parameters

Establish linearity, sensitivity (LOD/LOQ), accuracy (recovery), precision, and measurement uncertainty using traceable reference materials. Include isomer integrity checks and evaluate matrix effects via matrix-matched calibration or standard addition.

Matrix Applications

- Foods and beverages: fortified products, dairy, oils, infant formula.
- Feed premixes and complete feeds.
- Dietary supplements: tablets, capsules, oil drops (retinol or retinyl esters).
- Cosmetics: creams, serums, emulsions containing retinol/retinyl esters.

Stability and Storage

Retinol degrades via oxidation and isomerization. Store reference materials refrigerated or frozen as specified, in amber containers under inert gas. Avoid repeated freeze–thaw; use aliquots. Monitor potency over time using stability-indicating methods.

Interferences and Pitfalls

Co-eluting lipophilic vitamins and carotenoids, matrix lipids, and exposure to light/oxygen can bias results. Employ guard columns, appropriate stationary phases, and antioxidant protection. Validate saponification conditions to prevent analyte loss.

Traceability and Quality

HPC Standards reference materials are produced and tested according to international quality requirements. Certificates include assigned purity/concentration, uncertainty, intended use, storage conditions, and shelf life to support ISO-compliant quality systems.

Reference Materials from HPC Standards

- Retinol neat and in solution (multiple concentrations) for calibration and system suitability.
- Retinyl ester reference materials for total vitamin A workflows.
- Stable isotope-labelled derivatives on request for isotope-dilution LC-MS/MS.
- Custom mixes and matrix-matched solutions tailored to your application.

Documentation and Support

Each reference material is supplied with a Certificate of Analysis and safety documentation. Technical support includes method guidance, stability advice, and assistance with regulatory and accreditation requirements.

Applications in Compliance

Our reference materials enable verification of label claims, fortification levels, specification checks in raw materials and finished products, and support for regulatory submissions and audits across food, feed, supplement, and cosmetic sectors.