Opinion - (2025) Volume 14, Issue 6
Received: 01-Nov-2025, Manuscript No. VTE-26-180136;
Editor assigned: 03-Nov-2025, Pre QC No. P-180136;
Reviewed: 17-Nov-2025, QC No. Q-180136;
Revised: 24-Nov-2025, Manuscript No. R-180136;
Published:
29-Nov-2025
, DOI: 10.37421/2376-1318.2025.14.402
Citation: O’Neill, Katherine. ”Advancements in Vitamin and Mineral Quantification Techniques.” Vitam Miner 14 (2025):402.
Copyright: © 2025 O’Neill K. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Significant advancements in analytical methodologies have revolutionized the accurate and sensitive measurement of vitamins and minerals. These improvements are critical for a wide array of applications, ranging from nutritional assessment and food safety to clinical diagnostics and public health initiatives. The sophistication of modern analytical instrumentation, coupled with refined sample preparation techniques, allows for unprecedented precision in quantifying these essential nutrients and elements. One area of substantial progress lies in the field of mass spectrometry, particularly the adoption of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). This powerful technique has become indispensable for its high specificity and sensitivity, enabling the detection of analytes at very low concentrations. The continuous evolution of LC-MS/MS technology, including enhanced ionization sources and detector capabilities, further pushes the boundaries of analytical performance [1].
Complementing these instrumental advances are crucial improvements in sample preparation. Effective sample pretreatment is paramount, especially when dealing with complex matrices such as biological fluids, food products, and environmental samples. Modern techniques are designed to efficiently extract target analytes, remove interfering substances, and concentrate analytes to levels suitable for sensitive detection, thereby minimizing matrix effects [1].
Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) stands out as a cornerstone for mineral analysis. Its capability to simultaneously quantify a broad spectrum of elements with remarkable sensitivity and minimal spectral interferences has been a major asset. Innovations in sample introduction systems, such as desolvating nebulizers, and advancements in plasma generation and stabilization have collectively led to lower detection limits and a reduced susceptibility to matrix effects [2].
These ICP-MS innovations are particularly impactful for monitoring both essential and potentially toxic elements in various sample types. Accurate elemental profiling is indispensable for understanding human health, formulating dietary guidelines, and assessing environmental contamination. The precision offered by ICP-MS allows for subtle changes in elemental concentrations to be reliably detected, which is vital for early disease detection and public health surveillance [2].
When focusing on fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K), analytical challenges often arise from their lipophilic nature and potential instability. Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has emerged as the gold standard for their determination. Ongoing refinements in chromatographic separation, such as the development of novel stationary phases, and improvements in ionization efficiency continue to enhance the performance of these methods [3].
Crucially, the success of fat-soluble vitamin analysis hinges on rigorous sample preparation. Techniques for lipid extraction must be optimized to efficiently recover these vitamins while minimizing degradation. The use of antioxidants during sample processing may also be necessary to preserve the integrity of labile vitamin forms, ensuring the accuracy of the final quantification [3].
Water-soluble vitamins, including the B-complex vitamins and vitamin C, present their own unique analytical hurdles due to their inherent instability and high polarity. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with various detection methods, such as UV or electrochemical detectors, has been widely employed. However, LC-MS/MS is increasingly becoming the preferred approach due to its superior sensitivity and selectivity [4].
The validation of analytical methods for water-soluble vitamins is of paramount importance. Comprehensive studies assessing linearity, accuracy, precision, and stability are essential to guarantee the reliability of the obtained results. These validated methods are crucial for accurate food labeling, nutritional analysis, and reliable clinical diagnostics, where precise vitamin status assessment is vital [4].
Broader analytical strategies are also being explored to provide a more comprehensive understanding of vitamin and mineral status. Untargeted metabolomics, leveraging the power of LC-MS/MS, is emerging as a valuable tool for profiling a wide range of vitamin-related metabolites. This approach holds promise for discovering novel biomarkers of vitamin status and unraveling complex metabolic pathways, offering deeper insights into nutrient function and its role in health and disease [6].
Analytical methods for vitamin and mineral measurement have seen remarkable progress, driven by innovations in instrumentation and sample preparation techniques. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has become a pivotal technology, offering exceptional accuracy and sensitivity for a broad range of analytes. Its ability to differentiate and quantify compounds at trace levels has transformed fields reliant on precise nutrient analysis [1].
Improvements in sample preparation are equally critical. Advanced extraction and clean-up procedures are essential for dealing with complex matrices encountered in food, biological, and environmental samples. These methods are designed to isolate target compounds efficiently, reduce the presence of interfering substances, and enhance analyte concentration, ultimately contributing to the reliability of analytical results [1].
The application of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has significantly advanced the quantitative analysis of minerals. Its capacity to measure multiple elements simultaneously with high sensitivity and isotopic resolution makes it an indispensable tool. Developments in sample introduction and plasma technologies have led to lower detection limits and a reduction in matrix-induced effects, thereby improving the precision of elemental measurements [2].
These ICP-MS advancements are vital for public health and dietary guidance. Precise monitoring of essential minerals, as well as toxic elements, allows for better assessment of nutritional status and environmental exposure. The ability to detect elements at very low concentrations is crucial for understanding subtle physiological roles and potential health risks [2].
For fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins A, D, E, and K, analytical strategies often involve LC-MS/MS. This approach provides the necessary specificity and sensitivity to quantify these compounds in challenging matrices like food and biological tissues. Continuous improvements in chromatographic separation and mass spectrometry detection contribute to enhanced analytical performance [3].
Effective sample preparation is a cornerstone of accurate fat-soluble vitamin analysis. This includes optimized lipid extraction methods to ensure complete recovery of the vitamins and minimize degradation. The careful handling of samples, potentially including the use of antioxidants, is essential to preserve the integrity of these compounds throughout the analytical process [3].
Water-soluble vitamins, including B vitamins and vitamin C, pose specific analytical challenges due to their polarity and potential instability. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with UV or electrochemical detection remains a common technique, but LC-MS/MS is increasingly favored for its superior capabilities. Method validation for these vitamins is crucial for reliable outcomes [4].
Rigorous method validation for water-soluble vitamins encompasses assessing linearity, accuracy, precision, and stability. These comprehensive studies are indispensable for ensuring the trustworthiness of analytical data. This reliability is paramount for applications in food analysis, clinical chemistry, and nutritional research [4].
Innovative sample preparation techniques are also being developed to streamline mineral analysis. Methods like solid-phase extraction (SPE) and matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) aim to improve extraction efficiency, reduce solvent consumption, and simplify sample cleanup. These approaches are particularly beneficial for the trace mineral analysis in complex biological samples [5].
In addition to targeted analysis, untargeted metabolomics approaches are emerging for comprehensive vitamin profiling. These methods, typically utilizing LC-MS/MS, can uncover novel vitamin-related metabolites and pathways. This broader perspective offers deeper insights into vitamin metabolism, status, and function, moving beyond the analysis of individual vitamins [6].
This collection of research highlights significant advancements in analytical techniques for vitamin and mineral quantification. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) are identified as leading technologies due to their high sensitivity and accuracy. Innovations in sample preparation are crucial for overcoming matrix complexities and ensuring reliable results. Specific challenges and solutions are discussed for analyzing fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins, as well as minerals in various matrices including biological fluids, food, and infant formulas. Emerging trends like untargeted metabolomics offer a comprehensive view of vitamin profiles. Overall, these developments are critical for accurate nutritional assessment, food safety, and clinical diagnostics.
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