Vitamin C B5 and B9 Binding to Proteins Under Various Conditions
Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Owen McDougal, Boise State University
Presentation Date
7-2025
Abstract
The supplement industry has been growing in size and popularity recently, reaching 192.2 billion dollar global valuation as of 2024(Polaris Market Research). Supplements that are high in protein and micronutrients such as vitamins C, B5, and B9 are increasingly popular because they support the consumer’s goal of overall health. To support consumer’s goals, it is important to design the best supplements that provide the most nutritional value for the least cost. In this research project, the binding of vitamins C, B9, and B5 to whey protein concentrate (WPC) and βeta-lactoglobulin (B-LG) was examined. We analyzed the particle size distribution, zeta potential, and the polydispersity index (PDI) of the three vitamins mixed with WPC or B-LG at 3 different pH levels. The binding of vitamins to B-LG led to an increase in size, zeta potential, and PDI. We did not observe this trend in the WPC matrix. Overall, this shows that the binding characteristics of B-LG and WPC mixed with vitamins C, B9, and B5 are pH dependent and other components may impact the overall characteristics of the system. These effects may impact the formulation of supplements for consumers.
Vitamin C B5 and B9 Binding to Proteins Under Various Conditions
The supplement industry has been growing in size and popularity recently, reaching 192.2 billion dollar global valuation as of 2024(Polaris Market Research). Supplements that are high in protein and micronutrients such as vitamins C, B5, and B9 are increasingly popular because they support the consumer’s goal of overall health. To support consumer’s goals, it is important to design the best supplements that provide the most nutritional value for the least cost. In this research project, the binding of vitamins C, B9, and B5 to whey protein concentrate (WPC) and βeta-lactoglobulin (B-LG) was examined. We analyzed the particle size distribution, zeta potential, and the polydispersity index (PDI) of the three vitamins mixed with WPC or B-LG at 3 different pH levels. The binding of vitamins to B-LG led to an increase in size, zeta potential, and PDI. We did not observe this trend in the WPC matrix. Overall, this shows that the binding characteristics of B-LG and WPC mixed with vitamins C, B9, and B5 are pH dependent and other components may impact the overall characteristics of the system. These effects may impact the formulation of supplements for consumers.